{Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace} (M(880a)phobou, alla lalei kai m(8820)si(9370)(8873)(8869)s). Literally, "stop being
afraid (m(885c) with present middle imperative of phobe(935c)), but go
on speaking (present active imperative of lale(935c)) and do not
become silent (m(885c) and first aorist active of si(9370)a(935c),
ingressive aorist)." Evidently there were signs of a gathering
storm before this vision and message from the Lord Jesus came to
Paul one night. Paul knew only too well what Jewish hatred could
do as he had learned it at Damascus, Jerusalem, Antioch in
Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Thessalonica, Beroea. He had
clearly moments of doubt whether he had not better move on or
become silent for a while in Corinth. Every pastor knows what it
is to have such moods and moments. In  2Th 3:2  (written at this
time) we catch Paul's dejection of spirits. He was like Elijah
( 1Ki 19:4 ) and Jeremiah ( Jer 15:15ff. ).