1 Thessalonians 2:2

Text (1 Thessalonians 2:2)

2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict.

Translation and Paraphrase

2. On the contrary, even though we had suffered previously (in many places), and had been treated insultingly at Philippi (just before we came to Thessalonica), as you know, we were bold (and free) in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God (even though we did so) in much anguish of mind.

Notes (1 Thessalonians 2:2)

1.

This verse emphasizes that Paul's work among the Thessalonians was BOLD. Boldness is the first great need of Christian workers. It takes much boldness to go knock on a stranger's door, seeking an opportunity to talk about Christ. It takes boldness to teach God's word in a place where people do not want what you are teaching. If a person has already endured opposition in other places, the boldness is doubly tested, because of fears created by past difficulties. The early Christians prayed for boldness. Acts 4:29. Paul asked for prayer that he might speak boldly. Ephesians 6:19-20; Philippians 1:20. Did you ever pray that God would give you boldness? Some people are bold to practice evil, but we need to be bold to declare the whole counsel of God.

2.

Before Paul ever came to Thessalonica, he had been rejected at several towns during his first missionary trip. See Acts, Chapter s 13 and 14. He had been stoned at Lystra. Acts 14:19. Truly he had suffered before.

3.

Then at Philippi, the city he visited immediately before preaching in Thessalonica, he was treated most shamefully. The expression shamefully entreated (Gr., hubridzo) means to treat one insolently and shamefully, emphasizing the attitude of the abusers. This accurately describes the treatment Paul received at Philippi. There he was (1) arrested illegally after healing a girl; (2) put through a mock trial; (3) scourged unlawfully; (4) severely imprisoned. Read Acts 16:11-40 for details.

4.

In the light of Paul's previous experiences, it would have been understandable if he had been fearful and hesitant in Thessalonica. His work might have been in vain (or fruitless) because of fears generated by past experiences. BUT that was not the case. (The word but used in this verse (Gr., alla) indicates a strong contrast between the possibility of his work being in vain, and what it actually was.) Paul's boldness in preaching in Thessalonica is described in Acts 17:1-5.

5.

Paul was bold in our God to speak. If it had not been for the help and fellowship of God, Paul could never have done what he did. It was only by God's help that Paul went in triumph from place to place, 2 Corinthians 2:14. It is likewise only by God's help that we can do His work.

6.

The phrase the gospel of God, is frequently used by Paul and other writers in the N.T. See 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9; Romans 1:1; Romans 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; Mark 1:14; 1 Peter 4:17. The phrase, gospel of Christ, is also quite common. See 1 Thessalonians 3:2; Philippians 1:27.

7.

Paul may have been bold in preaching in Thessalonica, but he was far from insensible to the mental anguish, and the possible physical pain also. He declares that he spoke the gospel with much contention. The word translated contention (agonia) is the word from which we get our English word agony. It refers to severe mental struggles and emotions, agony, anguish. Any sincere preacher often preaches in agony, fearing he will not say the words he ought to say, or fearing he will say things he should not say, and sometimes fearing how people will receive what he says. The acute suffering in Paul's mind shows how far he was from being a Stoic. Suffering is real. But, thank God, it has its rewards, both in the development of our personalities, and in heaven.