Parallel Verses
An Understandable Version
For we [really] wanted to come to you [and] I, Paul, [even tried to come] more than once, but Satan prevented us. [Note: This was probably accomplished through the influence of certain people or circumstances].
New American Standard Bible
King James Version
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Holman Bible
So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan
International Standard Version
That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come time and again, but Satan blocked our way.
A Conservative Version
Therefore we wanted to come to you, indeed I, Paul, even once and again, and Satan hindered us.
American Standard Version
because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.
Amplified
For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered us.
Anderson New Testament
For this reason, we intended to go to you, (I Paul) both once and again, but Satan hindered us.
Bible in Basic English
For which reason we made attempts to come to you, even I, Paul, once and again; but Satan kept us from coming.
Common New Testament
For we wanted to come to you, I, Paul, again and againbut Satan hindered us.
Daniel Mace New Testament
this I Paul have frequently attempted, but Satan has been my obstacle.
Darby Translation
wherefore we have desired to come to you, even I Paul, both once and twice, and Satan has hindered us.
Godbey New Testament
Because we wish to come to you, I Paul indeed both once and twice; and Satan hindered me.
Goodspeed New Testament
For we resolved to come to see you??, Paul, did so again and again??ut Satan held us back.
John Wesley New Testament
Wherefore we would have come to you (even I Paul) once and again, but Satan hindered us.
Julia Smith Translation
Wherefore we would have come to you, I Paul, truly also once and twice; and the adversary hindered us.
King James 2000
Therefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Lexham Expanded Bible
because we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, {on more than one occasion}--and Satan hindered us.
Modern King James verseion
Therefore we desired to come to you, truly I, Paul, both once and twice; but Satan hindered us.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
and therefore we would have come unto you, I Paul once and again: but Satan withstood us.
Moffatt New Testament
(We did want to reach you ??I did, I Paul, more than once ??but Satan stopped us.)
Montgomery New Testament
For that reason I would fain have visited you??, Paul, again and again??ut Satan hindered me.
NET Bible
For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) but Satan thwarted us.
New Heart English Bible
because we wanted to come to you?indeed, I, Paul, once and again?but Satan hindered us.
Noyes New Testament
Wherefore we purposed to come to you, that is, I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Sawyer New Testament
For which reason we wished to come to you; I Paul indeed once and again, and Satan hindered us.
The Emphasized Bible
Wherefore, we desired to come unto you - even, I, Paul, both once and again, - and, Satan, thwarted us.
Thomas Haweis New Testament
Therefore we wished to have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan prevented us.
Twentieth Century New Testament
That was why we made up our minds to go and see you--at least I, Paul, did, more than once--but Satan put difficulties in our way.
Webster
Wherefore we would have come to you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Weymouth New Testament
On this account we wanted to come to you--at least I Paul wanted again and again to do so--but Satan hindered us.
Williams New Testament
Because we did want to come to see you; I mean, that I myself, Paul, wanted again and again to come, but Satan prevented it.
World English Bible
because we wanted to come to you -- indeed, I, Paul, once and again -- but Satan hindered us.
Worrell New Testament
Because we wished to come to you, even I, Paul, both once and again; and Satan hindered us.
Worsley New Testament
Wherefore we would have come unto you (even I Paul) once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Youngs Literal Translation
wherefore we wished to come unto you, (I indeed Paul,) both once and again, and the Adversary did hinder us;
Themes
Adversary » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Satan » Vanquished promises of ultimate triumph » Instigating men to sin
Satan's » Work » Instigating men to sin
Serpent » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Tempter » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Interlinear
thelo
References
Word Count of 37 Translations in 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Verse Info
Context Readings
Paul's Desire To Revisit The Thessalonians
17 But brothers, after we were separated from you for a short time --- in person but not in spirit --- we became all the more eager [to come to you] and strongly desired to see you in person. [Note: The word "separated" here denotes the traumatic experience of a child being forcibly removed from its parents. It had been about six months since Paul left Thessalonica under adverse circumstances]. 18 For we [really] wanted to come to you [and] I, Paul, [even tried to come] more than once, but Satan prevented us. [Note: This was probably accomplished through the influence of certain people or circumstances]. 19 For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By "crown" Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people?
Cross References
Romans 15:22
This is why I have been so often hindered from coming to you.
Romans 1:13
And I want you to be aware, brothers, of how frequently I [had] planned to visit you (but was prevented from doing so until now). I wanted to come in order to bear some fruit [i.e., make additional converts] among you, just as I have done among the other Gentiles [i.e., unconverted people].
Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus replied to him, "Get away from me Satan, for it is written [Deut. 6:13], 'You are supposed to worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.'"
2 Corinthians 11:12-14
But what I am doing, I will continue to do, so that I can cut off the opportunity from those who want an occasion [to receive financial support for themselves because of my example of receiving it]. They want to boast [that they are preaching] on the same terms as I do. [Note: Paul's argument seems to be that one reason for his foregoing financial support was so those "super apostles" in Corinth (see verse 5) would not be able to use his example to wrongfully exact financial support from the church].
Revelation 2:10
Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. [For] look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you may be tested, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. [But], you should be faithful [to God] even to the point of dying [for Him], and I will give you the crown of [never ending] life.
Revelation 12:9-12
Then the great dragon was thrown out [of heaven]; he is the snake from ancient times who is [also] called "the Devil," and "Satan," the deceiver of the entire world. He was thrown down to earth along with his angels.
Philippians 4:16
For even [when I was] in Thessalonica, you sent [money] more than once to meet my needs.
1 Corinthians 16:21
These greetings are being written with my own hand. [See II Thess. 3:17].
Colossians 4:18
This greeting [is being written] by me, Paul, in my own handwriting. Remember my imprisonment. [Note: This was probably a request for them to pray for him]. May God's favor be with you.
2 Thessalonians 3:17
This greeting [is being written] by me, Paul, in my own handwriting; it is the signature I write in every letter.