1 Thessalonians 2:2

Paul’s Conduct

1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.

2 But¹ even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at ^aPhilippi, as you know, we were ^bbold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

3 ^aFor our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

4 But as ^awe have been approved by God ^bto be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, ^cnot as pleasing men, but God ^dwho tests our hearts.

5 For ^aneither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a¹ cloak for covetousness—^bGod is witness.

6 ^aNor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when ^bwe might have ^cmade demands ^das apostles of Christ.

7 But ^awe were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased ^ato impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also ^bour own lives, because you had become dear to us.

9 For you remember, brethren, our ^alabor and toil; for laboring night and day, ^bthat we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

10 ^aYou are witnesses, and God also, ^bhow devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;

11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and¹ charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,

12 ^athat you would walk worthy of God ^bwho calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Their Conversion

13 For this reason we also thank God ^awithout ceasing, because when you ^breceived the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it ^cnot as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively ^dworks in you who believe.

14 For you, brethren, became imitators ^aof the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For ^byou also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

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1 Thessalonians 2:2

But even after that we had suffered before - Before we came among you.

And were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi - Acts 16:19 ff. By being beaten and cast into prison. The shame of the treatment consisted in the fact that it was wholly undeserved; that it was contrary to the laws; and that it was accompanied with circumstances designed to make their punishment as ignominious as possible. The Thessalonians knew of this, and Paul was not disposed to palliate the conduct of the Philippians. What was "shameful treatment" he speaks of as such without hesitation. It is not wrong to call things by their right names, and when we have been abused, it is not necessary that we should attempt to smooth the matter over by saying that it was not so.

We were bold in our God - By humble dependence on the support of our God. It was only his powerful aid that could have enabled them to persevere with ardor and zeal in such a work after such treatment The meaning here is, that they were not deterred from preaching the gospel by the treatment which they had received, but at the very next important town, and on the first opportunity, they proclaimed the same truth, though there was no security that they might not meet with the same persecution there. Paul evidently appeals to this in order to show them that they were not impostors, and that they were not influenced by the hope of ease or of selfish gains. People who were not sincere and earnest in their purposes would have been deterred by such treatment as they had received at Philippi.

With much contention - Amidst much opposition, and where great effort was necessary. The Greek word here used is ̓́ agōni (agony), a word referring usually to the Grecian games; notes, Colossians 2:1. It means the course, or place of contest; and then the contest itself, the strife, the combat, the effort for victory; and the apostle here means, that owing to the opposition there, there was need of an effort on his part like the desperate struggles of those who contended for the mastery at the Grecian games; compare notes on I Corinthians 9:24-27. The triumph of the gospel there was secured only by an effort of the highest kind, and by overcoming the most formidable opposition.

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 1 Thessalonians 2:2:**

Colossians 2:1
1 Thessalonians 1:1
1 Timothy 1:13
1 John 4:6

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