I Paul - This phrase clearly identifies Paul as the author of this letter, even though he had introduced it with the names Paul and Silvanus and Timothy.

More than once - is literally both once and again.

Satan hindered us - One might ask how did Satan hinder Paul. Remembering that Satan is the prince of the power of the air and is the spirit that is now working or energizing the sons of disobedience (all unbelievers), it is possible that Satan "energized" some of his "children" (cf John 8:44) to somehow impede Paul's journey, but beyond that one cannot speculate. The main point is that Satan can hinder legitimate Christian work and workers. He has done it effectively in the past and undoubtedly continues to have apparent successes today. However, was he really successful in his thwarting of Paul? No, for although he meant it for evil, God used it for good, inspiring Paul to write the precious letter to the Thessalonians that you are reading. Furthermore, Paul was able to send Timothy which provided training for his young disciple regarding how to effectively follow up evangelistic efforts.

The other question that arises is how are believers to discern whether the hindrance is from God or from Satan. Clearly Paul knew that the hindrance in this verse was related to Satan. But Paul was also "hindered" in his missionary journey by the Spirit, Luke recording...

And they (Paul, Silas and Timothy) passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden (koluo - forbid by word or act thus preventing something from happening) by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia 7 and when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them (Acts 16:6-7)

In his epistle to the Romans Paul twice mentions his unsuccessful attempts to go to Rome...

And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented {koluo - present tense = continuously} thus far) in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. (See note Romans 1:13)

For this reason I have often been hindered (egkopto - imperfect tense = over and over Paul was being impeded and implying a succession of hindrances) from coming to you (See note Romans 15:22) (See below)

Satan (4567)(satanas) (See  study of Satan's schemes) (See multiple resources) (See study of synonym - Devil - diabolos) literally an adversary, the constant enemy of God and man, a supernatural evil being. 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. (See related studies on spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10; 6:11; 6:12; 6:13; 6:14; 6:15; 6:16; 6:17; 6:18)

Hindered (thwarted) (1465)(egkopto/enkopto from en = in + kópto = cut down, strike) strictly means to knock or cut into, to impede one's course by cutting off his way;  and hence to hinder, impede, thwart or interrupt. It means to make progress slow or difficult. It can also convey the idea of delay (see below on Acts 24:4)

As illustrated in the verses below the NT uses always have a spiritual connotation - Paul's course hindered here and (R 15:22), the progress of the gospel hindered (1Cor 9:22), the walk of Christians hindered (Gal 5:7) and the ascension of prayer by a husband who mistreats his wife (1Peter 3:7)

In classic Greek egkopto was a military term meaning to cut in on, throw obstacles in the way of, or cut up the road so that normal movement was impossible. The road was so cut into and broken up that travel was blocked.

In secular Greek there egkopto is used in the context of interrupting (koluo) and thus hindering the progress of a discussion.

MacArthur explains that egkopto

is a military term referring to digging a trench or breaking up a road. One of the countermeasures an ancient army would take against the opposition was to dig a massive trench that would prevent enemy troops from reaching its men. Another way to frustrate the enemy’s progress would be to tear up a brick or stone road so that he could not traverse it. Thus Paul depicted the powerful devil as supernaturally obstructing the apostle’s strong desire to revisit Thessalonica. (MacArthur, John: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Moody Press or Logos)

In sum, egkopto means to interfere with the activity or progress of something, the word hindered stressing harmful and/or annoying delay or interference.

Marvin Vincent comments that egkopto...

means, literally, to knock in; make an incision into; and hence, generally, to hinder or thwart (Gal 5:7; 1Thess 2:18).

TDNT notes that the word group (egkope and egkopto) originally derived their main sense from the idea of an...

"obstacle" (“conceit is an obstacle to progress”) or “to impede,” “to arrest” from the military practice of making slits in the street to hold up a pursuing enemy. Hence the basic meaning is “to block the way.” By derivation only a temporary hold-up is suggested, in contrast to → proskomma (see word study), and this may still be discerned in NT usage, cf. Ro 15:22-note… But later the distinction faded... and even in the NT the thought of a definitive obstacle predominates, and the term is used in the metaphor of running on the race-track (cf. esp. Gal 5:7 [see below]  but the same image lies behind 1Th 2:18 and Romans 15:22. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W.  Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans)

Egkopto is found 5 times in the NT (no uses in the Septuagint - LXX)...

Acts 24:4 "But, that I may not weary (also translated "impose on", "that I may not further hinder thee or detain") you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. (Comment: UBS note says "I do want to take up too much of your time is understood in this same fashion by most other translations, though it is faintly possible that the meaning may be “I do not want to tire you out.” Ancient orators, as well as modern, felt it advisable to promise their hearers only a short speech. - The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series or Logos)

Romans 15:22 (note) For this reason I have often been hindered (imperfect tense = pictures action occurring over and over) from coming to you; (Comment: The imperfect tense of egkopto indicates continuation, and the passive voice indicates that the cause was from an outside source. God was still in control and for some reason Paul was continually prevented from coming to the church at Rome)

Galatians 5:7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

1Thessalonians 2:18 For we wanted to come to you-- I, Paul, more than once-- and yet Satan thwarted us.

1 Peter 3:7 (note) You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Stedman writes that...

Already in this chapter we have seen three sources of opposition to the apostle:

Opposition from the state (1Th 2:2-note)
Opposition from society (1Th 2:14-note) and
Opposition from Satan (1Th 2:18-note)

While this might look like three enemies, it is really only one. Other Scriptures indicate that the state and society are often the channels of the devil's attempts to hinder the spread of the good Word of God. This is what Paul was encountering here.

Have you ever experienced a frustrating time in your own life when again and again you tried to do something you knew was right and found it hard going? You met opposition and hindrance, perhaps even from your own family. That is Satanic hindrance, the psychological manipulation of minds to arouse opposition and plant obstacles in your path.   (1Thessalonians 2:17-3:13: Father's Joy)

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Wiersbe comments that...

Paul did not look back and give in to regret and remorse. Instead, he looked ahead and rejoiced. For the Christian, the best is yet to come. Paul looked ahead by faith and saw his friends in the presence of Jesus Christ in glory. In times of trouble and testing, it is important that we take the long view of things. Paul lived in the future tense, as well as in the present. His actions were governed by what God would do in the future. He knew that Jesus Christ would return and reward him for his faithful ministry; and on that day, the saints from Thessalonica would bring glory to God and joy to Paul’s heart. As the familiar song says, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.” The fact that we shall one day stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ (see bema) ought to motivate us to be faithful in spite of difficulties. We must remember that faithfulness is the important thing (1Cor. 4:2). At the Judgment Seat of Christ, our works will be judged and rewards will be given (Ro 14:10, 11, 12-note; 1Cor. 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 2Cor 5:9-note, 2Co 5:10-note). (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor or Logos)

Hope (1680) (elpis [word study]) in Scripture is not the world's definition of "I hope so", with a few rare exceptions (e.g., Acts 27:20.) Hope is defined as a desire for some future good with the expectation of obtaining it. Hope is confident expectancy. Hope is the looking forward to something with some reason for confidence respecting fulfillment.

Joy (5479) (chara from chaíro = to rejoice) describes an attitude which is cheerful and glad. The world defines joy as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. The Bible defines joy as a gift of God, a fruit of His Spirit, which is independent of circumstances.

MacArthur explains that...

A great part of heaven’s bliss for the redeemed will be the joyful presence of those whom they have been used to reach. The believer’s hope of such reward is in part what Jesus in His parable of the unjust steward alluded to: “Make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). Even as the unbelieving steward or manager used his master’s resources to purchase earthly friends, Christ said believers should use the resources their Master provides to bring people to salvation. Whether or not believers know those people now as friends, they will know them in glory as friends forever and as sources of eternal joy. The time to receive in full the promised joys is still in the future, at Christ’s return. (MacArthur, John: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Moody Press or Logos)

The Baker Encyclopedia adds that joy is a...

