1Thessalonians 2:17-20

BUT WE, BRETHREN, HAVING BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU FOR A SHORT WHILE IN PERSON, NOT IN SPIRIT: Hemeis de, adelphoi, aporphanisthentes (APPMPN) aph' humon pros kairon oras: (2 Kings 5:26; Acts 17:10; 1 Corinthians 5:3; Colossians 2:5)

Ray Stedman introduces this section writing that...

The passage from First Thessalonians to which we now come is a great testimony to a father's love. The church, after all, is a family, and God is our great Father. No aspect of Christian faith warms my heart more than knowing that God is my Father. I lost my father when I was only ten years old, and I have never known a father other than the Fatherhood of God. But what a tremendous encouragement it has been to me to know that I have a Father who loves me. On one occasion when Jesus was informed that his mother and brothers were waiting for him, he said of those he was teaching, "These are my mother and father and brother" (cf, Mt 12:47-49, Mk 3:32-35), thereby indicating that a spiritual tie is as rich and deep as a physical tie -- and oftentimes more so...

I wonder where the idea ever arose that Paul was stern and cold? You cannot read this letter without sensing the warmth of his heart and the depth of his love. At the time he wrote this letter, he was ministering alone in the city of Corinth. He was feeling the loneliness of that moment. Being far away from loved ones is a very unpleasant experience. Forgetting the danger that had driven him from Thessalonica, and the cruelty he had experienced there, he longed to be with them again. He even tried to go to see them again but was prevented by Satanic interference. (1Thessalonians 2:17-3:13: Father's Joy)

Hiebert has an interesting thought on what appears to be a poor choice for a chapter break (the chapter-verse divisions are not inspired) as the subject begun in this verse continues into chapter 3...

The unity of this section would have been more evident if the new chapter had been made to begin at 1Thes 2:17 instead. The present chapter division was apparently due to the desire to have each chapter close with a direct reference to the second coming. (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)

Brethren (80) (adelphos from collative a = denoting unity + delphús = womb) is literally one born from same womb and so a male having the same father and mother as reference person. Figuratively, adelphos as in this verse refers to a close associate of a group of persons having well-defined membership, specifically here referring to fellow believers in Christ who are united by the bond of affection.

Having been taken away from (bereft, bereaved of) (642) (aporphanizo from apó = preposition meaning from, away from, speaks of a rupture of a former relationship or any separation of one thing from another by which the union or fellowship of the two is destroyed + orphanós = an orphan, a child deprived of one or usually both parents) means to be made or caused to be an orphan and figuratively speaks of an unwanted separation as when one is torn away from, deprived of contact and society or unwillingly separated from. Aporphanizo can also be used to mean the separation of parents from children and a lover from his beloved. It was also used in a more general sense to denote the loss of any friend or relative.

It means to cause someone to be spatially separated with the implication of emotional deprivation. The idea is to separate and deprive of parents. Luke reminds us that this separation was somewhat abrupt or violent...

And when they did not find them (Paul and Silas), they (the jealous Jews) began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have upset the world have come here also 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. 8 And they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.10 And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 17:6-10) (Comment: The separation of Paul from the Thessalonians was not a physical act of removing Paul from the people, but the persecution which forced Paul and Silas to leave)

Here in 1Thessalonians Paul speaks of these newly born disciples deprived of their teacher, as children bereaved of their father. This verse is the only use of this verb in Scripture. This verb clearly underscores the tender, intimate fellowship Paul had with the believers in Thessalonica and vividly portrays the desolation of soul he felt upon being torn away from his beloved converts. But although they were out of sight, they were not out of mind ("in person, not in spirit").

Short while - is literally for the season of an hour (kairos hora)

While (2540) (kairos) means a point of time or period of time, time, period, frequently with the implication of being especially fit for something and without emphasis on precise chronology. It means a moment or period as especially appropriate the right, proper, favorable time (at the right time).

Kairos can refer to a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for or a strategic point in time.

