1 Thessalonians 2:18

We would have come. Literally, “we wished to come,” or “we willed to come.”

Even I Paul. Here Paul distinguishes himself from his co-workers, whom he has consistently associated with himself throughout the epistle. Accuracy demanded this, for Silas and Timothy had stayed at Berea when Paul went to Athens (Acts 17:14), and Timothy had actually paid the Thessalonians a visit at Paul’s direction (1 Thess. 3:1-2). They all three wished to return, but speaking for himself, the apostle could assert that he had definitely planned to do so “once and again” (literally, “once and twice”), that is, again and again. He longed to see them.

Satan. Paul had been guided in his missionary tours by the Holy Spirit. Before crossing into Europe on the journey that led him to Thessalonica, the apostle had thought of working in the province of Asia, or in Bithynia, but had been turned away from those places by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6, 7). It was not the Holy Spirit, however, who had expelled Paul and his companions from Thessalonica and opposed their return. That deed was in reality the work of the great adversary, Satan.

Hindered. Gr. egkopto, “to cut in,” “to impede one’s course by cutting off his way.” As in a chariot race a driver would “cut in,” and thus effectively check an opponent, or as on modern highways, a selfish motorist will sometimes “cut in” and block the progress of the car he has overtaken, so Satan had placed an obstacle in Paul’s way and thus prevented him from returning to Thessalonica. The apostle gives no hint as to the manner in which Satan hindered him. Satan, however, can only hinder, he cannot prevent the final triumph of the gospel. The Lord is after, and He and His church will triumph.