A Word Study of the Greek Term “Parousia” or “Coming”
Dr. Daniel Smith
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The Meaning Of The Term “Parousia”
The term “Parousia” is used 24 times in the New Testament. It can mean a coming, arrival, or advent.
The Greek word parousia (παρουσία, parousia) means “presence” or “arrival.” It is used as a technical term to refer to the return of Christ in glory at the end of this world.
The term “Parousia” politically was a Greco-Roman political term most often denoting the visitation of a ruler or royal figure and expected welcome and celebration by local leadership and populace prior to arrival, usually some distance outside the city gate. Negative consequences usually followed a failure to render proper welcome.
In the New Testament, we see its ordinary use, with reference to people going somewhere to be present with others (1 Cor. 16:17; 2 Cor. 7:6; 10:10; Phil. 1:26; 2:12). It was also used by Paul to speak of the coming of the antichrist (2 Thess. 2:9). Other than these occurrences, “Parousia” was used with reference to Christ’s second coming, but never His first coming (Matt. 24:3, 27, 37–39; 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15, 16; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:1, 8). Consequently, the “Parousia now denotes the second coming of Christ at the end of the ages
“Parousia” Means The Arrival Of Someone In The New Testament
The term indicates one’s arrival (1 Cor. 16:17).
I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
The term indicates the arrival of Titus in Macedonia (2 Cor. 7:6-7).
Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
The term can also mean being present, Paul writes that his being present with the Philippians will increase their joy (Phil. 1:26).
That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
The term can also mean “in person” or presence, for Paul is criticized as being unimpressive (2 Cor. 10:10).
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
It is safe to say that each occurrence of the term outside of the referrals to Christ Second Coming speaks of an arrival, one being present, or one’s presence.
“Parousia” Means The Second Coming Of Jesus In The New Testament
For the most part the term “Parousia” has a technical meaning referring to Jesus’ second coming at the end of time. In secular thought the term was the coming of an important person, such as a king or emperor, or even the appearing of a god. This may form some of the backdrop to the term “Parousia” being used of the second coming.
Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
It is important to note that the Disciples are asking Jesus to give them the answer to three things, the destruction of the temple, the sign of His arrival, and the end of the world.
Matthew 24:27-31
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of athe earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
It is important to note that this passage is speaking of the Second Coming of Jesus and states that it takes place “Immediately after the tribulation of those days (v.29). It is also stated her that a trumpet will sound and the “elect” will be gathered. The term elect is used throughout the New Testament to mean the children of God or called out ones. The word “elect” is “Eklektos” which is generally found in the plural and refers either to the “members of God’s people as a whole” or to “those in a particular local church.” This term applies to Jew or Gentile believers. According to Christ, these events happen at the Coming.
Matthew 24:36-42
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
It is in the context of the Second Coming of Jesus that the warning “to watch for we know not the day or hour is mentioned in this passage (Matthew 24:42). Which is the only reference concerning this warning.
It is also important to note that the reference to two being somewhere and one being taken, and other left is associated with the “Parousia” in (Matthew 24:39-42).
1 Corinthians 15:20-26
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be tdestroyed is death.
It is amazing that one of the passages that supports the Rapture is found in I Corinthians 15:51-55, which is speaking of the Resurrection of the Saints throughout the chapter. This chapter clearly states the Resurrection of the Saints that have died will happen at this “Coming” (I Cor. 15:20-23).
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and pthis mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O tgrave, where is thy victory?
It is important to note that the context of 1 Cor. 15 is the Resurrection. With the reference to the Resurrection of the dead saints in (1 Cor. 15:20-23), it is clear to see the reference in (1 Cor. 15:51-55) for the dead will raise incorruptible. This is the Resurrection. Also it is important to bring out the sounding of the trumpet for it goes along with the teaching in (Matt. 24:27-31).
1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of krejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1 Thessalonians 3:13
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1 Thessalonians 4:14-18
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so uthem also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore lcomfort one another with these words.
It is important to note that Paul continually speaks of the “Parousia” throughout this Book of 1 Thessalonians and that he places the Trump of God and the rising of the saints at the “Parousia” (1 Thess. 4:15). Which also lines up with the teaching on the Resurrection that happens at the “Parousia” (1 Cor. 15:20-23).
