1 Thessalonians 2 20

1 Thessalonians 2:20 kjv

For ye are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 2:20 nkjv

For you are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 2:20 niv

Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 2:20 esv

For you are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 2:20 nlt

Yes, you are our pride and joy.

1 Thessalonians 2 verses

1 Thessalonians 2 20 Meaning

This verse states a profound truth about Paul's relationship with the Thessalonian believers: they were the genuine source of his and his companions' honor, vindication, and deepest gladness. In the context of his apostolic ministry, it was not worldly acclaim, financial gain, or personal fame that provided his reward or glory, but rather the spiritual fruit evident in the lives of the Thessalonians – their conversion, perseverance in faith, and steadfastness despite persecution. They were living proof of the divine power accompanying his preaching, a testament to God's transformative work through their efforts, and the true reason for his joyful satisfaction both in the present and in anticipation of Christ's return.

1 Thessalonians 2 20 Context

First Thessalonians chapter 2 is a significant section where Paul defends and explains the character of his apostolic ministry among the Thessalonians. After commending their reception of the gospel (1:5-10), he recounts his and his co-workers' (Silvanus and Timothy) conduct when they were with the Thessalonians. Verses 1-12 emphatically highlight the purity of their motives and actions: they preached boldly, not from error or impurity, nor to deceive; they sought not human approval, flattery, or personal gain; instead, they ministered gently like a nursing mother and affectionately like a father, working hard so as not to be a burden. Their purpose was to please God, not people, and their lives were exemplary.Verses 13-16 then pivot to commend the Thessalonians' response to this genuine ministry, receiving God's word as it truly is and suffering for it, mimicking the experiences of Judean churches. Verses 17-18 express Paul's intense longing to return to them, a desire hindered by Satan. The immediate preceding verse, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, sets up verse 20 by asking rhetorically: "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?" This clearly links the Thessalonians to Paul's ultimate spiritual reward and honor. Verse 20 concludes this thought, declaring that the Thessalonians are their glory and joy, confirming their invaluable spiritual significance to Paul's ministry.

1 Thessalonians 2 20 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction introduces a logical connection or explanation, confirming and elaborating on the rhetorical question posed in the previous verse (1 Thes 2:19). It grounds the statement in a strong conviction, linking the Thessalonians as the explicit fulfillment of Paul's hope, joy, and crown.
• You (ὑμεῖς - humeis): The plural second-person pronoun directly addresses the Thessalonian believers. The emphasis on "you" underscores that it is their very existence as transformed people of God, their faith, and their spiritual fruit, that constitutes Paul's vindication and reward. It highlights their personal significance.
• Are (ἐστέ - este): Present indicative of the verb "to be." This signifies a present and continuing reality. It's not about what they will be in the future, but what they presently are to Paul and his team – their very identity and spiritual condition serve as a source of glory and joy.
• Our (ἡμῶν - hēmōn): The plural possessive pronoun "our" refers to Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy (mentioned in 1 Thes 1:1), who jointly shared in the Thessalonian ministry. This highlights a collective apostolic perspective and mutual bond.
• Glory (δόξα - doxa): In biblical Greek, doxa denotes honor, praise, reputation, splendor, and especially the visible manifestation of God's presence or character. For Paul, the Thessalonians were his "glory" because their transformed lives, enduring faith, and Christian witness validated his apostleship and demonstrated God's powerful work through his preaching. They were the visible evidence that his labor was not in vain (Phil 2:16), bringing honor not just to him, but primarily reflecting glory back to God who called them (cf. 2 Cor 3:18). This "glory" is in contrast to human-derived fame or earthly achievements; it's a spiritual boast rooted in God's redemptive work.
• And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunctive, connecting the two significant outcomes of "glory" and "joy."
• Joy (χαρά - chara): This refers to a deep, abiding inner gladness, delight, or rejoicing, often a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). For Paul, the Thessalonians were his "joy" because their conversion and perseverance brought immense satisfaction to his soul. It speaks of the profound emotional and spiritual contentment derived from seeing others respond to the gospel and grow in faith, especially considering the suffering he endured for them (cf. Heb 12:2 for joy in enduring).

• "For you are our glory and joy": This entire phrase encapsulates Paul's apostolic self-understanding and the profound spiritual reward of his ministry. It contrasts sharply with the worldly measures of success or the motivations of false teachers who sought money or status. For Paul, the changed lives of believers, their growth in Christ, and their eventual presentation before the Lord (1 Thes 2:19) are his supreme honor and deepest delight. This spiritual offspring is a visible testimony to God's blessing on their apostolic labor. This collective "our" (Paul, Silas, Timothy) emphasizes the shared investment and mutual rejoicing in the Thessalonians' spiritual state. Their existence as a vibrant church validated their arduous missionary efforts, affirming that their preaching was indeed from God and not a human endeavor. This statement serves as a powerful declaration of Paul's authentic, God-centered pastoral love.

1 Thessalonians 2 20 Bonus section

This verse offers a crucial insight into the concept of spiritual heritage and lasting impact. While Christians are taught to lay up treasures in heaven (Mt 6:20), Paul illustrates one such treasure for a spiritual laborer: the souls they have led to Christ and nurtured in the faith. The Thessalonians are depicted as living jewels in Paul's crown, a testament to God's grace working through him, rather than an achievement by his own power. This eternal perspective on reward transcends any temporal accolades or suffering endured. It suggests that our deepest satisfaction and honor, both in this life and the life to come, can be found in contributing to the spiritual growth and eternal destiny of others for God's glory. This provides comfort and motivation for those engaged in ministry, teaching, evangelism, or discipleship – that their true "glory and joy" will be the people whose lives are transformed by God's Word through their efforts.

1 Thessalonians 2 20 Commentary

First Thessalonians 2:20 serves as the powerful conclusion to Paul's defense of his sincere, selfless, and fruitful ministry among the Thessalonians. The apostle emphatically states that the Thessalonian believers, transformed by the gospel and standing firm in faith, constitute his deepest "glory" and "joy." This declaration is highly significant, revealing the authentic heart of Paul's apostolic motivation and his profound spiritual compensation. His "glory" is not in personal accolades, wealth, or worldly recognition, but in the divine work evident in the lives of his converts, which validates his call and commission. Their perseverance under trial and faith in Christ reflect positively on the integrity and power of the message he preached, proving that his labor for the Lord was not in vain. Similarly, they are his "joy" because their spiritual well-being brings him immense, profound gladness. This is a joy rooted in seeing God's kingdom advance and lives eternally changed. It is an echo of the shepherd's joy over lost sheep found, or a parent's joy over thriving children. This verse provides a profound theological truth about the true reward of gospel ministry: it lies not in what one gains for oneself, but in what God accomplishes through one for others, particularly the eternal fruit in saved souls. It highlights Paul's genuine love and selfless commitment to the flock, where the sheep themselves, not external rewards, are the ultimate crown.