because we wanted to come to you — I, Paul, again and again — but Satan hindered us.
Paul tried again and again to get back to Thessalonica, and something stopped him — not distance or weather, but a person. That raises two questions: what can block an apostle, and why would God allow it?
The shepherd's heart behind the failed journey
Here is a man whose plans kept failing while his love kept pressing. Paul also stresses his own name: Timothy reached the city later, but Satan blocked Paul.
Leslie M. GrantThe Spirit of God had used Paul's absence for the good of the Thessalonian believers, to strengthen them to stand without his help. Yet his heart was very much with them, and he had clearly looked for an opportunity to return "with great desire." Here was the heart of a true shepherd, concerned for the state of the flock and yet hindered from his longing to come to them again. In verse 18 he says "even I Paul," because in fact Timothy was able to visit them before this time, as we see in chapter 3:1, 2. But Satan hindered Paul and Silas. What form this resistance took we are not told, but Satan's malice against the truth did not want an already devoted assembly strengthened further.
A real enemy, not a figure of speech
Paul does not blame bad luck or bad weather. He names a person.
William KellyThere is a reality for evil in Satan, the great personal enemy, as much in a certain sense as there is in Christ for good. Let us not forget it.
Why the Lord allowed it
The Lord will one day crush Satan. So why did He let Satan win this round?
Hamilton SmithCould not the Lord have thwarted Satan's efforts? Certainly He could, and does when it agrees with His ways. Shortly He will tread Satan under foot, though at present He may use Satan as an instrument to try His people. Suppose the Lord had hindered Satan. Then the saints might have missed the blessing that came from the trial of their faith.
The closed road and the open one
Read this verse beside the record in Acts and the hindrance looks different. The enemy chose the obstacle; God chose the destination.
F. B. HoleThis passage plainly shows that God permits Satan to harass and hinder the servants of the Lord. Yet compare this with the history recorded in Acts. It is very clear that God knows well how to overrule Satan's hindering work for good. Satan hindered Paul from returning just then to Thessalonica. But God led him to Corinth — and He had many people in that city!
How to read an obstacle in your own path
Paul kept trying; he did not read the block as a red light. An obstacle means one thing when you know God's will, and another when you are careless.
J. N. DarbySuppose I do something with the full certainty that I am doing the will of God. Then an obstacle is clearly no more than a test of my faith, and it ought not to stop me. It stops us perhaps through our lack of faith… When we are doing our own will, or are careless in our walk, God in His mercy may warn us by a hindrance. It stops us if we pay attention to it, while "the simple pass on and are punished." Where there is much activity and labour, God may permit Satan to raise up hindrances, so that we may be kept in dependence on the Lord.
One reunion he cannot block
The block was real, but temporary. One future meeting no enemy can stop.
C. H. Mackintosh"We wanted to come to you — I, Paul, again and again — but Satan hindered us." Very wonderful! Very mysterious! Yet so it was. Satan hindered an angel of God in his work in the days of Daniel. He also hindered an apostle of Christ in his loving desire to see his brothers at Thessalonica. But thanks be to God, he will not be able to hinder the joyful meeting of Christ and His saints for which we wait.
Summary
- Desire. Paul's blocked journey shows a true shepherd's heart. He longed for the flock he could not reach, though Timothy could go.
- Enemy. A real, personal enemy blocked the way — as real for evil as Christ is for good. Scripture does not say how.
- Permission. The Lord could have stopped Satan but did not. He used him to test faith, and the test gave the believers what an easy visit would not.
- Overruling. The closed road to Thessalonica became the open road to Corinth, where God had many people waiting.
- Discernment. When you are sure of God's will, an obstacle is a test to press through. When you are careless, it may be His mercy stopping you. And no obstacle can touch the reunion at Christ's coming.