Teks -- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 (NET)

2:2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: 1Th 2:2 - But having suffered before

But having suffered before ( alla propathontes ).

Strong adversative alla , antithesis to kenē . Appeal to his personal experiences in Thessalonica known to them ( as ye know , kathōs oidate ). Second aorist active participle of propaschō , old compound verb, but here alone in the N.T. The force of prȯ (before) is carried over to the next verb. The participle may be regarded as temporal (Ellicott) or concessive (Moffatt).

Robertson: 1Th 2:2 - And been shamefully entreated in Philippi

And been shamefully entreated in Philippi ( kai hubristhentes en Philippois ).

First aorist passive participle of hubrizō , 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 notes on 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.

Robertson: 1Th 2:2 - We waxed bold in our God

We waxed bold in our God ( eparrēsiasametha en tōi theōi hēmōn ).

Ingressive first aorist middle of parrēsiazomai , old deponent verb from parrēsia (full story, pan -, rēsia ). In his reply to Festus (Act 26:26) Paul uses parrēsiazomenos lalō , being bold I speak , while here he has we waxed bold to speak (eparrēsiasametha lalēsai ). 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 (pros humās ), be the consequences what they might, the gospel of God in much conflict , (to euaggelion tou theou en pollōi agōni ). This figure of the athletic games (agōn ) may refer to outward conflict like Phi 1:30 or inward anxiety (Col 2:1). He had both in Thessalonica.

Vincent: 1Th 2:2 - Having suffered before

Having suffered before ( προπαθόντες )

N.T.o . Although we had suffered.

Vincent: 1Th 2:2 - Having been shamefully entreated

Having been shamefully entreated ( ὑβρισθέντες )

Comp. Matthew 22; Luk 18:32; Act 14:5. This may have been added because προπαθόντες alone might denote the experience of something good; but it is more probably intended as an expansion and illustration of that word. Paul's sensitiveness to personal indignity appears in the narrative in Acts 16, which gives the historical explanation of the two words. It appears frequently in 2nd Corinthians.

Vincent: 1Th 2:2 - As ye know

As ye know ( καθὼς οἴδατε )

One of the many characteristic expressions of these Epistles which indicate community of experience and sentiment on the part of Paul and his readers. See 1Th 1:5, 1Th 1:8; 1Th 2:1, 1Th 2:5, 1Th 2:10, 1Th 2:11; 1Th 3:3, 1Th 3:4, 1Th 3:12; 1Th 4:1, 1Th 4:2, 1Th 4:6, 1Th 4:11; 1Th 5:1, 1Th 5:11; 2Th 2:16; 2Th 3:1, 2Th 3:2.

Vincent: 1Th 2:2 - Philippi

Philippi

See Acts 16:19-40; Phi 1:1.

Vincent: 1Th 2:2 - We waxed bold

We waxed bold ( ἐπαρρησιασάμεθα )

Only once elsewhere in Paul, Eph 6:20. Frequent in Acts. Always in N.T. in connection with speaking. Derived from πᾶν every , and ῥῆσις speaking . Hence παρρησία boldness , bold speaking out of every word . The noun is very often used adverbially, as παρρησίᾳ boldly or openly , Mar 8:32; see also Joh 18:20. In Acts always μετὰ παρρησίας with boldness , comp. Heb 4:16. Ἑν παρρησίᾳ in boldness , Joh 7:4; Joh 16:29; Eph 6:19; Phi 1:20. Both the verb and the noun are found in lxx. See Lev 26:13; Pro 10:10; Wisd. 5:1; 1 Macc. 4:18; Sir. 6:11.

Vincent: 1Th 2:2 - In our God

In our God ( ἐν τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν )

Const. with we waxed bold . Their boldness was not mere natural courage, but was inspired by God. There is a slight emphasis on our God, as contrasted with the idols from which they had turned (1Th 1:9). The phrase only here in N.T.

Vincent: 1Th 2:2 - Gospel of God

Gospel of God ( εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Θεοῦ )

For the phrase see Mar 1:14; Rom 1:1; Rom 15:16; 2Co 11:7; 1Th 2:8, 1Th 2:9; 1Pe 4:17. It points to the monotheistic character of the gospel.

