2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know,we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
External conflict is in view. This is supported by the wider context of the passage (1 Thessalonians 2:14–15) and by the evidence of Acts regarding the opposition Paul faced while preaching in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5–9).
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.