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

16because they try to keep us from telling people who are not Jewish how they can be saved. The result is that those Jews always commit as many sins as possible. So at last they are receiving ⌞God’s⌟ anger. 17Brothers and sisters, we have been separated from you for a little while. Although we may not be able to see you, you’re always in our thoughts. We have made every possible effort to fulfill our desire to see you. We wanted to visit you. I, Paul, wanted to visit you twice already, but Satan made that impossible. 19Who is our hope, joy, or prize that we can brag about in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Isn’t it you? 20You 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, am writing this greeting with my own hand.
• Colossians 4:18I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember that I’m a prisoner. God’s good will be with you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:17I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. In every letter that I send, this is proof that I wrote it.
• Philemon 1:9However, I would prefer to make an appeal on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an old man and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus,
• Job 33:14“God speaks in one way, even in two ways without people noticing it:
• Philippians 4:16Even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs twice.
• Zechariah 3:1Then he showed me Joshua, the chief priest, standing in front of the Messenger of the Lord. Satan the Accuser was standing at Joshua’s right side to accuse him.
• Romans 1:13I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I often planned to visit you. However, until now I have been kept from doing so. What I want is to enjoy some of the results of working among you as I have also enjoyed the results of working among the rest of the nations.
• Romans 15:22This is what has so often kept me from visiting you.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12But I’ll go on doing what I’m doing. This will take away the opportunity of those people who want to brag because they think they’re like us.
• Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. Your suffering will go on for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
• Revelation 12:9The huge serpent was thrown down. That ancient snake, named Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was thrown down to earth. Its angels were thrown down with it.

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