Preaching in Spite of Opposition

[251 words] “We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition” (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Never do we hear Paul complain, and his causes to complain would be many. Just a shipwreck and a stoning would be enough for me. No, his eyes are so ever-fixed on Jesus and the end goal of his faithful service that whatever he had to endure was worth it if the gospel could be heard and obeyed. In fact, in this whole chapter he seems to indicate that the less glitz and glimmer the gift is packaged in, the better to show the gospel for the good news it is. When others saw Paul’s suffering, toil, and hardship for the sake of the gospel, then his motive for bringing it to them could…