1 Thessalonians 2 · Verse 19

1 Thessalonians 2:19

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1 Thessalonians 2:19, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 2:19 in other translations

BSBAfter all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
WEBFor what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
ASVFor what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
YLTfor what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye before our Lord Jesus Christ in his presence?
DARBYFor what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? are not ye also before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
BBEFor what is our hope or joy or crown of glory? Are not even you, before our Lord Jesus, at his coming?
WebsterFor what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. For--giving the reason for his earnest desire to see them. Are not even ye in the presence of ... Christ--"Christ" is omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Are not even ye (namely, among others; the "even" or "also," implies that not they alone will be his crown) our hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing before Jesus, when He shall come (2Co 1:14; Php 2:16; 4:1)? The "hope" here meant is his hope (in a lower sense), that these his converts might be found in Christ at His advent (1Th 3:13). Paul's chief "hope" was Jesus Christ (1Ti 1:1).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 19. For what is our hope. That is, "I had a strong desire to see you; to assist you; to enjoy your friendship; for you are my hope and joy, and my absence does not arise from a want of affection." The meaning, when he says that they were his "hope," is, that their conversion and salvation was one of the grounds of his hope of future blessedness. It was an evidence that he was a faithful servant of God, and that he would be rewarded in heaven.

Or joy. The source of joy here, and in heaven.

Or crown of rejoicing. Marg., as in Gr., glorying; that is, boasting, or exulting. The allusion is, probably, to the victors at the Grecian games; and the sense is, that he rejoiced in their conversion, as the victor there did in the garland which he had won. 1Cor 9:24-27.

Are not even ye. Or, will not you be?

In the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming. "When the Lord Jesus appears at the end of the world, then our highest source of happiness and honour will be your conversion and salvation." Then their salvation would be a proof of his fidelity. It would fill his soul with the highest happiness, that he had been the means of saving them from ruin.

(1) "rejoicing" "glorying" (a) "in the presence" 2Cor 1:14, Php 4:1 (b) "of our Lord Jesus Christ" Jude 1:24 (c) "at his coming" Rev 1:7

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 For what is our hope - I can have no prospects from earth; I have forsaken all for the Gospel; and esteem every thing it can afford as dross and dung, that I may gain Christ. Why then should I continually labor at the risk of my life, preaching the Gospel? Is it not to get your souls saved, that ye may be my crown of rejoicing in the day of Christ? For this I labor; and, having planted the Gospel among you, I wish to take every opportunity of watering it, that it may grow up unto eternal life.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

This world is not a place where we are to be always, or long together. In heaven holy souls shall meet, and never part more. And though the apostle could not come to them yet, and thought he might never be able to come, yet our Lord Jesus Christ will come; nothing shall hinder that. May God give faithful ministers to all who serve him with their spirit in the gospel of his Son, and send them to all who are in…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 →

1 Thessalonians 2:19 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τίςtisWho [is]G5101
γὰρgarforG1063
ἡμῶνhēmōnourG3165
ἐλπὶςelpishopeG1680
ἢēorG2228
χαρὰcharajoyG5479
ἢēorG2228
στέφανοςstephanoscrownG4735
καυχήσεως;kauchēseōsof boasting?G2746
ἢēExceptG2228
οὐχὶouchionlyG3780
καὶkaievenG2532
ὑμεῖςhumeisyouG4771
ἔμπροσθενemprosthenbeforeG1715
τοῦtoutheG3588
κυρίουkuriouLordG2962
ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424
ΧριστοῦChristouChristG5547
ἐνenatG1722
τῇtēa<the>G3588
αὐτοῦautouHisG846
παρουσίᾳ;parousiacoming?G3952

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 2:19

  • Philippians 4:1

    Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:13

    To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23

    And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Philippians 2:16

    Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:14

    As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:23

    But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

  • Matthew 16:27

    For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

  • 1 John 2:28

    And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

  • Revelation 22:12

    And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

  • 2 Timothy 4:1-2

    I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

  • Titus 2:13

    Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

  • Revelation 1:7

    Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
our hope.
2Co 1:14; Php 2:16; 4:1
crown.
Pr 4:9; 12:4; 16:13; 17:6; Isa 62:3; 1Pe 5:4; Re 4:10,11
rejoicing. or, glorying.
20; Ro 15:16-19
in.
3:13; 5:23; 1Co 4:5; 15:23; 2Co 1:14; Php 2:16; 4:1; 2Th 1:7-12; 2:1
1Ti 6:14,15; 2Ti 4:1,2; Tit 2:13; 1Jo 2:28
our Lord.
Jude 1:24
at.
Re 1:7; 22:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:18

    Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:19

    For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:20

    For ye are our glory and joy.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Porque ¿cuál es nuestra esperanza, ó gozo, ó corona de que me gloríe? ¿No sois vosotros, delante de nuestro Señor Jesucristo en su venida?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Car quelle est notre espérance, ou notre joie, ou la couronne dont nous nous glorifions? N’est-ce pas bien vous devant notre seigneur Jésus, à sa venue?
German
Elberfelder 1871
Denn wer ist unsere Hoffnung oder Freude oder Krone des Ruhmes? Nicht auch ihr vor unserem Herrn Jesus bei seiner Ankunft?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Quæ est enim nostra spes aut gaudium, aut corona gloriæ? nonne vos ante Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum estis in adventu ejus?