Kairos speaks of a limited period of time, with the added notion of suitableness ("the suitable time", "the right moment", "the convenient time"). Kairos refers to a distinct, fixed time period, rather than occasional moments.

Kairos is not so much a succession of minutes (Greek chronos 5550), but a period of opportunity. Chronos refers to chronological time, to clock time or calendar time, to a general space or succession of time. Kairos, on the other hand, refers to a specific and often predetermined period or moment of time and so views time in terms of events, eras, or seasons, such as the times of the Gentiles (see below) In other words, kairos defines the best time to do something, the moment when circumstances are most suitable, the psychologically "ripe" moment.

Kairos is a season, an opportune time, an opportunity ("window of opportunity"). It is a fixed & definite time. It is a period possessed of certain characteristics. For example, a "season" is a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature.

Hour (5610) (hora) means hour and then a definite space or division of time recurring at fixed intervals.

WERE ALL THE MORE EAGER WITH GREAT DESIRE TO SEE YOUR FACE: prosopo ou kardia, perissoteros espoudasamen (1PAAI) to prosopon humon idein (AAN) en polle epithumia: (1Thes 3:6,10,11; Genesis 31:30; 45:28; 48:11; 2 Samuel 13:39; Psalms 63:1; Luke 22:15; Romans 1:13; 15:23; Philippians 1:22-26)

Not in spirit (2588) is literally "in presence, not in heart"

In person (4383) (prosopon from prós = toward + ops = the eye or face) means front (face or eye toward) (being towards view)

Eager (4704) (spoudazo from spoude = haste) conveys the idea hastening to do something with the implication of associated energy or with intense effort and motivation. It suggest zealous concentration and diligent effort, one's best effort!

Spoudazo speaks of intensity of purpose followed by intensity of effort toward the realization of that purpose. Spoudazo is used in the papyri in such senses as “do your best, take care, hurry on the doing of something.” Spoudazo is marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application. The idea is give maximum effort, do your best, spare no effort, hurry on, be eager! Hasten to do a thing, exert yourself, endeavour to do it. It means not only to be willing to do with eagerness, but to follow through and make diligent effort. Give your utmost for His highest!

In other words spoudazo does not stop with affecting one's state of mind, but also affects one's activity. Spoudazo conveys the idea of exertion. It means to be conscientious, zealous and earnest in discharging a duty or obligation. The verb speaks of intensity of purpose followed by intensity of effort toward the realization of a goal or purpose.

Wuest says that spoudazo means

to make haste, do one’s best, take care, desire. The idea of making haste, being eager, giving diligence, and putting forth effort are in the word. The word speaks of intense effort and determination. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Studies in the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans)

All the more (4053) (perissoteros) means more superabundantly, more earnest, more exceedingly, more frequent, much more, more earnestly.

Desire (1939)(epithumia from verb epithumeo = set heart upon from epi = upon or intensifier + thumos = passion) (Click for word study of epithumia) is a drive/passion directed at an object (epi = toward) and most often in NT describes depraved cravings and inner vile unrestrained desires from our fallen flesh nature

See (3708) (horao)

Face (4383) (prosopon)

See your face - Paul always had before him the goal of maturing new believers in their faith which ultimately speaks of the practice of discipleship and the fulfillment of Jesus' instruction, not just to go and baptize but as Jesus concluded...

teaching (present tense - continually) them to observe (keep in view - present tense - continually) all that I commanded you; (how will it be possible to carry out His instruction?) and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Mt 28:19-20)

How is your church doing in this vital area? You may say "We're doing that at our church" but what is the evidence? Are their classes that are taking new believers through teaching on the essential doctrines of the faith? Is there an emphasis placed on the return of the Lord as we see in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians? Or does the Second Coming take "second seat" to activities, programs, videos, etc? Paul's heart beat was to...

we proclaim Him (Christ in believers the hope of glory), admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (See notes Colossians 1:28; 1:29)

Paul echoes this vital truth again in Ephesians...

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (See notes Ephesians 4:11; 4:12; 4:13; 4:14; 4:15; 4:16)