1 Thessalonians 2 · Verse 17

1 Thessalonians 2:17

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
1 Thessalonians 2:17, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 2:17 in other translations

BSBBrothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.
WEBBut we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,
ASVBut we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire:
YLTAnd we, brethren, having been taken from you for the space of an hour--in presence, not in heart--did hasten the more abundantly to see your face in much desire,
DARBYBut we, brethren, having been bereaved of you and separated for a little moment in person, not in heart, have used more abundant diligence to see your face with much desire;
BBEBut we, my brothers, being away from you for a short time, in body but not in heart, had all the more desire to see your face;
WebsterBut we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. But we--resumed from 1Th 2:13; in contrast to the Jews, 1Th 2:15, 16. taken--rather as Greek, "severed (violently, Ac 17:7-10) from you," as parents bereft of their children. So "I will not leave you comfortless," Greek, "orphanized" (Joh 14:18). for a short time--literally, "for the space of an hour." "When we had been severed from you but a very short time (perhaps alluding to the suddenness of his unexpected departure), we the more abundantly (the shorter was our separation; for the desire of meeting again is the more vivid, the more recent has been the parting) endeavored," &c. (Compare 2Ti 1:4). He does not hereby, as many explain, anticipate a short separation from them, which would be a false anticipation; for he did not soon revisit them. The Greek past participle also forbids their view.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. But we, brethren, being taken from you. There is more implied in the Greek word here rendered, "being taken from you"-- απορφανισθεντες--than appears from our translation. It properly has relation to the condition of an orphan, (comp. Jn 14:18,) or one who is bereaved of parents. Then it is used in a more general sense, denoting to be bereaved of; and in this place it does not mean merely that he was "taken from them," but there is included the idea that it was like a painful bereavement. It was such a state as that of one who had lost a parent. No word, perhaps, could have expressed stronger attachment for them.

For a short time. Gr., "For the time of an hour ;" that is, for a brief period. The meaning is, that when he left them he supposed it would be only for a short time. The fact seems to have been, (Acts 17:10,) that it was supposed, when Paul was sent to Berea, that things would soon be in such a state that he could safely return to Thessalonica. He was "sent" there by those who thought it was necessary for the safety of some of his friends at Thessalonica, and he evidently purposed to return as soon as it could properly be done. It had, in fact, however, turned out to be a long and painful absence.

In presence, not in heart, My heart was still with you. This is an elegant and touching expression, which we still use to denote affection for an absent friend.

Endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face. Made every endeavour possible. It was from no want of affection that I have not done it, but from causes beyond my control.

With great desire. Comp. Lk 22:15.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 Being taken from you for a short time - Through the persecution raised by the Jews, see Acts 17, he was obliged to leave Thessalonica, and yield to a storm that it would have been useless for him to have withstood. Being taken from you - in presence, not in heart - The apostle had compared himself to a parent or nurse, 1Thes 2:7, 1Thes 2:11; and the people he considered as his most beloved children; here he represents himself as feeling what an affectionate father must feel when torn from his children; for this is the import of the word απορφανισθεντες, bereft of children, which we tamely translate being taken from you. Endeavoured the more abundantly - His separation from them did not destroy his parental feelings, and the manner in which he was obliged to leave them increased his desire to visit them as soon as possible.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
This world is not a place where we are to be always, or long together. In heaven holy souls shall meet, and never part more. And though the apostle could not come to them yet, and thought he might never be able to come, yet our Lord Jesus Christ will come; nothing shall hinder that. May God give faithful ministers to all who serve him with their spirit in the gospel of his Son, and send them to all who are in darkness

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 Thessalonians 2:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἩμεῖςHēmeisWe ourselvesG3165
δέ,dehowever,G1161
ἀδελφοί,adelphoibrothers,G80
ἀπορφανισθέντεςaporphanisthenteshaving been bereavedG642
ἀφ᾽aph᾽ofG575
ὑμῶνhumōnyouG4771
πρὸςprosforG4314
καιρὸνkairon[the] timeG2540
ὥραςhōrasof an hourG5610
προσώπῳprosōpōin faceG4383
οὐounotG3756
καρδίᾳ,kardiain heart,G2588
περισσοτέρωςperissoterōsmore abundantlyG4056
ἐσπουδάσαμενespoudasamenwere eagerG4704
τὸtotheG3588
πρόσωπονprosōponfaceG4383
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
ἰδεῖνideinto seeG1492
ἐνenwithG1722
πολλῇpollēagreatG4183
ἐπιθυμίᾳ.epithumiadesire.G1939

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 2:17

  • Colossians 2:5

    For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:3

    For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:6

    But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

  • Romans 1:13

    Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:10-11

    Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

  • Luke 22:15

    And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

  • Psalms 63:1

    A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

  • Romans 15:23

    But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

  • 2 Samuel 13:39

    And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

  • Philippians 1:22-26

    But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; …

  • Genesis 48:11

    And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.

  • Acts 17:10

    And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in presence.
2Ki 5:26; Ac 17:10; 1Co 5:3; Col 2:5
endeavoured.
3:6,10,11; Ge 31:30; 45:28; 48:11; 2Sa 13:39; Ps 63:1; Lu 22:15
Ro 1:13; 15:23; Php 1:22-26

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:16

    Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:17

    But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:18

    Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas nosotros, hermanos, privados de vosotros por un poco de tiempo, de vista, no de corazón, tanto más procuramos con mucho deseo ver vuestro rostro.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or pour nous, frères, ayant été séparés de vous pour un temps, de visage et non de cœur, nous avons d’autant plus, avec un fort grand désir, cherché à voir votre visage;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wir aber, Brüder, da wir für kurze Zeit von euch verwaist waren, dem Angesicht, nicht dem Herzen nach, haben wir uns um so mehr befleißigt, euer Angesicht zu sehen, mit großem Verlangen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nos autem fratres desolati a vobis ad tempus horæ, aspectu, non corde, abundantius festinavimus faciem vestram videre cum multo desiderio: