1 Thessalonians 2:18

1 Thessalonians 2:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
• New International Version (NIV)For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.
• English Standard Version (ESV)because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 2:18

16forbidding us from speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jews) so that they may be saved. So, as always, they fill up [to the brim] the measure of their sins [allotted to them by God]. But [God’s] wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever]. 17But since we were taken away from you, believers, for a little while—in person, but not in heart—we endeavored, with great longing to see you face to face. For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered us. 19For who is [the object of] our hope or joy or our victor’s wreath of triumphant celebration [when we stand] in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? 20For you are [indeed] our glory and our joy!

1 Thessalonians 2:18 word by word

διότι ἠθελήσαμεν ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἐγὼ μὲν Παῦλος καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δίς, καὶ ἐνέκοψεν ἡμᾶς ὁ σατανᾶς.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• we would haveθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• youσύsu · youG4771
• evenμένmen · on the other handG3303
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• PaulΠαῦλοςPaulos · PaulG3972
• onceἅπαξhapax · onceG530
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• againδίςdis · twiceG1364
• Satanὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• SatanΣατανᾶςSatanas · SatanG4567
• hinderedἐγκόπτωegkoptō · to impedeG1465

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 2:18

• 1 Corinthians 16:21This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
• Colossians 4:18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:17I, Paul, write you this final greeting with my own hand. This is the distinguishing mark in every letter [of mine, that shows it is genuine]. It is the way I write [my handwriting and signature].
• Philemon 1:9yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner [for the sake] of Christ Jesus—
• Job 33:14For God speaks once, And even twice, yet no one notices it [including you, Job].
• Philippians 4:16for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
• Zechariah 3:1Then the guiding angel showed me Joshua the high priest [representing disobedient, sinful Israel] standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at Joshua’s right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him.
• Romans 1:13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that many times I have planned to come to you, (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit [of my labors] among you, even as I have among the rest of the Gentiles.
• Romans 15:22This [goal—my commitment to this principle] is the reason why I have often been prevented from coming to you [in Rome].
• 2 Corinthians 11:12But what I am doing I will keep doing, [for I am determined to keep this independence] in order to cut off the claim of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things they brag about.
• Revelation 2:10Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.
• Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was thrown down, the age-old serpent who is called the devil and Satan, he who continually deceives and seduces the entire inhabited world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 2:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Even I Paul - He had already sent Timothy and Silas to them; but he himself was anxious to see them, and had purposed this once and again, but Satan hindered; i.e., some adversary, as the word means, whether the devil himself, or some of his children. There was, however, such a storm of persecution raised up against him, that his friends did not think it prudent to permit him to go till the storm had been somewhat allayed.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul - The phrase “even I Paul,” seems to be used by way of emphasis. He had a special desire to go himself. He had sent Timothy to them 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, and perhaps, some might have been disposed to allege that Paul was afraid to go himself, or that he did not feel interest enough in them to go, though he was willing to send one to visit them. Paul, therefore, is at much pains to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-20Verses 17-20 This world is not a place where we are to be always, or long together. In heaven holy souls shall meet, and never part more. And though the apostle could not come to them yet, and thought he might never be able to come, yet our Lord Jesus Christ will come; nothing shall hinder that. May God give faithful ministers to all who serve him with their spirit in the gospel of his Son, and send them to all who are in darknessRead the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18Paul tried to return to the Thessalonian church many times. Despite Satan's opposition, both Timothy and Paul eventually visited the church again (see Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:10–12; 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 5; Acts 20:1–3).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. Wherefore--The oldest manuscripts read, "Because," or "Inasmuch as." we would--Greek, "we wished to come"; we intended to come. even I Paul--My fellow missionaries as well as myself wished to come; I can answer for myself that I intended it more than once. His slightly distinguishing himself here from his fellow missionaries, whom throughout this Epistle he associates with himself in the plural, accords with the fact that Silvanus and Timothy stayed…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 2:18

• Love
• Satan

In the dictionaries

• Paul
• Satan
• Paul, Saul
• Satan, devil, evil one
• Affectionately
• Bold
• Chargeable
• Cherish
• Desire
• Joy

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings