1 Thessalonians 1:5

1:5 in that ¹  our gospel did not come to you merely in words, ²  but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you). ³ 

1 Thessalonians 2:2

2:2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, ⁴  as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God ⁵  in spite of much opposition.

[1:5]  ¹ tn Or “because.”

[1:5]  ² tn Or “speech,” or “an act of speaking.”

[1:5]  ³ tn Grk “just as you know what sort of people we were among you for your sakes.” Verse 5 reflects on the experience of Paul and his fellow preachers; v. 6 begins to describe the Thessalonians’ response.

[2:2]  ⁴ map For location see JP1 C1; JP2 C1; JP3 C1; JP4 C1.

[2:2]  ⁵ tn The genitive in the phrase τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ (to euangelion tou qeou, “the gospel of God”) could be translated as either a subjective genitive (“the gospel which God brings”) or an objective genitive (“the gospel about God”). Either is grammatically possible. This is possibly an instance of a plenary genitive (see ExSyn 119-21; M. Zerwick, Biblical Greek, §§36-39). If so, an interplay between the two concepts is intended: The gospel which God brings is in fact the gospel about himself. This same phrase occurs in vv. 8 and 9 as well.