1 Thessalonians 2:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} even {G2532} after that we had suffered before {G4310}, and {G2532} were shamefully entreated {G5195}, as {G2531} ye know {G1492}, at {G1722} Philippi {G5375}, we were bold {G3955} in {G1722} our {G2257} God {G2316} to speak {G2980} unto {G4314} you {G5209} the gospel {G2098} of God {G2316} with {G1722} much {G4183} contention {G73}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the contrary, although we had already suffered and been outraged in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage, united with our God, to tell you the Good News even under great pressure.

Berean Standard Bible

As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Thessalonians 2:2, the Apostle Paul vividly recounts the profound suffering and public humiliation he and his companions, Silas and Timothy, endured in Philippi before their arrival in Thessalonica. Despite this harrowing experience, the verse highlights their unwavering, divinely empowered courage to boldly proclaim the gospel of God amidst significant opposition and spiritual conflict, underscoring the supernatural source of their resolve and the inherent struggle in advancing God's kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, specifically within a section (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12) where Paul defends the integrity and authenticity of his ministry among them. Having just reminded them in [1 Thessalonians 1:9-10](/1_thessalonians/1-9-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - Conversion of the Thessalonians") of their conversion and turning from idols, Paul now details the manner and character of his initial evangelistic efforts in Thessalonica. He aims to counter any potential accusations or misunderstandings regarding his motives or methods, emphasizing his selfless, gentle, and laborious approach, contrasting it with the deceitful or exploitative practices of some itinerant teachers of the day. The immediate preceding verse, [1 Thessalonians 2:1](/1_thessalonians/2-1 "1 Thessalonians 2:1 - Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica"), serves as a direct lead-in, stating that their coming to Thessalonica was "not in vain," setting the stage for the explanation of the hardships faced.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events referenced in [1 Thessalonians 2:2](/1_thessalonians/2-2 "1 Thessalonians 2:2 - Paul's Boldness in Thessalonica") occurred during Paul's second missionary journey, specifically after his departure from Philippi and before his arrival in Thessalonica. The suffering "at Philippi" is well-documented in [Acts 16:19-40](/acts/16-19-40 "Acts 16:19-40 - Paul and Silas in Philippi"), where Paul and Silas were publicly flogged, imprisoned, and their feet put in stocks, all without due process, for casting out a spirit from a slave girl. Philippi was a Roman colony, proud of its Roman citizenship and laws, making the public humiliation and unlawful imprisonment particularly egregious. This experience would have been fresh in the minds of the Thessalonian believers, many of whom would have heard the account directly from Paul. The cultural setting of the Roman Empire was often hostile to new, non-sanctioned religions, especially those, like Christianity, that challenged imperial cults or traditional pagan practices. Proclaiming "another king, Jesus" ([Acts 17:7](/acts/17-7 "Acts 17:7 - Accusation against Paul and Silas")) was perceived as a direct threat to Roman authority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Thessalonians and Paul's broader theology. It highlights the theme of **Suffering for the Gospel**, demonstrating that faithful proclamation of the good news often entails opposition and hardship, a reality Paul frequently experienced (e.g., [2 Corinthians 11:23-27](/2_corinthians/11-23-27 "2 Corinthians 11:23-27 - Paul's Sufferings")). Closely related is the theme of **Divine Empowerment and Boldness**, as Paul explicitly states their courage was "in our God," not from their own strength, echoing the Spirit's enabling power seen in [Acts 4:31](/acts/4-31 "Acts 4:31 - Apostles Filled with the Holy Spirit"). Furthermore, it underscores the **Centrality of Gospel Proclamation**, emphasizing that despite severe obstacles, their primary mission remained "to speak unto you the gospel of God." Finally, the phrase "with much contention" introduces the theme of **Spiritual Warfare and Conflict**, recognizing that the advance of God's kingdom is not a passive endeavor but an active struggle against opposing forces, as described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bold (Greek, _parrhēsiázomai'_):** This verb, derived from _parrhēsia_ (freedom of speech), signifies to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor. It describes a courageous and open proclamation of truth, especially in the face of danger or opposition. In this context, it emphasizes that Paul and his companions spoke with unreserved confidence, despite their recent traumatic experience, indicating a divinely supplied courage rather than natural human bravado.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** Referring to the supreme Divinity, this word highlights the ultimate source of their boldness. Their courage was not self-generated but was rooted "in our God," implying a profound reliance on His power, presence, and commission. This emphasizes the theological truth that true spiritual boldness is a gift and enablement from God, not a human achievement.
* **contention (Greek, _agṓn'_):** From this Greek word, we derive "agony." It properly refers to a place of assembly where contests were held, and by implication, a contest, struggle, conflict, or intense effort. It denotes not just a minor disagreement but an arduous, often painful, battle or wrestling match. In this verse, it vividly portrays the severe opposition—whether verbal, physical, or spiritual—that Paul and his team faced in sharing the gospel in Thessalonica, indicating a deep struggle for the truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the backdrop of the apostles' ministry in Thessalonica. The phrase "suffered before" (Greek _propáschō_) and "shamefully entreated" (Greek _hybrízō_) refers to the severe, humiliating, and unlawful abuse they endured in Philippi, as detailed in [Acts 16](/acts/16 "Acts 16 - Paul and Silas in Philippi"). The inclusion of "as ye know" indicates that the Thessalonians were fully aware of these prior hardships, either through direct testimony from Paul or common knowledge among early Christian communities. This shared understanding underscores the remarkable nature of their subsequent boldness.
* **"we were bold in our God"**: This is the pivotal phrase, revealing the source of their courage. Their boldness (Greek _parrhēsiázomai_) was not a product of human resilience or stubbornness, but was rooted "in our God." This highlights a profound theological truth: their ability to persevere and speak fearlessly in the face of adversity was a divine enablement, a supernatural courage granted by God Himself. It implies a deep trust and reliance on God's power and faithfulness, even when circumstances were dire.
* **"to speak unto you the gospel of God"**: This clause clarifies the specific purpose of their divine boldness. Despite their recent trauma, their mission remained unequivocally focused on proclaiming "the gospel of God." This emphasizes the centrality of the good news of Jesus Christ as the core message they were compelled to deliver. The phrase "gospel of God" underscores its divine origin and authority, distinguishing it from human philosophies or mere moral teachings.
* **"with much contention."**: This final phrase describes the challenging environment in which the gospel was proclaimed in Thessalonica. The Greek word _agṓn_ (contention/struggle) implies a significant, often intense, conflict or battle. This was not a ministry free of opposition but one marked by considerable spiritual, intellectual, and possibly physical resistance. It suggests that the act of speaking the gospel itself provoked a strong reaction, requiring sustained effort and perseverance from the apostles.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Contrast** is prominent, setting the apostles' prior suffering and public disgrace ("shamefully entreated") in stark opposition to their subsequent "boldness." This highlights the supernatural nature of their courage, which defies logical human response to such trauma. The phrase "bold **in our God**" functions as an explicit statement of **Divine Agency**, attributing their resilience directly to God's empowering presence rather than their own inherent strength. Furthermore, "with much **contention**" uses **Metaphor** (from the Greek _agṓn_ meaning a contest or struggle) to vividly portray the intense opposition faced by the gospel. This isn't merely a minor disagreement but a profound, often agonizing, battle, implying the spiritual warfare inherent in proclaiming the truth. The verse also serves as a powerful **Testimony**, as Paul recounts his lived experience to affirm the integrity and divine backing of his ministry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Thessalonians 2:2 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of Christian ministry and discipleship: true gospel proclamation is often marked by suffering and contention, yet it is always empowered by God. The apostles' experience demonstrates that the power of God is made perfect in weakness, enabling His servants to fulfill their mission even when facing severe opposition. This verse underscores the divine origin of the gospel and the divine enablement for its proclamation, reminding believers that their strength and courage for God's work come not from human resolve but from intimate reliance on God. It also highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, where the advance of God's kingdom invariably meets resistance, necessitating perseverance and boldness.

