“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
Just as we award a medal to the winner of an athletic competition, the “crown” referenced in this passage served much the same purpose. In this instance, “the crown” was symbolized by a wreath or garland that honored a victorious first-century athlete. One source expands on this imagery with the following observation…
“Crowns and garlands were used for rewards throughout Jewish and Greco-Roman literature of this period; not a royal crown but a victor’s wreath is in view. Crowns (cf. Isa_28:5; Isa_62:3) and garlands (cf. Isa_61:3) sometimes appeared as symbols of future reward in the Old Testament and in ancient Judaism. Paul’s reward, however, is simply the perseverance of the Thessalonians themselves (cf. similarly 3Jn_1:4).” (1)
For Paul the Apostle, this was not just an offhand expression of sentimentality as another Biblical expositor explains…
“Paul uses symbolism to show a timeless reality. The one who won the victory in the Games, was given a crown as a token. Paul points with pride to the Gentile churches as the token of his victory. When he stands before Christ the Judge, they will be his ‘reason for boasting.’ He says: ‘Indeed, you are our pride and our joy!’ (See Dan_12:3).” (2)
In considering this passage, it also helps to remember that Paul suffered greatly in his efforts to bring the gospel to the city of Thessalonica. But now that he had been given an opportunity to see the fruit of his labor reflected in the lives of the Thessalonian Christians, he found encouragement, joy, satisfaction, and gladness. Their God-honoring lives served as testament to the Lord’s blessing upon his ministry- and unlike some of the other churches that received letters from Paul, he was clearly gratified by their response.
Like Paul, a true spiritual leader derives a great deal of encouragement and satisfaction from the knowledge that others have grown in Christ as a result of his or her efforts. This is what Paul the Apostle experienced in his relationship with the Thessalonians and it echoes the message of 1 John 1:4: “Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children [members of the church under his spiritual care] are following the way of truth [walking in the truth]” (EXB).
So now as we transition from 1 Thessalonians chapter two into chapter three, Paul will continue to showcase his love and concern for the Thessalonian church before moving into an extensive discussion of Jesus’ second advent in chapter four.
(1) Craig S. Keener The IVP Bible Background Commentary: [1Th_2:19-20]
(2) Ice, Rhoderick D. “Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:19”. “The Bible Study New Testament”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ice/1-thessalonians-2.html College Press, Joplin, MO. 1974.