Bold in Our God to Speak 1 Thessalonians 2:2

Paul the apostle reminded the church members in Thessalonica his “entrance in unto” them “was not in vain”. In chapter two and verse two, Paul shared how he “suffered” and was “shamefully entreated” “at Philippi” and was still “bold in” His “God to speak” the “gospel with much contention” with the Thessalonians. We read:

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.

The verse begins, “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated,...” Paul began with the word “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, with exception or restriction” “even after that we had suffered before” or “underwent hardship previously” “and were shamefully entreated” which means “insolently, wantonly, despitefully, reproachfully, outrageously and with injury spoken evil of and abused”. Even though Paul the apostle and those with him were on a mission to share the gospel with the Gentile nations, there was no insolation against adversity, suffering and shame for proclaiming it.

The verse goes on to say, “...at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” Paul went on to add, “at Philippi” which means “lover of horses” and was “a city of Macedonia located on or near the northern coast of the Aegean Sea, between the rivers Strymon and Nestus, and the cities Neapolis and Amphipolis” “we were bold” or “freely spoken, showing assurance and assuming a confident bearing” “in our God” which refers to “the Godhead, trinity, consisting of God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit” “to speak” or “utter, use the tongue to articulate sounds, talk, declare and tell one's mind an disclose one's thoughts” “unto you” which refers to “the Thessalonican church members” “the gospel” which means “good and glad tidings or news” “of God” or ““the Godhead, trinity, consisting of God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit”” “with much contention” which means “a lot of struggling, battle, trial and contest”. Even though Paul and his entourage were beaten, shamefully mistreated, whipped and put in prison in the city of Philippi, he went on to share the gospel in the city of Thessalonica.

When we consider Paul's words, we should reference the book of Acts chapter sixteen and verses twenty-two thru twenty-four concerning Paul's experience at Philippi which reads:

“And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.”

How bold would we be to share the gospel after that experience? Many people believe the Christian walk should be without contention and adversity, however, this was not the case for Paul and his group. He suffered, and yet still continued to share the gospel. It is interesting to note that Paul was “bold in” his “God” and not in himself. He knew within himself was resistance to pain and suffering, and the natural inclination was to stop sharing Jesus with others, yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul and the group with him shared the saving grace of Jesus Christ with those in Thessalonica, and he suffered there as well. Perhaps our prayer should be to ask the Lord for boldness to declare His gospel regardless of the results of doing so, and when we do, may the Lord soften the hearts of those who hear us to receive Him as did those within the Thessalonican church.

Next time Paul shares how he and his “exhortation was not of deceit”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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