Deeper Reflection
PAUL’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).

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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