Deeper ReflectionPAUL’S DEEP SENSE OF LOSS LIKE AN ORPHANED CHILD
in his “extremely painful”
43 separation from the Thessalonians (v.17a)
resulted in a great longing “to see you face to face” (v.18). Paul uses
“highly emotive”
44 words to describe his loss and longing. Note the
attitude and action of Paul in seeking to see the Thessalonians face to
face. He “endeavoured the more eagerly” to see them again. The verb
for “be eager”,
spoudazō, is an intensive word. It means “do one’s best,
spare no effort, work hard”
45, eager to do something with readiness to
expend energy and intense effort.
46 The intensity of Paul’s eagerness
is intensified further by the expressions “more abundantly” and “with
great desire” (v.17). And with this attitude, Paul “wanted to come to
you” with many attempts – “again and again”, until it became clear to
him that it was impossible (v.18).Paul’s intensive attitude and action underscores the significant
importance of face-to-face contact and communication in life and
ministry. God created human beings to be personal and relational
beings, with personal face-to-face contact and communication in
relationship – with God and fellow human beings – as vitally essential.
It has certain living life-to-life dynamics that cannot be replaced by
technology. A good example is sexual intimacy. We can communicate
through technology without relating interpersonally. God’s most
definitive self-revelation in “the Word became flesh and dwelt among
us” (Jn 1:14) was a face-to-face contact with His creatures, where He
could be heard, seen, gazed at and touched personally (1 Jn 1:1-2).
43 Gene L. Green, 150
44 Gary S. Shogren, 125
45 Dictionary in The Greek New Testament, Fifth Revised Edition (Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2014), 168
46 Johannes P. Louw & Eugene A. Nida, 25.74, 68.63
