1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

1 Thess 2:17 “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. 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.”

“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.” When a bond of Christian love is formed between people, though they may be separated from them in physical presence, yet because of this loving bond, they are still near to them in heart and they often long to see them because of this bond of love they share. I have had people that I went to school with and others that I went to college with and still others that I worked with for many years to whom I have been separated for many years and yet do not feel much of a longing to see them. In contrast, I have had brethren and sisters in Christ whom I have known in the past that I am separated from and yet have a longing to see them and they are near to my heart.

“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” We are not told how Satan hindered Paul, but I do know that Satan has put obstacles in my way when I have had a longing to go and see brethren and sisters that I have not seen for some time. Satan desires to break the bond of love and fellowship between brothers and sisters in Christ.

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” According to the scriptures, our hope rest in the promises of God. Our hope of the resurrection of our bodies, our hope of eternal live and our hope of eternal fellowship with God and the children of God all rest in God’s promise in the covenant of redemption as stated in Rom. 8:29, 30: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” That we will all be in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming is a reason of joy and great rejoicing while we live waiting for the hope set before us.

“For ye are our glory and joy.” The word, “glory,” comes from the Greek word, “doxa” meaning dignity, honor, and praise.