But we brethren being taken from you for a short time in presence not in heart endeavoured the more 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.
But we - resumed from 1 Thessalonians 2:13: in contrast to the Jews, 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16.
Taken, х aporfanisthentes (G642)] - 'orphanized (Acts 17:7-10) from you,' as parents torn from their children. So "I will not leave you comfortless:" Greek, 'orphanized' (John 14:18).
For a short time - literally, 'for the season of an hour.' 'When severed from you but a very short time (his departure was hasty), we the more abundantly (the shorter was our separation, for the desire of meeting again is more vivid the more recent has been the parting) endeavoured,' etc. (cf. 2 Timothy 1:4.) He does not hereby anticipate a short separation, which would be a false anticipation, for he did not soon revisit them. The Greek past participle forbids this view.