<p>2:19 <em>For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?</em> - Nearly all references to Paul's &quot;joy&quot; are in the context of his joy at the prospect of others' spiritual development and salvation (Acts 13:52; Rom. 5:11; 15:32; 2 Cor. 2:3; 7:4,6,13; Phil. 1:14,18; 2:2,17; 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19,20; 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:4; Philemon 7,20). See on Eph. 1:4. Paul could say that his great joy at the judgment would be to see his dear brethren enter the Kingdom (1 Thess. 2:19,20; Phil. 4:1; 2 Cor. 1:14); not just joy for his own personal acceptance. In this moment, &quot;he that soweth and he that reapeth will rejoice together&quot; (Jn. 4:36)- the letter writers, speakers, writers, travellers... Hence Paul &quot;held forth the word of life&quot; to his converts at Philippi, &quot;that I may rejoice in the day of Christ (through their acceptance) that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain&quot;. This explains the intensity of his efforts to strengthen his brethren: &quot;As though God did beseech you by us: we <em>pray</em> you... be ye reconciled to God&quot; (2 Cor. 5:20). And later he could write from prison &quot;Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain&nbsp;the&nbsp;salvation which is in Christ Jesus&quot; (2 Tim. 1:10). Thus even in this life John could write: &quot;I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth... I wish <em>above all things</em> that thou mayest (spiritually) prosper&quot; (3 Jn. 2-4).</p><p>Paul's &quot;crown&quot;, the nature of his eternal reward, was tied up in whether or not his converts made it there. He appeals to the Philippians to &quot;stand fast&quot; exactly because they were his &quot;crown&quot; (Phil. 4:1). His certainty at the end that he would receive the crown (2 Tim. 4:8) is perhaps a statement that he rejoiced that at least some of his converts would indeed be saved. Our focus likewise must be upon the moment when we shall stand before our Lord Jesus. The joy and crown will be tied up in the acceptance there of others for whom we have laboured. This is not to teach salvation by works; but the quality and nature of our eternity is clearly predicated upon what we do for others. Sitting in splendid isolation, insisting upon our understanding of some curious theological point as an excuse for non engagement with the rest of the Lord's body... is not going to enable us to share too much joy for others in that day.</p>