It is also important to note that the use of a trump is spoken of in three passages (Matt. 24:31; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16) and the context of all three is the “Parousia.”
It is also important to note that this is a Resurrection of the dead saints (1 Thess. 4:6), which is supported in (Matt. 24:27-31; 1 Cor. 15:20-23; 15:51-55).
1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
It is important to note that this passage joins the coming of Jesus and the gathering of the saints at the same time.
James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and zlatter rain.
It is important to note that this passage is referring to the harvesting of the people of the earth at the Coming.
2 Peter 1:16
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2 Peter 3:4-12
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth mstanding out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
It is important to note that Peter places the context of all this message at the “Parousia” of Christ. He opens the warning and message with the timing and he brings it back to the timing of the “Parousia” in verse 12.
It is also important to note that the warnings of coming like a theft in the night (2 Pet. 3:10) is a warning for the “Parousia”. This same type of warning is used in (1 Thess. 5:1-2) which is in the context of “Parousia” (1 Thess. 4:15, 5:23). It is important to look at a warning at the 6th Vial Judgment in (Rev. 16:15-16).
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and cthey see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
It is also important to not that the warning of no one knowing the day of hour (Matt. 24:36,42) is in the context of Christ’s “Parousia.”
The Summary Of The Study For “Parousia” or Coming
Based on this study the “Parousia” speaks of an arrival to earth, an advent, a presence to earth. Also based on the three found meaning of the term which means:
1. An Arrival or Presence of a Person
2. An Arrival of A King or Leader
3. The Second Advent or Second Coming of Christ.
Upon this understanding of the term, it is clear that when the term “Parousia” is used in the New Tastament, it is speaking of the arrival of a person. Thus, when the passage is speaking of Christ’s arrival, it is referring to the Second Coming of Christ mentioned in (Zech. 14:3-5; Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 19:11-16).
Zechairiah 14:3-5
Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations as he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. The Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, forming a huge valley, so that half the mountain will move to the north and half to the south. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for the valley of the mountains will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come and all the holy ones with him.,
Acts 1:9-11
After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”
Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. 14 The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. 15 A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. 16 And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
With the references to the Second Coming of Christ and the passages in the Old Testament and New Testament that refer to the event. It is clear that the Second Coming of Christ is his arrival on the earth. Thus, it would be safe to say that the term “Parousia” used in the passages listed throughout this study in refence to Christ’s “Parousia” is referring to his Second Coming at listed in (Zech. 14:3-5; Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 19:11-16).
It would also be important to note that the teachings of the Seventh Trumpet (Revelation 11:15-19; 14:14-20) and the teachings of the Seventh Vial (Revelation 16:17-21) point to the same event for both (Rev. 10:6-7; 16:17) state that “it is finished”, “time should be no more”, and “it is done.” The Trumpet Judgements and Vial Judgments are telling of the same events and same judgments. Thus at the end of the Judgments, Babylon (which is the nation or nations that control the economy of the world) is destroyed (Rev. 16:19; 18:1-24). This destruction comes in “one hour” (Rev. 18:10, 19).
The important thing to know is this, the saints are warned at the Six Vail to watch (Revelation 16:15-16) and are called out before that hour (Revelation 18:4-8).
Revelation 16:15-16
Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed, so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.” 16 So they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Revelation 18:4-8
Then I heard another voice from heaven: Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues. 5 For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6 Pay her back the way she also paid, and double it according to her works. In the cup in which she mixed, mix a double portion for her. 7 As much as she glorified herself and indulged her sensual and excessive ways, give her that much torment and grief. For she says in her heart, “I sit as a queen; I am not a widow, and I will never see grief.” 8 For this reason her plagues will come in just one day—death and grief and famine. She will be burned up with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is mighty.
The term “Parousia” speaks of the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the age when referring to the “Parousia” of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Daniel Smith
B.S. in Biblical Studies from Blue Mountain College
M.Div. in Divinity from Liberty University
S.T.M. in Theology from Liberty University
D.Min. in Ministry Studies from Liberty University
