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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.
• New Living Translation (NLT)We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 2:18

16by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last! 17But 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, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20For you are our glory and 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 16:21I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.
• Colossians 4:18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
• Philemon 1:9yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—
• Job 33:14For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.
• Philippians 4:16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
• Zechariah 3:1Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
• Romans 1:13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
• Romans 15:22This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
• Revelation 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
• Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole 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