1 Thessalonians 2:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

And as for us, brothers, when we were deprived of your company for a short time — in person, but not in thought — we missed you and tried hard to come and see you.

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

But 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:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} we^{G2249}, brethren^{G80}, being taken^{G642} from^{G575} you^{G5216} for^{G4314} a short^{G5610} time^{G2540} in presence^{G4383}, not^{G3756} in heart^{G2588}, endeavoured^{G4704} the more abundantly^{G4056} to see^{G1492} your^{G5216} face^{G4383} with^{G1722} great^{G4183} desire^{G1939}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

1 Thessalonians 3:11

¶ Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

Romans 15:23

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

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Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 2:17

1 Thessalonians 2:17 is a verse from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Thessalonica, a city in the Roman province of Macedonia. This letter, known as First Thessalonians, is one of the earliest writings in the New Testament and is traditionally attributed to Paul, likely written around AD 50.

In this verse, Paul expresses a deep longing to reconnect with the Thessalonian believers. Despite being physically separated from them ("taken from you for a short time in presence"), he emphasizes that he remains spiritually and emotionally close to them ("not in heart"). The phrase "endeavoured the more abundantly" reflects Paul's intense effort and eagerness to return and visit them in person. His "great desire" to see their faces again underscores the affectionate relationship he had with this community, which he helped to establish during his missionary journey as recounted in Acts 17:1-9.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the challenges faced by the early Christian church, including persecution and the need for pastoral care and doctrinal guidance. Paul's letter serves to encourage, instruct, and strengthen the faith of the Thessalonian Christians in his absence. His words convey both a pastoral concern for their well-being and a profound sense of connection that transcends physical distance, highlighting the themes of Christian love, community, and the importance of personal relationships in the spread of the Gospel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Strong's Number: G2249
There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμεῖς
Transliteration: hēmeîs
Pronunciation: hay-mice'
Description: nominative plural of ἐγώ; we (only used when emphatic):--us, we (ourselves).
Strong's Number: G80
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδελφός
Transliteration: adelphós
Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother.
Strong's Number: G642
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπορφανίζω
Transliteration: aporphanízō
Pronunciation: ap-or-fan-id'-zo
Description: from ἀπό and a derivative of ὀρφανός; to bereave wholly, i.e. (figuratively) separate (from intercourse):--take.
Strong's Number: G575
There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπό
Transliteration: apó
Pronunciation: apo'
Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(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.
Strong's Number: G5216
There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑμῶν
Transliteration: hymōn
Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
Strong's Number: G4314
There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρός
Transliteration: prós
Pronunciation: pros
Description: a strengthened form of πρό; 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):--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.
Strong's Number: G5610
There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὥρα
Transliteration: hṓra
Pronunciation: ho'-rah
Description: apparently a primary word; an "hour" (literally or figuratively):--day, hour, instant, season, X short, (even-)tide, (high) time.
Strong's Number: G2540
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καιρός
Transliteration: kairós
Pronunciation: kahee-ros'
Description: of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:--X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while. Compare χρόνος.
Strong's Number: G4383
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρόσωπον
Transliteration: prósōpon
Pronunciation: pros'-o-pon
Description: from πρός and (the visage, from ὀπτάνομαι); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:--(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.
Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
Strong's Number: G2588
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καρδία
Transliteration: kardía
Pronunciation: kar-dee'-ah
Description: prolonged from a primary (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle:--(+ broken-)heart(-ed).
Strong's Number: G4704
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σπουδάζω
Transliteration: spoudázō
Pronunciation: spoo-dad'-zo
Description: from σπουδή; to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:--do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.
Strong's Number: G4056
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: περισσοτέρως
Transliteration: perissotérōs
Pronunciation: per-is-sot-er'-oce
Description: adverb from περισσότερος; more superabundantly:--more abundant(-ly), X the more earnest, (more) exceedingly, more frequent, much more, the rather.
Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: 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 εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--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.
Strong's Number: G4183
There are 331 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πολύς
Transliteration: polýs
Pronunciation: pol-oos'
Description: including the forms from the alternate ; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare πλεῖστος, πλείων.
Strong's Number: G1939
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπιθυμία
Transliteration: epithymía
Pronunciation: ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah
Description: from ἐπιθυμέω; a longing (especially for what is forbidden):--concupiscence, desire, lust (after).

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