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

16as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last. 17Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. 19After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20Yes, you are our pride 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 16:21Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
• Colossians 4:18Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:17Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. I do this in all my letters to prove they are from me.
• Philemon 1:9But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.
• Job 33:14For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.
• Philippians 4:16Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.
• Zechariah 3:1Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua.
• Romans 1:13I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles.
• Romans 15:22In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours.
• Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
• Revelation 12:9This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

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