Chapter II.
(Vers. 1, 2.)
(Vers. 1, 2.) For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But after we had already suffered and been treated with contempt in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in the midst of great opposition. The affliction that he now mentions (Acts 16:16 and following) he suffered in Philippi with Silas because of the spirit of divination that a girl had, which has already been mentioned in its proper place. He who did not yield to pressures, but was found to be stronger, while he dares to preach and does not fear to speak, certainly in hope of the promised reward; so that even these may be secure in persecutions, rejoicing because of the future reward. Therefore, this is said to be the sign of a devoted and faithful preacher, if in distress he does not fear to speak the word of God, signifying thereby the empty one who suffers present fear of preaching. For he who is secure in the hope that has been promised does not yield in order to be crowned.
(Vers. 3, 4.)
(Vers. 3, 4.) For our exhortation is not based on deceit, or impurity, or idolatry, but as we have been approved by God; in order to be entrusted with the Gospel, we speak, not to please people, but God, who examines our hearts. This is why he speaks against false apostles, who preach with deceit and deception, not sent by God, in order to deceive the nations into serving the law of works. But this person, who is chosen and sent, proves himself through many actions; for he is found stronger in times of distress, and blameless in his conduct; so that there would be nothing in him that appears unworthy of God, with accompanying signs. For some were preaching Christ for the sake of gain, serving the favor of men; because they were more lenient in arguing, since they had no authority, and in tribulation they were weak; because their words were not from the heart, but in deceit. For everyone who does something without hope, succumbs when tribulation arises.
(Vers. 5.)
(Verse 5.) For we have never conducted ourselves in flattery, as you know, nor in opportunity for greed. God is witness. Now he reveals what he has already signified, when he says: Not in opportunity for greed, giving God as witness, because he did this from the heart, not in hypocrisy, as if despising little things so that perhaps more would be offered. Therefore, it is fitting for them as well, knowing and approving that no one was deceived; for the false apostles desired to be given the appearance of greed, so that by the opportunity itself, while they see true apostles receiving all things brought, they could themselves plunder simpler men without envy.
(Vers. 6, 7.)
(Verses 6, 7.) Neither seeking glory from men, nor from you, nor from others; although we could have asserted our authority as Christ's apostles among you. It burdens the pseudo-apostles to the extent that they deny themselves, even though they were entitled to receive honor from those who had neither ability nor shame, yet demanded honor for themselves; for they wanted to be commended themselves rather than the doctrine of God. However, the apostle who sought glory not for the present but for the future, made himself humble so that the preaching of God may be exalted.
(Vers. 8.)
(Verse 8.) But we were little children among you, as if a nurse cherishes her own children; so desiring you, we desire to impart to you not only the Gospel of God, but also our own souls; for you have become very dear to us. He shows so much affection towards them (which, because it is true, he wants to be proven not only by words but also by actions; for there can be deception in words), that, provoked by these exhortations, the apostles have their entire being in love.
(Vers. 9.)
(Verse 9.) For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day so as not to burden any of you. This is what he says in the Acts of the Apostles: 'All that was necessary for me and those with me, these hands have provided.' And in another letter he says, 'Whoever does not work should not eat.' And he says this against false apostles, who pretended to be preachers while living in idleness and indulging in food. So, in order to give an example of how Christian life should be governed and to benefit others, he dedicated himself to human labor, overshadowing the false apostles. Furthermore, those who engage in labor turn away from evil thoughts, occupying their minds and guarding against dangers.
(Vers. 10, 11, 12.)
(Verses 10, 11, 12.) We preached to you the Gospel of God. You are witnesses, as is God Himself, of how holy and righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. You know how we treated each one of you, like a father caring for his own children, urging, comforting, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who called you into His kingdom and glory. These things are evident, for they remind them of how they believed when we preached to them, and of the experiences they had with us, and the commands we gave them, so that they may be worthy of God who called them from earth to heaven, that He may raise their joy.
(Vers. 13.)
(Verse 13) Therefore, we also give thanks to God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. We give thanks to God, who has opened their understanding to receive His gospel. For the glory of those who preach is when those who hear readily believe; for they received the word with such devotion that they proved themselves to have understood that it is the teaching of God.
(Vers. 14, 15, 16.)
(Vers. 14, 15, 16.) For, brethren, ye have become imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews; who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and pleased not God, and are contrary to all men; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But the wrath of God came upon them at the uttermost. He complains about the impiety and credulity of the distrustful Jews, who are not only enemies of their own salvation, but also of others, prohibiting them from believing and being saved, from the beginning of being parricides; for they should have spared the common Lord, who did not spare his own subjects and superiors: so that their sins may be filled up, to such an extent that they may never deserve to obtain mercy. Therefore, he says that the Thessalonians suffered the same things from their fellow citizens, imitating the patience of the saints and of our Lord Jesus Christ. He introduces the Jews as the authors of this crime, so that it may be recognized how much glory those are worthy of who suffer for the name of the Lord, and what vengeance is prepared for the hostile and unbelieving.
(Vers. 17, 18.)
(Vers. 17, 18.) But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. Being separated from them through bodily absence, not in affection; for love cannot be divided nor separated: but they say that they desire to see their face for greater instruction. In fact, in divine matters, articles are lacking to comprehend what can be said; for a day is not sufficient to write down what can be expressed in one hour; and let me not say that there are certain mystical aspects of our religion that, due to sensual desires, should not be easily made public in order to avoid scandal. For not all things should be said to everyone, but words should be moderated according to the understanding of each individual, differently for the inexperienced and differently for the learned. Therefore, the presence of the body is required; for in this way the truth of charity is perfected. Although charity is not divided, the absence of the body creates longing: ultimately, the will is fulfilled by a kiss and embrace of souls. Satan, who also reached out his hands to the apostles, claimed to be an obstacle to this matter; so that the reason for truth would not be revealed to men. For he ignited the minds of the treacherous, so that they would detain them with beatings and chains; so that they would not speak the word of God. For the elders of the Jews said to the apostles, 'Did we not strictly command you not to speak in the name of Jesus to those men?' (Acts 5:40). But because what is not from God cannot stand, the obstacles of Satan are dissolved.
(Vers. 19, 20.)
(Verse 19, 20.) For what is our hope or joy or crown of glory? Are you not before our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. It is evident that the perfection of disciples is the joy and crown of the teacher. For these are the ones who will bear the fruit of their labor; for the fruit of the teacher is the obedient disciple, whose good conduct benefits the teacher, and the fruit of the disciple is the labor that they produce. For the labor of the disciple in good work gives a crown to the master, with Christ as the judge.