* [Acts 14:22](/acts/14-22 "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "God's Grace is Sufficient")
* [Philippians 1:29-30](/philippians/1-29-30 "Suffering for Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The experience of Paul and his companions in 1 Thessalonians 2:2 serves as a timeless paradigm for believers navigating the challenges of faith and witness in a hostile world. It calls us to examine the source of our own courage when facing adversity, reminding us that genuine boldness for Christ is not a human trait but a divine impartation, cultivated through deep reliance on God. This verse encourages us to embrace perseverance, recognizing that opposition is often an expected part of faithful living and gospel proclamation. It challenges us to prioritize the uncompromised declaration of God's truth, even when it demands personal cost or invites conflict. Ultimately, it reassures us that even in the midst of "much contention," God's presence enables His servants to speak His truth effectively, making our weakness a conduit for His strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or witness do you feel a lack of boldness, and how might you cultivate a deeper reliance on God for divine courage?**
* **How does understanding Paul's suffering in Philippi before his ministry in Thessalonica reshape your perspective on personal hardship in the context of serving God?**
* **What "contentions" or forms of opposition do you face when seeking to live out or share your faith, and how can you respond with perseverance "in our God"?**
* **How does the "gospel of God" motivate you to speak truth, even when it is difficult or unpopular?**

### FAQ
**What does "shamefully entreated" mean in the context of Paul's experience?**

Answer: The phrase "shamefully entreated" (Greek _hybrízō_) refers to the severe, public, and humiliating abuse Paul and Silas endured in Philippi. As recounted in [Acts 16:22-24](/acts/16-22-24 "Acts 16:22-24 - Paul and Silas Beaten and Imprisoned"), they were stripped, beaten with rods by magistrates, and then thrown into the inner prison with their feet fastened in stocks. This was not merely physical pain but a profound public disgrace and a violation of their rights as Roman citizens, designed to inflict maximum indignity and deter their message. The fact that they continued to preach the gospel immediately afterward highlights their divinely empowered resilience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The suffering and boldness of Paul and his companions in 1 Thessalonians 2:2 find their ultimate paradigm and empowerment in Christ. Jesus Himself endured profound suffering, rejection, and public humiliation, yet He remained perfectly "bold" in fulfilling His Father's will, culminating in His atoning sacrifice on the cross ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith")). His ministry was also marked by "much contention" from religious and political authorities ([John 7:12](/john/7-12 "John 7:12 - Division Among the People")), yet He faithfully proclaimed the "gospel of God" ([Mark 1:14-15](/mark/1-14-15 "Mark 1:14-15 - Jesus Proclaims the Good News")). Paul's ability to be "bold in our God" is a direct outflow of his union with Christ, who empowers believers by His Spirit to participate in His sufferings and share in His victory ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Knowing Christ and the Power of His Resurrection")). Thus, the apostles' perseverance is a living testament to the power of the crucified and risen Christ working through His servants, demonstrating that the gospel is not only a message about Christ but is also proclaimed through the Christ-like endurance and boldness of His followers.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 16:22

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them].

Acts 16:24

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

2 Timothy 1:12

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Acts 17:2

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Acts 17:9

And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.