2 Thessalonians 1:4

So that (wste). Another example of wste and the infinitive (enkaucasqai) for result as in 1 Thessalonians 1:7 which see. We ourselves (autou hma). Accusative of general reference with the infinitive, but not merely hma (or eautou), perhaps in contrast with en umin (in you), as much as to say, "so that we ourselves, contrary to your expectations, are boasting" (Frame). Enkaucaomai occurs here alone in N.T., but is found in the LXX and in Aesop's Fables, proof enough of its vernacular use. Paul was not above praising one church to other churches, to provoke them to good works. Here he is boasting of Thessalonica in Macedonia to the Corinthians as he did later to the Corinthians about the collection ( 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 ) after having first boasted to the Macedonians about the Corinthians ( 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 ). There were other churches in Achaia besides Corinth ( 2 Corinthians 1:1 ). For (uper). Over, about, like peri ( 1 Thessalonians 1:2 ). In all your persecutions (en pasin toi diwgmoi umwn). Their patience and faith had already attracted Paul's attention ( 1 Thessalonians 1:3 ) and their tribulations qlipsesin ( 1 Thessalonians 1:6 ). Here Paul adds the more specific term diwgmo, old word from diwkw, to chase, to pursue, a word used by Paul of his treatment in Corinth ( 2 Corinthians 12:10 ). Which ye endure (ai anecesqe). B here reads enecesqe, to be entangled in, to be held in as in Galatians 5:1 , but anecesqe is probably correct and the ai is probably attracted to locative case of qlipsesin from the ablative wn after anecesqe, from which ye hold yourselves back (cf. Colossians 3:13 ).