1 Thessalonians 2:17

Being taken. Gr. aporphanizo, “to bereave of a parent.” After speaking of the Jews in vs. 15, 16, the apostle resumes his argument that there is no waning of his love for them. The Greek word suggests the intimate family relationship existing between Paul and his converts. When circumstances separated them, each member felt as if the family was broken up.

For a short time. Literally, “for a season of an hour.” The extent of time between his leaving them (Acts 17:10) and his writing this epistle is not known, but several months must have intervened.

Endeavored. Gr. spoudazo, “to hasten,” “to exert oneself,” “to be diligent.”

The more abundantly. That is, excessively, as strongly as possible. Paul was not halfhearted in his efforts to revisit the Thessalonians.

With great desire. Paul assures the Thessalonians that he had left no stone unturned in his efforts to return to them. Such assurance would counteract any suggestion that Jewish opponents might be making concerning a deliberate absence from Thessalonica on the part of Paul. The facts were that the forcible expulsion of the apostles from among the new believers greatly intensified their desire to return to Thessalonica.