18 Bible Verses about Absence

We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

You heard how I told you, 'I go away, and I come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said 'I am going to my Father;' for the Father is greater than I.

For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;

Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

But 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,

Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don't go away, the Counselor won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.

So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.

Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;

Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.