18 For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan blocked our way.
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
18 because we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, again and again--but Satan hindered us.
18 You can't imagine how much we missed you! I, Paul, tried over and over to get back, but Satan stymied us each time.
18 Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us.
18 We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance
23 But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."
23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's."
(Read Matthew 16:21-23)
Christ reveals his mind to his people gradually. From that time, when the apostles had made the full confession of Christ, that he was the Son of God, he began to show them of his sufferings. He spake this to set right the mistakes of his disciples about the outward pomp and power of his kingdom. Those that follow Christ, must not expect great or high things in this world. Peter would have Christ to dread suffering as much as he did; but we mistake, if we measure Christ's love and patience by our own. We do not read of any thing said or done by any of his disciples, at any time, that Christ resented so much as this. Whoever takes us from that which is good, and would make us fear to do too much for God, speaks Satan's language. Whatever appears to be a temptation to sin, must be resisted with abhorrence, and not be parleyed with. Those that decline suffering for Christ, savour more of the things of man than of the things of God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
(Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)
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 darkness