1 Thessalonians 2:17-18
17 But [de] we, [hemeis] brethren, [adelphos] being taken [aporphanizo] from [apo] you [humon] for [pros] a short [hora] time [kairos] in presence, [prosopon] not [ou] in heart, [kardia] endeavoured
[spoudazo] the more
abundantly [perissoteros] to see [eido] your [humon] face [prosopon] with [en] great [polus] desire. [epithumia]
18 Wherefore [dio] we would [thelo] have come [erchomai] unto [pros] you, [humas] even [men] I [ego] Paul, [Paulos] once [kai] [hapax] and [kai] again; [dis] but [kai] Satan [Satanas] hindered [egkopto] us. [hemas] KJV-Interlinear
17 But we, brethren, having been
bereft of you for a short while in person, not in spirit were all the more eager with great desire to
see your face. 18 For we wanted to come
to you I,
Paul, more than once and yet Satan
thwarted us. NASB
Acts 17 holds the story
of the persecution against Paul and his friends, at the hands of the Jews who
instigated hate and violence against the Christians. Paul had to leave the area because of the
threats against him.
This verse indicates
that Paul had been there long enough to establish some very close and
meaningful friendships with the folks in Thessalonica. Such that he was
bereaved because of their separation from each other when he was forced to leave.
This bereavement, aporphanizo, indicates the severe stress that a child
feels when he loses a parent.It is an
intense and indescribable emotion because of the loss, which is never expected
to be restored.
This also indicates the
separation that people, who have a relationship with each other by means of
doctrine, even though they do not know each other, places a stress in their
lives, not because of their acquaintance with each other, but because of the stresses
that are common to believers living in this world.
Paul indicates that he
could not return, though he deeply desired to return, and the distance between
them was not that great as you can see from looking at
any map.However, Satan was the primary
instigator of prevention.
Paul does not describe
Satan s role, except in general terms.
To that end, all of us
live in difficult times as a result of Satan s actions. And though Satan most probably does not know
any of us, we being rather insignificant in this world, our difficulties come
into the picture as a result of Satan s role in interfering in world affairs. Government abuses, economic difficulties, and
such are the typical things that cause people hardships.
It is unlikely that any
of us will ever have a direct adversarial confrontation with Satan. We are the little fish and the governments of
the world, and their leaders, are the big ones.
In eternity we will all
be able to meet one another and share our stories. Our relationships will blossom as they never
could in this life, and probably only then, we will realize the extent of the huge
differences that exist between eternity and this life.
Doctrine is the basis
for successful relationships.If ever,
doctrine suddenly became unavailable, then if you are in fact advancing in your
spiritual life, then your emotions of bereavement at that loss, would soar off
the charts, as a very dependent child losing a parent.
Never concern yourself with
what this world can potentially do to you, but fear more, what God can withhold
from you.God is your life and the very
basis of your existence.God is your
completion, your happiness, your success, your destiny, your
all that you are.Never,
never, never lose that.
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