Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:2 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Th 2:2 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
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.
shamefully entreated--ignominiously scourged (Act 16:22-23).
bold-- (Act 4:29; Eph 6:20).
in our God--The ground of our boldness in speaking was the realization of God as "OUR God."
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). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But even after that we had suffered before - Before we came among you.
And were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi - Act 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 ἀγώνι agōni (agony), a word referring usually to the Grecian games; notes, Col 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 Co1 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. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Having suffered before (προπαθόντες)
N.T.o. Although we had suffered.
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.
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 Th1 1:5, Th1 1:8; Th1 2:1, Th1 2:5, Th1 2:10, Th1 2:11; Th1 3:3, Th1 3:4, Th1 3:12; Th1 4:1, Th1 4:2, Th1 4:6, Th1 4:11; Th1 5:1, Th1 5:11; Th2 2:16; Th2 3:1, Th2 3:2.
Philippi
See Acts 16:19-40; Phi 1:1.
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.
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 (Th1 1:9). The phrase only here in N.T.
Gospel of God (εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Θεοῦ)
For the phrase see Mar 1:14; Rom 1:1; Rom 15:16; Co2 11:7; Th1 2:8, Th1 2:9; Pe1 4:17. It points to the monotheistic character of the gospel.
In much contention (ἐν πολλῷ ἀγῶνι)
Better conflict. Comp. Col 2:1; Phi 1:27; Ti1 6:12; Heb 12:1. Ἁγὼν originally of a contest in the arena; but it is used of any struggle, outward or inward. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| We had suffered - In several places. We are bold - Notwithstanding. With much contention - Notwithstanding both inward and outward conflicts of all kinds. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
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.
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. |
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
13 I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: