Explanation of the Text 1 Thess 2 Paul's Visit to Thessaloniki was not a Failure.
1Th 2:1 For you yourselves, brethren, know that our visit to you did not fail of its purpose.
Christians in Pakistan: Aisia Bibi 9 years in a Pakistan Prison
Paul's Ministry in Thessaloniki.
Our Visit = Our way in or our Entrance. [eisodon]
did not fail of its purpose.
i.e that it was not in vain. It was not a failure NIV. It had not become empty. (Literal)
Every pastor watches wistfully t see what will be the outcome of his work. We want to know that our work has not been fruitless or ineffective.
1Co 15:14 And if Christ has not risen, it follows that what we preach is a delusion, and that your faith also is a delusion.
1Co 15:17 and if Christ has not risen, your faith is a vain thing--you are still in your sins.
Empty preaching leads leads to vain or empty faith in God.
1Th 2:2 But, as you will remember, after we had already met with suffering and outrage at Philippi, we summoned up boldness, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News amid much opposition.
after we had already met with suffering and outrage at Philippi,
[kai hubristhentes en Philippois]
hubrizo = to treat insolently
"More than bodily suffering it was the personal human indignity given to them as Roman Citizens." Milligan. see Acts 16 : 16-40
May the Lord make more and more Christians will to suffer to spread the Good News like those in China and India are doing today.
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we summoned up boldness, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News amid much opposition.
Boldness to speak. The outrage at Philippi did not shut them up, but had the opposite effect , "in our God =by the help of our God.
It was not just wild fanaticism, but determined Courage and Confidence in God that had spurred them on to Greater Boldness in God the consequences being whatever they might be.
Christians in Pakistan: Aisia Bibi 9 years in a Pakistan Prison
to tell you God's Good News amid much opposition.
[en polloi agoni] amid much conflict in the Arena of Proclaiming the Good News of God. Compare
Mar 1:14 Then, after John had been thrown into prison, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming God's Good News.
Rom 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, set apart to proclaim God's Good News,
Rom 15:16 that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles, doing priestly duties in connexion with God's Good News so that the sacrifice--namely the Gentiles--may be acceptable to Him, being (as it is) an offering which the Holy Spirit has made holy.
Rom 15:17 I can therefore glory in Christ Jesus concerning the work for God in which I am engaged.
2Co 11:7 Is it a sin that I abased myself in order for you to be exalted, in that I proclaimed God's Good News to you without fee or reward?
1Th 2:8 Seeing that we were thus drawn affectionately towards you, it would have been a joy to us to have imparted to you not only God's Good News, but to have given our very lives also, because you had become very dear to us.
The Errand they were on was of such importance that they proceeded on their mission despite all the opposition. They had the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News of Salvation to proclaim, and they kept back nothing despite the circumstances. ( Notes from John Gill)
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