‘But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short while (literally ‘a season of an hour'), in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire, because we would fain come to you, I Paul once and again, and Satan hindered us.'
Paul now explains why he has not been back to see them and declares his strong desire to do so. He tells them that being parted from them has been like a bereavement. They had had to leave Thessalonika in a hurry (Acts 17:10), and then Paul had had to leave Beroea (Acts 17:14). That had been for the sake of the churches there, to prevent serious trouble for them. But he assures them that the absence was only of the body. His heart was still with them. Indeed his desire to see them was so great that he had made every attempt to come to them but Satan had hindered him. Possibly this points to some illness that had prevented him, or more likely to the interference of legal authorities, possibly brought about by Jewish instigators. Both of the latter are directly connected with Satan in Revelation (Revelation 2:9; Revelation 2:13; Revelation 3:9; Revelation 13; Revelation 17).
‘Endeavoured.' The word indicates eagerness and serious attempt. ‘The more exceedingly' adds further emphasis. He had made a great effort.
‘With great desire.' The word indicates strength of feeling. It often indicates lust or covetousness. Here it is used in a good sense, and intense longing.
Satan means ‘the adversary'. Whatever adversaries the people of Christ, have those adversaries have their backing from Satan, the great Adversary. Yet we must not see him as being almost as powerful as God. Powerful he is (Jude 1:9), but he has been defeated and bound by Christ (Mark 3:27; Colossians 2:15) and is limited in what he can do. Thus he acts through men who unconsciously carry out his bidding.
‘Hindered us.' The word is used of an athlete cutting in front of a rival to slow him down and prevent him winning. The hindering of the people of God is one of Satan's main aims.