Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
But having suffered before (alla propaqontev). Strong adversative alla, antithesis to kenh. Appeal to his personal experiences in Thessalonica known to them (
as ye know, kaqwv oidate). Second aorist active participle of propasxw, old compound verb, but here alone in the N.T. The force of pro- (before) is carried over to the next verb. The participle may be regarded as temporal (Ellicott) or concessive (Moffatt).
And been shamefully entreated in Philippi (kai ubrisqentev en Filippoiv). First aorist passive participle of ubrizw, old verb, to treat insolently. "More than the bodily suffering it was the personal indignity that had been offered to him as a Roman citizen" (Milligan), for which account see Acts 16:16-40, an interesting example of how Acts and the Epistles throw light on each other. Luke tells how Paul resented the treatment accorded to him as a Roman citizen and here Paul shows that the memory still rankled in his bosom.
We waxed bold in our God (eparrhsiasameqa en tw qew hmwn). Ingressive first aorist middle of parrhsiazomai, old deponent verb from parrhsia (full story, pan-, rhsia). In his reply to Festus (Acts 26:26) Paul uses parrhsiazomenov lalw,
being bold I speak, while here he has
we waxed bold to speak (eparrhsiasameqa lalhsai). The insult in Philippi did not close Paul's mouth, but had precisely the opposite effect "in our God." It was not wild fanaticism, but determined courage and confidence in God that spurred Paul to still greater boldness in Thessalonica,
unto you (prov umav), be the consequences what they might,
the gospel of God in much conflict, (to euaggelion tou qeou en pollw agwni). This figure of the athletic games (agwn) may refer to outward conflict like Philippians 1:30 or inward anxiety (Colossians 2:1). He had both in Thessalonica.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Thessalonians 2:2:
Luke 11:45
Acts 16:22
Acts 17:3
Ephesians 6:20
Philippians 1:30
1 Thessalonians 1:5
1 Thessalonians 2:1
1 Thessalonians 2:5
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