You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
with joy of the Holy Ghost: Joy is a product of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Hogg and Vine believe "in much affliction" describes the external effect of the gospel, while "with joy of the Holy Ghost" states the internal effect. "The Holy Spirit works in a sphere the violence of man can never reach" (39). "The same Spirit who gave power to those who preached the gospel gave joy to those who received it" (Stott 35).