Paul and the Thessalonian Church. The next two paragraphs describe (a) the effect of Paul's preaching at Thessalonica, (b) his anxiety with regard to the fate of the Church under stress of persecution.
1 Thessalonians 2:14. Judæ a: i.e. Palestine. We have no details regarding the persecution of the Palestinian Churches apart from the account of the recurring attacks made upon the Church at Jerusalem.
1 Thessalonians 2:16. the wrath is come upon them: this seems to have been a stock phrase, and was probably borrowed by Paul from The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (Levi 6:11). We need not assume, as some scholars do, a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem.
1 Thessalonians 2:17. endeavoured, etc.: Paul's heart was evidently set upon returning to Thessalonica, which he meant to make the base of his missionary campaign in Greece.
1 Thessalonians 2:18. Satan hindered us: the particular kind of obstacle is uncertain. It may have been (a) illness or (b) the continued opposition of the civic authorities, but whatever it was Paul has no hesitation in ascribing it to Satan.