Vincent: 1Th 2:2 - In much contention

In much contention ( ἐν πολλῷ ἀγῶνι )

Better conflict . Comp. Col 2:1; Phi 1:27; 1Ti 6:12; Heb 12:1. Ἁγὼν originally of a contest in the arena; but it is used of any struggle, outward or inward.

Wesley: 1Th 2:2 - We had suffered

In several places.

Wesley: 1Th 2:2 - We are bold

Notwithstanding.

Wesley: 1Th 2:2 - With much contention

Notwithstanding both inward and outward conflicts of all kinds.

JFB: 1Th 2:2 - even after that we had suffered before

At Philippi (Acts 16:11-40): a circumstance which would have deterred mere natural, unspiritual men from further preaching.

JFB: 1Th 2:2 - shamefully entreated

Ignominiously scourged (Act 16:22-23).

JFB: 1Th 2:2 - bold

(Act 4:29; Eph 6:20).

JFB: 1Th 2:2 - in our God

The ground of our boldness in speaking was the realization of God as "OUR God."

JFB: 1Th 2:2 - with much contention

That is, literally, as of competitors in a contest: striving earnestness (Col 1:29; Col 2:1). But here outward conflict with persecutors, rather than inward and mental, was what the missionaries had to endure (Act 17:5-6; Phi 1:30).

Clarke: 1Th 2:2 - Shamefully entreated - at Philippi

Shamefully entreated - at Philippi - There Paul and Silas had been beaten with many stripes, shut up in the inner prison, and their feet made fast in the stocks. See Act 16:23, etc.; and the notes there

Clarke: 1Th 2:2 - With much contention

With much contention - The words εν πολλῳ αγωνι not only signify, with intense labor and earnestness, but may here mean, exposed to the greatest danger; at the peril of our lives. The Greek phrase quoted by Rosenmuller is to the point, αγων προφασιν ουκ αναμενει, in danger we must not delay - activity and despatch are then indispensably necessary.

Defender: 1Th 2:2 - shamefully entreated

The Thessalonians were well aware of Paul's beating and imprisonment at Philippi (Act 16:22-24) shortly before he and Silas had come to Thessalonica. Paul, not intimidated, proceeded to preach the gospel in the synagogue at Thessalonica, where he and Silas again encountered opposition (Act 17:1-9)."

TSK: 1Th 2:2 - shamefully // bold // much

shamefully : Act 5:41, Act 16:12, Act 16:22-24, Act 16:37; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 11:36, Heb 11:37, Heb 12:2, Heb 12:3; 1Pe 2:14-16

bold : 1Th 1:5; Act 4:13, Act 4:20,Act 4:31, Act 14:3, Act 17:2, Act 17:3; Eph 6:19, Eph 6:20

much : Act 6:9, Act 6:10, Act 15:1, Act 15:2, Act 17:2-9, Act 17:17, Act 19:8; Phi 1:27-30; Col 2:1; Jud 1:3

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Th 2:2 - We were bold // In our God // To speak unto you the gospel of God // With much contention

Here the apostle begins a new discourse, giving an account more particularly of himself, and of his carriage among them, which he mentions as a subordinate reason why his ministry was so successful; for the evil example of ministers often spoils the success of their ministry. And what he speaks would savour of vain-glory, but that he had therein a holy end; as he excuseth his boasting to the Corinthians and other churches upon the same account. And he first mentions his carriage in the discharge of his ministry among them. A little before his coming to them he had suffered and was shamefully entreated, at Philippi where he and Silas were beaten, thrust into an inner prison, and set in the stocks as a couple of villains, Act 16:23,24 ; yet this did not damp their spirits, nor discourage their coming and preaching to them.

We were boldeparrhsiasameya , we used great confidence and liberty of speech, we were not afraid to speak the gospel freely, notwithstanding our sufferings. The same he asserts, 2Co 3:12 . And this becomes the gospel, and will be to the advantage of it, and is most commendable in a time of persecution.

