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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.