Positive human condition that can be either feeling or action. The Bible uses joy in both senses. Joy is a feeling called forth by well-being, success, or good fortune. A person automatically experiences it because of certain favorable circumstances. It cannot be commanded. The shepherd experienced joy when he found his lost sheep (Mt 18:13). The multitude felt it when Jesus healed a Jewish woman whom Satan had bound for 18 years (Lk 13:17). The disciples returned to Jerusalem rejoicing after Jesus’ ascension (Lk 24:52). Joy was also the feeling of the church at Antioch when its members heard the Jerusalem Council’s decision that they did not have to be circumcised and keep the Law (Acts 15:31). Paul mentioned his joy in hearing about the obedience of the Roman Christians (Ro 16:9-note). Ps 137:3 (Spurgeon's Note)  shows that the emotion cannot be commanded. The Jews’ captors wanted them to sing in the land of their exile, something they were unable to do. Faraway Jerusalem was their chief joy (Ps 137:6 - Spurgeon's Note).

There is a joy that Scripture commands. That joy is action that can be engaged in regardless of how the person feels. Proverbs 5:18 tells the reader to rejoice in the wife of his youth, without reference to what she may be like. Christ instructed his disciples to rejoice when they were persecuted, reviled, and slandered (Mt 5:11, 12-notes). The apostle Paul commanded continuous rejoicing (Php 4:4-note; 1Th 5:16-note). (Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House) (See also article on Joy in Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology)

Paul recorded a similar description of his beloved brethren of Philippi...

Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. (see note Philippians 4:1)

Later in this same letter Paul asks the Thessalonian saints...

For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? (see notes 1Thessalonians 3:9; 3:10)

Crown (4735)(stephanos from stepho = to encircle, twine or wreathe) was a wreath or garland given as prize to victors in public games and thus a symbol of honor. In Classical Greek the stephanos was used of the kingly crown but of the crown of victory in games, of civic worth, military valor, nuptial joy, festival gladness. Woven of oak, ivy, myrtle, olive leaves or flowers. Used as a wreath or garland.

Paul did not say that he would receive a crown, though this is suggested. He said that the saints themselves would be his crown when he met them at the Judgment Seat.

In the first use of stephanos in the NT, Matthew says that

do it to receive a perishable wreath (stephanos) but we an imperishable." (1Cor 9:25-note)

As we daily present our "members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification" (Ro 6:19-note) we are working "out (our) salvation" (Php 2:12-note) and this process equates with sanctification or experiential righteousness. At the completion of our life Christ's righteousness will be perfected in us. To say it another way, when death ends the process of sanctification and we enter glorification, the experiential righteousness is consummated in perfect positional righteousness. When we have finished our course, we will receive the unfading crown of righteousness from the Lord’s Himself, the righteous Judge. So here the crown Paul is referring to is the righteousness of the Redeemer granted in full perfection to the glorified believer, for as John writes "when He appears, we shall be like Him." (1Jn 3:2-note), glorified and eternally clothed in His perfect righteousness.

Exultation (2746)(kauchesis) refers to the act of boasting about something, of glorying, or showing pride. Kauchesis denotes the exuberant expression of joyful feelings, and sometimes is translated boasting in the righteous sense. Metonymically, it can refer to the matter or cause for glorying or boasting. It is the act of taking pride in something.

Ellicott comments that the Thessalonians were

a chaplet of victory of which Paul might justly make his boast in the day of the Lord.

McGee sums up this last section by asking...

 is anyone going to be in heaven who will come up to you and thank you for having a part in giving out the Word of God? Have you given your support to missions? If you have, someone you have never known, someone from the other side of the earth, may come up to you and thank you for your support of missions. He will thank you for being interested in getting out the Word of God because the Word reached him and enabled him to be saved. That, my friend, is going to be part of the reward that we will get in heaven. We need to recognize that. It is a wonderful hope to look forward to the time when Christ Jesus takes the church out of this world. It is even more joyous to know that someone who trusted Christ because of your witness will go along with you to meet the Lord! (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary:  Thomas Nelson or Logos)

Coming (3952)(parousia [word study] is a combination of two Greek words para = with +  ousia = being (the participial form of the verb eimi = to be) and literally means a "being beside" or a presence.

See Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming

Parousia speaks of the personal presence of a person. In addition it is used to speak of the coming of a person and his arrival or advent.  In Paul's day parousia was common in the Hellenistic world for the formal visits of royalty. It became a technical term for the Second Coming of Christ and is so used eighteen times in the New Testament and seven of these are in the Thessalonian epistles.

The HOPE of Christ's 2nd coming is a...

Living hope (1Pe 1:3-note)
Blessed hope (2Ti 2:13-note)
Joyful hope (1Th 2:19-note)
Comforting hope (1Th 4:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18-see notes 1Th 4:13;14; 15; 16; 17;18)
Hope of glory (Col 1:27-note)
Anchoring hope (He 6:19- note)
Purifying hope (1Jn 3:3-note)

A B Simpson writes that...

THE LORD'S COMING IS A MOTIVE TO FAITHFUL MINISTRY - "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" (1Thes. 2:19.) Here the Apostle bears witness that the Lord's coming was a motive in his own ministry and the inspiring hope of his own loving service for the souls of men. As he tells us elsewhere, he expects to present his beloved people to the heavenly Bridegroom as a delightful trust, and to find in their joy his joy and crown. Our service for Christ is to receive both wages and fruit. The wages are paid now, but the fruit we shall share with Him. To the faithful elders Peter says in this connection, "When the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that does not fade away." (1Pe 5:4-note) And a still more ancient promise declared that "they who turn many to righteousness [shall shine] as the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3)

There is one sense in which the souls we win for Christ shall be eternally linked with our happiness and reward, and be as jewels in our crowns of rejoicing. Are there any who are reading these lines who will wear a starless crown? Have you been accumulating blessings only for yourself, and will it be your sad record, as a man once cabled across the sea to his friends at home after an awful shipwreck in which his family had all perished by his side, "Saved alone"? "Your heaven," Rutherford used to write, "will be two heavens for me; your salvation will be two salvations to me." (A. B. Simpson. Christ in the Bible - Thessalonians)

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Our Daily Bread - THAT'S MY PAY! - A missionary was once asked about his salary. The inquirer knew it couldn't be much, and he wanted to know why anyone would give so generously of himself to help total strangers, yet be paid so little. The missionary pulled out a letter and read these words: "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know Jesus Christ as my Savior. Every morning I kneel in prayer, thanking God for everything you've done for me."

"That's my pay!" exclaimed the dedicated servant of the Lord.

The apostle Paul must have had something similar in mind when he wrote to the believers in Thessalonica. Addressing himself to those he had brought to the Savior, he said, "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you?"(1Th. 2:19).

In a day when there is so much emphasis on acquiring material wealth, how refreshing it is to hear of Christians whose greatest reward is to see people accept Christ and grow in spiritual maturity.

Are you making it a practice to share the gospel with others? If you are, you'll be regarded with the best pay of all. You'll enjoy thrilling satisfaction here on earth, and you can look forward to even greater reward in heaven! -- Richard W. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

God does not pay as others pay,
In goods that perish and decay;
But this is sure, let come what may,
Who does God's work will get God's pay.-- Anon.

Work for the Lord --the retirement plan is out of this world.

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F B Meyer - Our Daily Homily - The tender heart of the apostle suffered keenly in his enforced absence from these beloved converts. He had cherished them as a nurse her children; he would have gladly imparted to them his own soul. Not once nor twice he had sought to see them again, but had been hindered by malign spiritual forces that were very real to him. He found comfort, however, in the thought that, at the Lord’s coming, they and he would be re-united, and that they would be his joy, as now they were his hope. Now they lit his hope to an intenser passion; then they would intensify his joy to a more exquisite fulness.

