2:2 we had boldness in our God. Despite being called by God to enter Macedonia (Acts 16:9, 10), Paul and Silas had been severely beaten and chained in a Macedonian prison (at Philippi). The missionaries had to be courageous and selflessly devoted to God’s purpose.

the gospel of God. Paul stresses the pure, and indeed divine, source of his message and ministry. Note the repetition of the phrase in vv. 8 and 9. The gospel is always carried as a trust from God Himself.