1 Thessalonians 2:17
WEB
But 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,
BSB
Brothers, 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.
KJV
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.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G1473
I, me
Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)
KJV: I, me.
For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.
See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.
G1161
also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English)
Derivation: a primary particle (adversative or continuative);
but, and, etc.
KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
G80
brother
Derivation: from G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς (the womb);
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1)
KJV: brother.
See also: G1.
G642
take
Derivation: from G575 and a derivative of G3737;
to bereave wholly, i.e. (figuratively) separate (from intercourse)
KJV: take.
See also: G575, G3737.
G575
(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with
Derivation: a primary particle;
"off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
KJV: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with.
In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
G4771
thou
Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;
thou
KJV: thou.
See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
G4314
about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in)
Derivation: a strengthened form of G4253;
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
KJV: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in).
In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
See also: G4253.
G2540
X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while
Derivation: of uncertain affinity;
an occasion, i.e. set or proper time
KJV: X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while.
Compare G5550.
See also: G5550.
G5610
day, hour, instant, season, X short, (even-)tide, (high) time
Derivation: apparently a primary word;
an "hour" (literally or figuratively)
KJV: day, hour, instant, season, X short, (even-)tide, (high) time.
G4383
(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence
Derivation: from G4314 and ὤψ (the visage, from G3700);
the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
KJV: (outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.
See also: G4314, G3700.
G3756
+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but
, also (before a vowel) οὐκ , and (before an aspirate) οὐχ
Derivation: a primary word;
the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not
KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.
See also G3364, G3372.
See also: G3361, G3364, G3372.
G2588
(+ broken-)heart(-ed)
Derivation: prolonged from a primary κάρ (Latin cor, "heart");
the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
KJV: (+ broken-)heart(-ed).
G4056
more abundant(-ly), X the more earnest, (more) exceedingly, more frequent, much more, the rather
Derivation: adverb from G4055;
more superabundantly
KJV: more abundant(-ly), X the more earnest, (more) exceedingly, more frequent, much more, the rather.
See also: G4055.
G4704
do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study
Derivation: from G4710;
to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest
KJV: do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.
See also: G4710.
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G3708
behold, perceive, see, take heed
Derivation: properly, to stare at (compare G3700), i.e. (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally);
by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
KJV: behold, perceive, see, take heed.
See also: G3700.
G1722
about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in)
Derivation: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537);
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in).
Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
See also: G1519, G1537.
G4183
abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly
Derivation: including the forms from the alternate πολλός;
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
KJV: abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.
Compare G4118, G4119.
See also: G4118, G4119.
G1939
concupiscence, desire, lust (after)
Derivation: from G1937;
a longing (especially for what is forbidden)
KJV: concupiscence, desire, lust (after).
See also: G1937.
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Verses 17–20
1 Thessalonians 2:17–20
In these words the apostle apologizes for his absence. Here observe, 1. He tells them they were involuntarily forced from them: We, brethren, were taken from you, Th1 2:17. Such was the rage of his persecutors. He was unwillingly sent away by night to Berea, Act 17:10. 2. Though he was absent in body, yet he was present in heart. He had still a remembrance of them, and great care for them. 3. Even his bodily absence was but for a short time, the time of an hour. Time is short, all our time on earth is short and uncertain, whether we are present with our friends or absent from them. This world is not a place where we are always, or long, to be together. It is in heaven that holy souls shall meet, and never part more. 4. He earnestly desired and endeavoured to see them again: We endeavoured more abundantly to see your face with great desire, Th1 2:17. So that the apostle at least intended his absence should be but for a short time. His desire and endeavour were to return again very soon to Thessalonica. But men of business are not masters of their own time. Paul did his endeavour, and he could do no more, Th1 2:18. 5. He tells them that Satan hindered his return (Th1 2:18), that is, either some enemy or enemies, or the great enemy of mankind, who stirred up opposition to Paul, either in his return to Thessalonica, when he intended to return thither, or stirred up such contentions or dissensions in those places whether he went as made his presence necessary. Note, Satan is a constant enemy to the work of God, and does all he can to obstruct it. 6. He assures them of his affection and high esteem for them, though he was not able, as yet, to be present with them according to his desire. They were his hope, and joy, and crown of rejoicing; his glory and joy. These are expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation. And it is happy when ministers and people have such mutual affection and esteem of each other, and especially if they shall thus rejoice, if those that sow and those that reap shall rejoice together, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming.
The apostle here puts the Thessalonians in mind that though he could not come to them as yet, and though he should never be able to come to them, yet our Lord Jesus Christ will come, nothing shall hinder this. And further, when he shall come, all must appear in his presence, or before him. Ministers and people must all appear before him, and faithful people will be the glory and joy of faithful ministers in that great and glorious day.
Cross-references: 1Thess 2:17 · Acts 17:10 · 1Thess 2:18