In 1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 Paul made an impassioned statement regarding his love for the Thessalonian believers and his efforts to return to them in person. This statement is now brought to a majestic climax in which Paul looks forward to the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He thinks about his own appearance before the Lord on that day, and about the Thessalonians’ appearance alongside him.
These verses are connected to 1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 by the conjunction for
(Greek: γάρ/gar), which indicates that Paul is about to give a reason for what he has just written—i.e., he is about to explain why he holds the Thessalonians in such deep affection and why he tried so hard to visit them. The answer to this why-question is stated in the form of a rhetorical question (For what is our hope...
), which in turn is answered by another rhetorical question (Is it not you?
) and then by a strong affirmation (For you are our glory and joy.
).
19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?