Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 2:19

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?" — 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (ASV)

Paul’s rhetorical questions tie the Thessalonians into his anticipation of the Lord Jesus’ coming and presence. They will bring him joy and be a victor’s wreath for him to glory in at that future moment of truth. As always with Paul, this is a boasting or glorying in what God has done (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:31), not in personal accomplishment (Romans 3:27; Romans 4:2; cf. 2 Corinthians 1:14).

Interrupting his own question, he anticipates the answer: “Is it not you?” This is Paul’s answer to those who said he did not care for the Thessalonian Christians. The future event Paul is looking toward is identical with the appearance of every Christian before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), where our works will be evaluated. Because of his converts’ spiritual attainments, Paul feels that this will be an occasion of joy and victory.

“When he comes” translates the literal meaning—“in [or at] his presence [or coming].” The noun is parousia (GK 4242), a word that in secular Greek sometimes meant a ruler’s visit and in the NT applies to the return of Jesus Christ. The various facets of this future visit are defined by the contexts in which parousia appears. In this instance it is Jesus’ examination of his servants subsequent to his coming for them (4:15–17) that is in view.