Reconsidering the Translation of ἀπορφανίζω (aporphanizō) in 1 Thessalonians 2:17

This article reconsiders the translation of ἀπορφανίζω in 1 Thessalonians 2:17 in light of the family metaphor developed throughout 1 Thessalonians 2. Although the verb fundamentally means “to make an orphan” or “to become orphaned,” most English and Korean Bible translations render it simply as “to be separated” or “to leave,” thereby overlooking its metaphorical force. Lexical evidence, classical Greek usage, and major lexicons consistently indicate that ἀπορφανίζω denotes the experience of orphanhood rather than mere separation. Nevertheless, modern translations have generally emphasized the result of separation instead of the emotional and relational implications conveyed by the original expression. This study argues that the meaning of ἀπορφανίζω cannot be adequately explained on lexical grounds alone but must be interpreted within the literary context of Paul's family metaphors in 1 Thessalonians 2. To support this argument, the study examines the lexical evidence, the use of ἀπορφανίζω in classical Greek, and the literary development of Paul's family metaphors throughout the chapter. Paul successively portrays himself as an infant (2:7b), a nursing mother (2:7c), and a father (2:11-12), presenting his apostolic ministry through intimate family imagery rather than apostolic authority. Building on these metaphors, this article contends that ἀπορφανίζω represents the rhetorical climax of the family metaphor, depicting Paul himself as one who has become “orphaned” from the Thessalonian believers. This interpretation also explains why Paul deliberately chose ἀπορφανίζω instead of the more common verb χωρίζω, which he elsewhere employs to describe separation. By selecting this rare verb, Paul expresses not merely physical absence but the profound emotional loss resulting from the temporary disruption of familial bonds. Accordingly, this article proposes that the translation of ἀπορφανίζω should preserve the metaphor of orphanhood rather than reduce it to the idea of separation alone. Such a rendering more faithfully reflects both the lexical meaning of the verb and its rhetorical function within the broader family imagery of 1 Thessalonians 2. In doing so, this study contributes to a more coherent understanding of Paul's family metaphors and offers a fresh perspective on the translation and interpretation of 1 Thessalonians 2:17.