1 Thessalonians 2:18
What does 1 Thessalonians 2:18 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 2:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 2:18 means
Paul states plainly that he tried “once and again” to come, but “Satan hindered us.” This acknowledges real spiritual opposition that can obstruct good intentions and plans. It does not deny God’s sovereignty; it names the adversary’s activity within God’s providence. The point is pastoral: their absence was not for lack of desire or effort. By identifying Satan’s hindrance, Paul assures the church that the delay was not due to fear, laziness, or broken promises. The battle for the church’s good involves unseen resistance, and the apostles were engaged in it, striving to return despite obstacles.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For which reason we made attempts to come to you, even I, Paul, once and again; but Satan kept us from coming.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862wherefore we wished to come unto you, (I indeed Paul,) both once and again, and the Adversary did hinder us;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For we would have come unto you, I Paul indeed, once and again: but Satan hath hindered us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890wherefore we have desired to come to you, even I Paul, both once and twice, and Satan has hindered us.
Context
Verse 17 expressed intense longing; verse 18 explains the repeated failure to visit—spiritual hindrance by Satan. This prepares for the perspective shift in verses 19–20, where Paul lifts their eyes to the ultimate future: their presence before the Lord Jesus at His coming. The flow moves from present obstacles to eschatological hope, showing that, despite hindrance, the relational bond and future joy remain secure.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
- 2 Corinthians 11:12
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
- Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
- Job 33:14
For God speaketh once, Yea twice, though man regardeth it not.
- Zechariah 3:1
And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary.
- Romans 1:13
And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles.
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