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Paul’s Longing to Visit
Paul writes with strong affection about being apart from the Thessalonian believers. In these verses he speaks of separation, repeated desire to return, hindrance he faced, and the honour and joy he connects with them before the Lord Jesus.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
These verses focus on Paul and his companions being away from the Thessalonian believers for a time. The passage stays with their relationship, Paul’s repeated wish to come to them, the hindrance he names, and the way he speaks about them in view of the Lord Jesus coming.
1 Thessalonians 2:17–20Main takeaway
These verses show loving concern that remains strong in absence and speaks of other believers with joy in relation to the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Separated in presence, not in heartPaul addresses them as “brothers”, using warm family language. He says they were “bereaved” of them for a short season, yet only “in presence, not in heart”.
Explanation
Paul addresses them as “brothers”, using warm family language. He says they were “bereaved” of them for a short season, yet only “in presence, not in heart”. Though they were apart physically, their desire to see the Thessalonians remained strong, and they tried even harder to see them.
02Repeated desire and named hindrancePaul makes the wish very personal: “I, Paul, once and again”. This was more than a single plan.
Explanation
Paul makes the wish very personal: “I, Paul, once and again”. This was more than a single plan. At the same time, he says, “Satan hindered us.” The verse does not explain the manner of that hindrance, so the passage keeps attention on Paul’s repeated intention and the obstacle he names.
03Hope, joy, and crown before JesusPaul asks, “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?” He answers with the Thessalonian believers themselves.
Explanation
Paul asks, “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?” He answers with the Thessalonian believers themselves. He places this “before our Lord Jesus at his coming”, linking his words to the future appearing of Jesus. The verse highlights how highly Paul speaks of them in that setting.
04Glory and joyThe passage closes with a direct summary: “you are our glory and our joy.” Paul openly tells these believers what they mean to him.
Explanation
The passage closes with a direct summary: “you are our glory and our joy.” Paul openly tells these believers what they mean to him. As a teaching point from this verse, readers can notice that it is fitting to speak thankfully and joyfully about fellow believers.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Paul mean by saying they were separated “in presence, not in heart”?
Use the wording of 1 Thessalonians 2:17 to explain the difference between physical absence and continuing affection.
02What two ideas appear together in Paul’s statement about visiting them?
In 1 Thessalonians 2:18, notice both Paul’s repeated wish to come and the hindrance he names.
03How does Paul describe the Thessalonian believers in relation to the coming of Jesus?
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 carefully and list the words Paul uses for them.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Thessalonians 2:17–20
17But 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,
18because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us.
19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
20For you are our glory and our joy.