1 Thessalonians 2:19 Commentary and Bible Study

The Greek word for ‘crown’ refers to a wreath. It is like one put on the head of the athlete in the great games in those Grecian cities. And what is our anticipation, our great happiness, our crown of rejoicing? ‘Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?’ Now it is not just the Thessalonians – ‘even ye’. That little word ‘even’ serves here as an also. Are not ye as well, also our crown of rejoicing? He says exactly the same thing to the Colossians, and he says almost the same thing to other churches. So it is not the Thessalonian converts, it is all converts. He remembers the faces of so many. He roughly visualises all the others with new lives and happiness and a hope of heaven. They have been made deeper people, better people. They have been emancipated from superstition. They are people of real character and those who love God and serve him.And they are his great hope. Of course he does not say it, but his greatest hope is to be with Christ. He is not cutting that out here. But his greatest earthly hope is not possessions and home. Of course you can have possessions, and of course you must make your home as comfortable and as clean and as acceptable as you can, and you can enjoy things on earth, but these must never be your supreme enjoyment. Your supreme enjoyments are the things of the Lord – bringing the children in, knocking the doors, or witnessing here and there and everywhere. People were saved. And you prayed for the missionaries and for the pastors and for the other Christian workers and for the Sunday School teachers. And together and individually we have a share in the fruits.But there are many more, many we have never seen. When we go to glory you will see the fruit of those who have been brought in by the overseas workers who you sent, and supported, and prayed for. You will see in due time people coming into the kingdom when you are in the eternal glory who have come through your witness, and you never knew it, or through the witness of those you brought to the Lord. And you will see the effects and the fruit. This is how the apostle thought. No wonder he could take persecution. No wonder he could endure hardship. No wonder he could do the work he did. What is our hope, our anticipation, second to Christ and heaven? What is our happiness? What is our glory wreath, our crown of happiness? ‘Are not even ye’ or ye as well as others. ‘In the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?’ At the Parousia, when he is manifested at the end of the world. ‘Ye are our glory and joy.’ That is the way to think.