Matthew Poole Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:2 - 2:2

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Matthew Poole Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:2 - 2:2


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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 bold; eparrhsiasameya, 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.