Paul wanted the Thessalonians to know how much they meant to him, even though he had not been able to return. His first question asks what he is really hoping for and rejoicing in. His second gives the answer in question form: they are, and they will be when Jesus comes. Barnes explains that their conversion and salvation was "one of the grounds of his hope of future blessedness." Gill adds that Paul gloried in the Lord, not in men, and spoke of the Thessalonians as trophies of divine grace.

Paul answers his own question in the very next line: "For ye are our glory and joy" (1 Thessalonians 2:20). He then tells how, when he "could no longer forbear," he sent Timothy to strengthen them (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2). When Timothy came back with good news of their faith and love, Paul said, "now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 3:6-8).

Paul had to leave Thessalonica suddenly. After a mob set the city in an uproar, the believers "sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea" (Acts 17:5-10). The word "crown" is stephanos, a wreath or garland. Barnes says the allusion is probably to the victors at the Grecian games, who rejoiced in the garland they had won. The word for "coming" is parousia, meaning a being near or an arrival.

Paul measures his life by the coming of Jesus. When he asks what his hope and crown will be on that day, his answer is not his preaching record or his suffering but people. Matthew Henry calls these "expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation," and says "faithful people will be the glory and joy of faithful ministers in that great and glorious day."

Paul says the same thing to other churches. He calls the Philippians "my joy and crown" (Philippians 4:1) and tells the Corinthians that they and he will be each other's rejoicing "in the day of the Lord Jesus" (2 Corinthians 1:14). The love between believers is not a side matter in God's story. It is part of what will still be rejoiced over when Christ appears.