Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 2:18

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, (even I Paul z) once and again, but Satan hindred us .

Either by raising up disputes against the Gospel at Athens by the Philosophers there, which he was concerned to stay and answer, Act. 15. Or else by stirring up wicked men to lye in wait for him in the way: Or by raising Tumults as the Iewes did at Berea, whereby he was constrained to go as it were to the Sea, Act. 16.14. Or by sowing dissensions in other Churches which detained him to end them. Or by what way it was, is somewhat uncertain. But being thus hindred it made his desire the more fervent by the opposition.

And hereby we see Satans Enmity to the Gospel, especially to Churches new planted, that they might nor take rooting.

This he adds further to satisfie them of his real affection to them, that he attempted to come to them once and again, that is often, as Neh. 13.20. Phil. 4.16. and that they might be assured it was not his Fellow Ministers desire onely to come. Therefore he expresseth his own name particularly in a Parenthesis (even I Paul) Or by his saying, even I Paul, he assures them concerning his own desire to come to them; At least I Paul, though others did not so; as the French Bible reads it. And he had come to them had not Satan hindred him.

Marginal references: Rom. 1.13. & 15.2[illegible: 1 letter].