1 Thessalonians 2:2

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:

Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

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1 Thessalonians 2:3 >>

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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1 Thessalonians 2:3 >>

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