In our God depending upon his protection and help, who is our God, and who sent and called us to the work of the gospel, and particularly in Macedonia: and to show he was not bold beyond his call and duty, or the rules of truth and sobriety.

To speak unto you the gospel of God the glad tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ; which gospel, though we have called it ours because preached by us, yet it is the gospel of God, as being the original author and ordainer of it.

With much contention with much agony: which is either to be taken actively, for their great earnestness and zeal in speaking, as Luk 13:24 ; or passively, for the perils they encountered therein, Phi 1:30 : by both which the Thessalonians might be induced, though not enabled, to believe. As he elsewhere calls the ministry a warfare, 1Ti 1:18 , and a fight, 2Ti 4:7 , (the very word used in the text), with respect to the difficulties and dangers attending it, or the opposition of false teachers; they contending for the faith, Jud 1:3 .

Gill: 1Th 2:2 - But even after that we had suffered before // and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi // we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much contention // with much contention

But even after that we had suffered before,.... Before they came to Thessalonica, which they would not have done, had their ministry been a light and empty one in itself, and unprofitable to others; and especially had this been the case, they would never have rashly engaged in it again, and exposed themselves to fresh sufferings and dangers, as they did:

and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi; being beaten with many stripes, and put into prison, and their feet made fast in the stocks, at the instigation of the masters of the damsel that had a spirit of divination, by whom they got much gain, and which Paul dispossessed; see Act 16:16

we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much contention: and which still made it more manifestly appear, that the errand they came upon was a matter of importance, and that they did not proceed on a slight foundation: what they spoke was "the Gospel", salvation by Christ, and not by the works of the law; the pure Gospel, and not a mixed one, free from the mixture of all human doctrines and inventions of men, without any adulteration and inconsistency; the whole of the Gospel, and not a part of it only; they declared the whole counsel of God, and kept back nothing that might be profitable: and this is styled the Gospel of God, to distinguish it from the Gospel of men, or that which the false teachers taught, and which was called the Gospel, though it was not so; and to express the excellency of it, from the author of it, who is God, it being the produce of his wisdom and grace; and from the matter of it, it containing the good will of God to men, setting forth the grace of God in election, redemption, justification, pardon, adoption, regeneration, and glorification, and expressing things relating to the kingdom of God, a meetness for it, and a right unto it; and it being so called shows it to be something divine, a message sent from God to sinful men; and gives a reason why the apostles were so bold to speak it, because it was not of men, but God. The Syriac version renders it the "Gospel of Christ"; see Rom 1:16 and it being so, they "were bold to speak it"; or they spoke it both with liberty of mind, the Spirit of God being with them, and with freedom of speech, a door of utterance being opened for them; as also with great courage and intrepidity, notwithstanding what they had suffered before, and the ill treatment they had met with at Philippi; and though they knew that the Gospel they spoke was contrary to the Jews, was a stumblingblock to them, and they had an inveterate prejudice against it; and was foolishness to the Greeks, and was derided by them, and they were sure to meet with reproach and persecution on account of it: yet they boldly and faithfully preached it, fearing not the face of men, nor their revilings: though it was

with much contention; referring to the tumult raised by the baser sort, who, instigated by others, assaulted Jason and the brethren, where the apostles were, Act 18:5 or to the disputes which they had with the unbelieving Jews, who contradicted and blasphemed what they said; or to the division the Gospel made, as through the corruption of nature it makes wherever it comes, between the nearest relations and friends, some being for it, and others against it; or this may be expressive of the zeal with which the apostles preached, who earnestly contended for it, as persons in a combat or agony; they fought the good fight of faith valiantly, they endured hardness as good soldiers of Christ, and gave not way to the enemy, no, not for an hour: and all this was "in our God"; or "by the confidence" of our God, as the Syriac version renders it; trusting in him and relying upon him, being assisted by his grace, and strengthened by his power, and receiving much encouragement from a view of him as a covenant God; faith in God as a covenant God, will make a man bold in his cause; see Dan 3:17.