The phrase may have originated in scriptural references, or from incidents such as this reported by Eusebius (Bk V of History) describing the persecution in Lyon in 177, in which he refers to literal crowns, and also brings in an athletic metaphor of the "victor's crown" at the end:
The phrase may have originated from sacred texts or from incidents such as this reported by Eusebius (Bk V of History) describing the persecution in Lyon in 177, where he refers to literal crowns and also uses an athletic metaphor of the "victor's crown" at the end.