But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face…
(1 Thessalonians 2:17 ESV)
Today I found this surprising verse in the Bible. Though these words were written long ago to a different group of people with different cultural norms, the principles of this verse seem to offer us a word of counsel about technology. In so doing, we find these old words so relevant to our lives today!
The verse is part of a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to a group of God’s people in Thessalonica. These Thessalonians were very dear to Paul (1 Thessalonians 2:8). If you read his entire letter to them, you will hear the warmth of his tone.
Paul Expresses His Longing for Face-to-Face Encouragement
So in the middle of this letter Paul says that he and his companions were “torn away” from the Thessalonians physically, and it left him longing to be reunited with them. In so many words, Paul tells the Thessalonians that he misses them—but he says so much more than that.
Notice specifically what Paul wrote to them: “we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.” Paul doesn’t just want to “connect” with these people. He’s already doing that! He is in the act of writing them a letter when he says this. To Paul, the words are not enough. The text, we could say, is not enough. He longs to see them face to face.
God’s people long and love to be together. And true Christian fellowship happens best in person.
God’s Word Encourages Us Toward Face-to-Face Time
We could say that face-to-face connection may just be Paul’s preference, or that he desires it because of his personality—except, we can’t! Paul is not just writing any letter—he is writing a letter that belongs to the collection of Scripture. This letter from Paul is God’s Word, written ultimately by the Holy Spirit, not by Paul’s will alone (2 Peter 1:21).
In other words, these words from Paul are for us. They are instructive to us—God’s gift to train us in godly living (2 Timothy 3:16).
This verse would suggest to us that in-person time with other believers is preferable to distant communication. In a world where we are “connected” through email, texting, phone calls, social media, and even FaceTime, God’s Word still encourages us to prioritize face-to-face fellowship with other believers, and even to pursue it.
Prioritize In-Person Connection
Notice Paul doesn’t just say, “I miss you, and I’m bummed I can’t see you.” He says, “we endeavored more eagerly and with great desire to see you.” That sounds more like, “I’m doing everything I can to try and see you in person, because this other communication is not enough.”
So today we learn from the Bible to prioritize in-person interactions over virtual ones, especially with fellow Christians. Instead of texting, try calling and planning a coffee date. Instead of FaceTiming a friend, meet up with them, or if they are far away, consider planning a trip to go see them. Whenever you can, choose to get in the presence of believers in Jesus who are dear to you, rather than speak to them from afar.
Paul enjoyed the blessing of letter-writing in his time (aren’t we grateful that he did!), and we enjoy the blessing of many means of connection. But none, the Bible says, is so good as face-to-face connection.
Pursue Face-to-Face Connection
Who is one person near to your heart, cherished for their faith in Jesus and love for his Word, who you long to see? How could you pursue face-to-face time with them today?