What is it Parousia? What does the word parousia mean? Parousia is an ancient Greek word meaning presence, arrival or official visit. In the Christian religion, parousia is described by the New Testament in the context of the return announced by the prophets Christ to the world in glory at the end of history, as the triumphant over evil, the resurrector of the dead, and the judge of the world.
What does parousia mean in the classical sense?
From the Ptolemaic period to the second century of the new era, "parousia" was used in the East as a technical term for the arrival or visit of a king or emperor and the public celebration of the ruler's glory. To commemorate Emperor Nero's visit, Advent coins were minted in the cities of Patras and Corinth, which proclaimed the legend of Augustine of Corinth's Adventus. The Greek word parousia here corresponded to the Latin word advent. The Emperor Hadrian's many journeys were recorded on many Advent coins, and often new eras were counted from the date of the parousia.
What does it mean parousia? New Testament.
The word parousia is used 24 times in the New Testament. Of these, six uses refer to the coming of persons: Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus, Titus, the physical "presence" of Paul himself, and a seventh use for the "coming of the lawless one." The remaining seventeen uses refer to the Second Coming of Christ, except in one instance where it refers to the coming of the "Day of God."
What's that is parousia? Theological teachings.
The word parousia is used primarily in Christian theology to refer to the second coming of Christ. Some sources say that the term refers to the rapture, the first of the three stages of the return. Other scholars interpret it as the spiritual presence of Christ in the Church.
Twentieth-century theologian Karl Barth suggested that parousia includes not only Resurrection Sunday but also Pentecost. Barth concluded that parousia in the New Testament is therefore not limited to Christ's final return.
The eschatological coming of Christ is an important theme in all parts of the New Testament. It is expected that Messiahwho has already come to accomplish redemption through his death and resurrection, will return to complete his work of redemption.
In the synoptics, the term parousia occurs only in the Gospel of Matthew, but the concept appears in all three Gospels. It has permeated the thinking and Jesus' teaching. Formal critics acknowledge that this concept is present in all streams of the synoptic tradition.
The term parousia does not occur in Acts, but it is clear that the hope of Christ's return had a central location in the faith and teaching of the early Catholic Church.
Almost all of Paul's letters give clear testimony to the hope of Christ's return.
James twice mentions the parousia, and the thought of the Lord's return is an important part of the teaching in St. Peter. In Peter the parousia is discussed and defended against the doubts of the false teachers. Even in the brief epistle of Jude there are references to an eschatological return. The book of Hebrews places a strong emphasis on the present exaltation of Christ at the right hand of God, but eschatological hope is explicitly mentioned in this epistle, although the word parousia itself does not appear there.
The term parousia does not occur in Revelation, but from its opening in to the closing prayer in the book is filled with this truth. It paints a complex picture of end-time events and gives a glorious picture of the returning Christ in open triumph over all enemies.