1 Thessalonians 2:18

18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.

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1 Thessalonians 2:18 in Other Translations

KJV

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

ESV

18 because we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, again and again--but Satan hindered us.

NLT

18 We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.

MSG

18 You can't imagine how much we missed you! I, Paul, tried over and over to get back, but Satan stymied us each time.

CSB

18 So we wanted to come to you-even I, Paul, time and again-but Satan hindered us.

1 Thessalonians 2:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Thessalonians 2:18

Wherefore we would have come unto you
They not only had a will, and purposed in themselves, and entered into some resolutions to come unto them, but endeavoured to put them into execution:

even I Paul:
as well as Silas and Timothy; the latter of which had been with them, and the others had as good a will, and especially Paul: and that

once and again:
or "once and twice" so the Jews used ^F8 to speak (xyynvw hnwvar Mep) , "one time and a second"; that is, several times:

but Satan hindered us.
The Syriac and Ethiopic versions read, "hindered me"; by moving the mob which rose at Thessalonica, to go to Berea, and disturb the apostle there; which obliged him, contrary to his will, to go to Athens instead of returning to Thessalonica, as he intended; and when at Athens, from whence also he might purpose to return thither, he was hindered by the disputes the Jews and the Stoics, and Epicurean philosophers, had with him; and after that, might be prevented by the lying in wait of the Jews for him, of which he might be informed; or by disturbances raised in the church, or churches where he was, by the false teachers; which required his stay with them, to oppose and refute error and heresy and to make up differences that arose among true Christians, fomented by Satan and his emissaries; see ( Romans 1:13 ) . Satan does all he can to hinder the preaching of the Gospel, the hearing of the word, the profession of religion, and the saints coming together, and having spiritual conversation with each other; being, as his name "Satan" signifies, an enemy to Christ and his interest, and to the souls of men: indeed he can do nothing but by divine permission, nor can he hinder the will of God, and the execution of that, though he often hinders the will of man, or man from doing his will; he hindered the apostle from doing what he willed and purposed, but he did not hinder the will of God, which was that Paul should be employed in other work elsewhere.

FOOTNOTES:

F8 Maimon. in Hilch. Chobel, c. 5. sect. 10.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

1 Thessalonians 2:18 In-Context

16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.

18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.

19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.