1 Thessalonians 2:19 - Exposition

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? or, glorying . The apostle calls the Thessalonians his "hope," not because he anticipates any reward from their conversion, or because their conversion would counterbalance his former persecution of the Christians, but because he hoped to meet them in glory; he calls them his "joy," because he would rejoice with them in their final salvation; and he calls them his "crown of rejoicing," because he regards them as trophies of the victory of the gospel which he preached. Similarly he calls the Philippians "his joy and crown" ( Philippians 4:1 ). Are not even ye ; or rather, are not ye also? —ye as well as other Christians? In the presence of —before— our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming ; at the restoration of his Messianic kingdom.