18 Bible Verses about Absence

and in this confidence I would fain get away from the body and reside with the Lord.

for although I am absent in body I am with you in spirit, and it is a joy to note your steadiness and the solid front of your faith in Christ.

You heard me tell you I was going away and coming back to you; if you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father ??for the Father is greater than I am.

For I am afraid I may perhaps come and find you are not what I could wish, while you may find I am not what you could wish; I am afraid of finding quarrels, jealousy, temper, rivalry, slanders, gossiping, arrogance, and disorder ??21 afraid that when I come back to you, my God may humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn for many who sinned some time ago and yet have never repented of the impurity, the sexual vice, and the sensuality which they have practised.

I am sure it is, and so I know I shall remain alive and serve you all by forwarding your progress and fostering the joy of your faith.

Brothers, when we were bereft of you for a little while (out of sight, not out of mind), we were the more eager to see you. We had a keen longing for you.

Yet ??I am telling you the truth ??my going is for your good. If I do not depart, the Helper will not come to you; whereas if I go, I will send him to you.

For my part, present with you in spirit though absent in body, I have already, as in your presence, passed sentence on such an offender as this,

Therefore, my beloved, as you have been obedient always and not simply when I was present, so, now that I am absent, work all the more strenuously at your salvation with reverence and trembling,

Hence also I am eager to satisfy him, whether in the body or away from it;

Only, do lead a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Whether I come and see you or only hear of you in absence, let me know you are standing firm in a common spirit, fighting side by side like one man for the faith of the gospel.

I appeal to you myself by the gentleness and consideration of Christ ??the Paul who is 'humble enough to your face when he is with you, but outspoken enough when he gets away from you.'

Let him understand that I will act when I arrive, as forcibly as I express myself by letter when I am absent.