But there is a further thought. The souls whom he had won for Jesus were to constitute his crown. It was as though they would be woven into a wreath like that given to the ancient athlete, and placed on his brow as he emerged from the terrific conflict of his life — not to be worn there, but cast forthwith at the feet of his Lord. What an incentive was this! Each soul plucked from the enemy would be another jewel for the Master’s crown, and herein a fresh source of heavenly blessedness to himself.

I remember Mr. Spurgeon telling of an old Christian woman in his almshouses, who persisted in saying loving thoughts about her beloved pastor to his face, at which he greatly demurred. He feared that she was making more of him than of Christ. But she said sweetly, “It is written in the Song, ‘Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit two hundred’; so, dear pastor, you must have your two hundred.” Yes, it will be so; we shall partake with Jesus of the fish that we have caught; we shall have fellowship in his exceeding joy over the saved.

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Are (2075) (eimi) is in the present tense which means that the believers at Thessalonica continually were a source of glory and joy to Paul. Their existence in heaven would also be an eternal source of glory and joy to Paul, Silvanus and Timothy! Who will be in heaven that will be your eternal source of glory and joy?

Paul helps us understand the meaning of the Thessalonians saints as his (and Silas and Timothy's) glory in a parallel passage writing that his desire for the saints at Philippi was that they be found...

holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. (Php 2:16, 17-notes)

Paul as a spiritual father felt an ever present responsibility not only to see souls saved but also to present those saved complete or fully mature in Christ...

And we proclaim Him (Christ is believers, the hope of glory), admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ (idea of maturing in Christ, no longer a spiritual babe but one who has grown into a spiritual "adult"). And for this purpose also I labor (toiling to the point of being weary, worn out, exhausted, even faint), striving (agonizomai - Continually contending, fighting, wrestling, straining every nerve to the uttermost to reach the goal) according to His power, which mightily works (continually) within me. (Col 1:28, 29-See notes Col 1:28; 29).

Comment: Spiritual maturity should be the goal of all preaching, warning, and teaching and not to fill seats and entertain the masses.

Joy (5479)(chara from chairo = to rejoice) describes an attitude which is cheerful and glad. It is a happiness not based so much on the world's barometer of happiness (what happens determines if we are happy) but based upon the unchanging promises of God and the eternal spiritual realities which Paul knows are true in the lives of the Thessalonians because he knows their faith is genuine. Joy includes a sense of well being, especially when one knows that all is well between himself or herself and the Lord. In the final analysis although joy is something believers experience, it is ultimately a gift from God. Paul writes that...

the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-note, Ga 5:23-note).

How is your joy quotient? Up? Down? If down, what has quenched the Spirit's fruitfulness in your life? Is their a sin that needs to be confessed and repented? Is their a brother or sister who you need to go to and make amends? Is their a root of bitterness springing up within because someone close has treated you unfairly? Seek first His kingdom (and the King) and His righteousness (right before Him and before men, not duplicitous or hypocritical) and all you need will be added. God's greatest desire for His children is their joy like Paul expresses and He is able to give that joy sometimes in the relationships we have with other believers as in the present scenario.

Chara - 59x in 57v in NAS - Matt 2:10; 13:20, 44; 25:21, 23; 28:8; Mark 4:16; Luke 1:14; 2:10; 8:13; 10:17; 15:7, 10; 24:41, 52; John 3:29; 15:11; 16:20ff, 24; 17:13; Acts 8:8; 12:14; 13:52; 15:3; Rom 14:17; 15:13, 32; 2 Cor 1:24; 2:3; 7:4, 13; 8:2; Gal 5:22; Phil 1:4, 25; 2:2, 29; 4:1; Col 1:11; 1 Thess 1:6; 2:19f; 3:9; 2 Tim 1:4; Philemon 1:7; Heb 10:34; 12:2, 11; 13:17; Jas 1:2; 4:9; 1 Pet 1:8; 1 John 1:4; 2 John 1:12; 3 John 1:4. NAS - greatly(1), joy(54), joyful(1), joyfully(1), joyously(1), rejoicing(1).

Wiersbe summarizes this chapter writing that...