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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 1 Thessalonians 2:18 - 2:18
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
We would (ἠθελήσαμεν)
Implying more than a mere inclination or desire. It was our will to come. See on Mat 1:19.
I Paul
Not implying any less desire on the part of his associates, but emphasizing his own. See on the use of the epistolary plural, 1Th 1:2.
Satan (Σατανᾶς)
From the Aramaic Satana, adversary. In the canonical lxx the name appears only three times, 1Ki 11:14, 1Ki 11:23, 1Ki 11:25, and in each case is applied to a man. In lxx διάβολος is used, almost without exception, as the translation of the Hebrew Satan. Of 22 instances of διάβολος only 9 are outside of the book of Job. From the more general conception of an adversary, there is, in the O.T., a gradual development toward that of an evil personality. For instance, in 2Sa 24:1, the numbering of the people is ascribed to the anger of the Lord. The later historian, in 1Ch 21:1, ascribes the act to Satan. See also Job, Wisd. 2:24; Zec 3:1. The specialising of the conception was due, in part, to the contact of the Jews with the religions of Babylon and Persia. In N.T. Satan appears as the personal spirit of evil - the same who is called the devil, the wicked one, the prince of the power of the air, the prince of this world, the serpent, the God of this world, the tempter. He tempts to evil, opposes God's work, inspires evil dispositions, torments God's people. The word Satan occurs only once in the Fourth Gospel, not in the Epistles, but often in Revelation. Mark never uses διάβολος, Matthew never Satan. Paul seldom διάβολος, often Satan. Satan alone in Pastorals. Luke uses both. It is clear that Paul here as elsewhere employs the word in a personal sense; but any attempt to base the doctrine of a personal devil on this and similar passages is unsafe.
Hindered (ἐνέκοψεν)
See on 1Pe 3:7.