This appearance before our Lord Jesus will happen when he comes. The Greek word, παρουσία/parousia, which underlies this latter phrase is an important word in the New Testament. At times it is used in an everyday sense to refer to a person’s presence or arrival (e.g., 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6–7; 2 Corinthians 10:10), but it also has a more technical sense. In the ancient Roman world, the arrival of a king or other dignitary on an official visit was termed a παρουσία/parousia, and the word came to be applied by the New Testament writers to the second coming of Christ (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; James 5:7–8; 2 Peter 3:4; 1 John 2:28).1,2 For the Thessalonians, who lived in a city that was proud of its place in the Roman Empire, this word would almost certainly have evoked the idea of a royal visit. Attention is thus drawn to the glory and power of the Lord Jesus.
19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?