C. Timothy's Mission (3:1-5) 92
i9 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
It is important for the apostle that the Thessalonian Christians be aware of the high esteem in which he holds them. His later exhortations must be understood in the light of that esteem. So now he has a little section in which he makes it clear that he is proud of them.
19-20 Paul brings this section to a climax with an excited outburst of esteem for his converts. It is probable that the two questions in NIV should be regarded as one, with a shorter little question as a parenthesis: "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory (are not you?) in the presence of our Lord Jesus... ?" It is possible that we should read "and" instead of "or," as Best does;91 it is not easy to think that Paul is choosing between hope, joy, and crown as he thinks of his friends. There were two words in common use in Greek for "crown."92 That used here commonly denoted something like a festive garland or a laurel wreath awarded to the victor at the games. It is likely that Paul has in mind thoughts of joyfulness and victory93 as being symbolized by the crown (though we cannot be dogmatic on this point, for the word is sometimes found in the sense of a royal crown also). It is described as "the crown in which we will glory," the last word giving the thought of the outward expression of the feeling of joy. It denotes a rather exuberant activity, and is sometimes rendered "boasting." It is from a different root and expresses a different idea from that rendered "glory" in the next verse. Paul is not engaging in an outburst of pride, but saying forcefully that his joy is rooted in what God has done in these converts. Moore sees the Thessalonians as "Paul's emblem of work well done and of victory achieved." This high place assigned to the Thessalonians in Paul's esteem is further emphasized with the insistence that it is "in the presence of our Lord Jesus"94 (which raises it to the highest level) and "when he comes" (which sounds the eschatological note and makes it permanent).
This is the first occurrence in Christian literature of the important word rendered "coming"95 in RSV (NIV with "comes" makes a verb of it) and commonly transliterated parousia. Its basic meaning is simply "presence" (1 Cor. 16:17; 2 Cor. 10:10). This gives rise to the sense of "coming to be present," "arrival" (2 Cor. 7:6-7). In the ordinary language of the people the term was especially used for the arrival of a great personage, a king or an emperor, and it was the usual word for a royal visit.96 In the New Testament it became a technical expression for the royal visit, the second coming of our Lord. From the New Testament it passed into Christian literature generally. Milligan maintains that, as distinct from other words for the second coming, it "lays stress on the `presence' of the Lord with His people, which, while existing now, will only at that Return be completely realized."97 So here Paul uses for the first time in Christian literature that term which was to be the characteristic designation of the Lord's triumphant return.98 And even then, says Paul, the Thessalonians will be his hope and joy and crown of boasting. It may not be without significance that on the occasion of a royal parousia the people sometimes found themselves under the necessity of providing a crown. But at the coming of this King, the crown will be his people's.
Paul rounds off this section with a further statement that the Thessalonians are "our glory and joy." The word for "glory"99 could be used of human splendor (Matt. 4:8), but came to have its characteristic use in connection with the "glory" of God (as in Rom. 1:23). It could similarly be used of the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4), and even of the glory that is won for the believer (Rom. 8:18 and elsewhere). It is a word with many overtones. Paul uses it here to indicate that the Thessalonians are the cause of great rejoicing to the apostles: "Yes, you are indeed our pride and our joy!" (Phillips). His "you" is emphatic: Paul is giving a special place to no other than the Thessalonians. And while he looks forward to continuing to esteem them right up to the time of the Parousia, he yet insists that at the moment of writing, right now, they are his pride and joy.