Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church Volume 13

Paul's Rejoicing is in these Thessalonian Gentiles Redemption

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 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? For ye are our glory and joy. KJV

The man/Jew/Pharisee Saul had many personal accomplishments that he could have went on and on boasting, blustering, and bragging about concerning himself as he recounted for the Philippian believers when he said of himself, "Though for myself I have [at least grounds] to rely on the flesh. If any other man considers that he has {or} seems to have reason to rely on the flesh {and} his physical {and} outward advantages, I have still more! Circumcised when I was eight days old, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew [and the son] of Hebrews; as to the observance of the Law I was of [the party of] the Pharisees, As to my zeal, I was a persecutor of the church, and by the Law's standard of righteousness (supposed justice, uprightness, and right standing with God) I was proven to be blameless {and} no fault was found with me." (Philippians 3:4-6) (Amplified Bible).

However, the redeemed man who changed his name to Paul and was now the Apostle Paul (having seen with his own two eyes the Risen, Resurrected, Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ) new that all human accomplishment, achievement, or attainments were nothing as he went on to declare to the believers in Philippi with these words, "But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ's sake. Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord {and} of progressively becoming more deeply {and} intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), And that I may [actually] be found {and} known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith." (Philippians 3:7-9) (Amplified Bible).

Therefore, with this background of Saul/Paul now firmly fixed in our minds, we have no problem understanding these words he now writes to these new believers in Thessalonica concerning what and where he gets true joy from as he says, "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) (KJV). Let's remind ourselves of what the English word 'hope' really means here when Paul speaks of hope to these believers, it is translated by the Greek word elpis meaning confident expectation. The English word 'joy' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word chara meaning cheerfulness, that is, calm delight: - gladness. The English word 'crown' is translated by the Greek word stephanos meaning from an apparently primary “stepho” (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, a “diadem” (as bound about the head): ), literally or figuratively: - crown. The little English phrase 'of rejoicing' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word kauchesis meaning boasting (properly the act; by implication the objective), in a good or a bad sense: - boasting, whereof I may glory, glorifying, rejoicing.

So, in other words, the Apostle Paul has nothing in himself or about himself that he sees of value, but what Paul will now be proud of, delight in, rejoice over, and give honor to, and that is the fact, the reality that these people (in the Church @ Thessalonica) were worshipping man-made images of birds, four footed animals, and creeping things believing that this was worship of God and the right worship of Him, but upon the Apostle Paul, Silas, and Timothy entering into their city preaching Jesus Christ and Him Crucified and Resurrected from the dead, these people were turned from this false worship of idols to the One True and Living God Jesus Christ and their souls were redeemed, reborn, and resurrected unto eternal life 'in Christ Jesus our Lord' and this is now all of Paul's rejoicing and boasting to all of the world and to the heavenly host (Luke 2:13), that is the good angels who are faithful and obedient to God the Father in Heaven.

Paul saw the salvation of a sinful soul as his utmost joy in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and found the fierce and constant persecution he encountered and endured but light affliction as he said in this manner to the Corinthian believers, "For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing {and} producing {and} achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!]" (2 Corinthians 4:17) (Amplified Bible). Paul will boast only in the grace of God before Christ Throne in Heaven that enabled him to be an instrument of God in preaching, teaching, and writing of the Word of God for the Glory of God, this will be his crown as he says to them with these words, "For ye are our glory and joy." (1 Thessalonians 2:20) (KJV). The Apostle Paul is so honored to have been a part of Christ plan's in bringing saving faith to these Gentiles in the city of Thessalonica.

"The meaning is, that the source of happiness to a minister of the Gospel in the day of judgment will be the conversion and salvation of souls. The object of the Apostle in dwelling on this in a manner so tender and affectionate is, to show them that his leaving them, and his long absence from them, were not caused by any want of affection for them." Albert Barnes

"These are expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation. And it is happy when ministers and people have such mutual affection and esteem of each other, and especially if they shall thus rejoice, if those that sow and those that reap shall rejoice together, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming. The Apostle here puts the Thessalonians in mind that though he could not come to them as yet, and though he should never be able to come to them, yet our Lord Jesus Christ will come, nothing shall hinder this. And further, when He shall come, all must appear in His presence, or before Him. Ministers and people must all appear before Him, and faithful people will be the glory and joy of faithful ministers in that great and glorious day." Matthew Henry

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…