The crown of life. Paul, will use the expression in 2 Timothy 4:8, as the crown of righteousness. It is the same thing. It simply means that God, by grace, awards us the final part of the inheritance, and brings us into that heavenly glory that he has prepared for us that we shall receive at death. And one day we all together enter into the inheritance at the return of Christ and the resurrection of our bodies. But God has appointed that entrance through our trials.1
Joseph A. Pipa
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.