1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

[19] For  what  hope,  or  joy,  or  crown  of rejoicing?  Are not  even  in the presence  Lord  Jesus  at  his  coming?  [20] For  glory  and  joy. 

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul"s words for his converts here are especially affectionate. His love for the Thessalonians was unusually strong. Their development was what he hoped for, their glorification was what he rejoiced in, and their ultimate victory would be a crown of glory for him. That Isaiah , the Lord"s commendation for Paul"s ministry to the Thessalonians would be as a crown to him that would make him justifiably proud when the Lord returned. Paul was talking like a father again (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:11). Looking at the end of his ministry Paul said he would take the greatest pride in those believers. They would be his "crowning glory."
Believers" CrownsTitleReasonReferenceAn Imperishable CrownFor leading a disciplined life 1 Corinthians 9:25A Crown of RejoicingFor evangelism and discipleship 1 Thessalonians 2:19A Crown of RighteousnessFor loving the Lord"s appearing 2 Timothy 4:8A Crown of LifeFor enduring trials James 1:12; Revelation 2:10A Crown of GloryFor shepherding God"s flock faithfully 1 Peter 5:4
"The glory of any teacher lies in his scholars and students; and should the day come when they have left him far behind the glory is still greater. A man"s greatest glory lies in those whom he has set or helped on the path to Christ." [1]
"The future event Paul is looking toward is identical with the appearance of every Christian before the bema ("judgment seat") of Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:10), where the works of every Christian will be evaluated. Because of his converts" evident spiritual attainments, Paul feels that this will be an occasion of joy and victory." [2]
"Parousia [3] comes from two words: "to be" and "present." It may point to the moment of arrival to initiate a visit or it may focus on the stay initiated by the arrival. In the NT the word 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 ( 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) that is in view." [4]
". . . the formerly pagan Thessalonians probably understood the parousia of Christ in terms of the visits of the imperial rulers of Rome. These rulers were increasingly being thought of as the manifestations of deities who required elaborate ceremonies and honors when they visited the various cities of the Empire." [5]
Paul at this time evidently expected his ministry to end with the return of Christ rather than by his own death ( 1 Thessalonians 2:19). This is one of many evidences that Paul and the other early Christians believed in the imminent return of Christ. Nothing had to occur before His return. This perspective strongly suggests that Paul believed in the pretribulational rapture of the church.
How could Christ"s return at the Rapture be imminent in view of the Lord"s statement that Peter would grow old ( John 21:18) and His promise to Paul that he would visit Rome ( Acts 23:11)? Concerning God"s promise to Peter, "when you grow old" ( John 21:18) is a very general description of what lay ahead for Peter. Peter could have undergone confinement and died at any time after Christ"s ascension and one could say he had grown old. About the promise Paul received, the assumed condition of its fulfillment was probably if the Lord did not return before then. This would have been true for what Jesus prophesied concerning Peter"s death as well. We often speak this way today. We say something will happen, but we mean and do not say unless the Lord comes first.