1Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, 2and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith, 3that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. 4For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know. 5For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.
6But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you. 7For this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. 8For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God, 10night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, 13to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Coming (Gk. παρουσία, parousia). (3:13, Phil 1:26, 1Thess 5:23, 2Thess 2:8, James 5:8, 2Pet 3:12) Strong’s 3952
This is a compound noun formed from the preposition παρά (para), “alongside,” and a form of εἰμί (eimi), to “be.” This word means to be “present,” and may focus on the beginning of that presence, or “coming.” This verse speaks of the second coming of Jesus, and by using this word Paul emphasizes that the most important aspect of Jesus’ coming will be His presence. Jesus will be back in all the power of His glorious, ascended presence (see Rev 1:9-20). Things will change dramatically on earth when Jesus comes, changes He will effect up close and personally. This illustrates and emphasizes the importance and power of God’s presence, and indeed Jesus’ presence.