Philippians 1:12-18

Paul Stresses That Though He Is In Chains It Has Turned Out To Be Of Benefit To The Gospel Of Christ, Something Which Causes Him To Rejoice (Philippians 1:12).

It is apparent from what follows that Paul was chained to a Roman soldier, restricting his free movement, although seemingly not hindering his ability to go on ministering. That Paul naturally felt his chains deeply comes out here in his threefold mention of them. But it is clear that he also looked at them positively, as having had a positive benefit.

He must have been well aware of the effect that the news of his arrest would have had on the churches that he had founded. He knew that they were probably in shock at the thought that he, Paul, their mentor, was no longer free and able to minister to them. They may well have been asking, ‘Why has God allowed it?' But they had reacted well in sending Epaphroditus with a gift to him in his hour of need, and to enquire what the situation was, and now he knew that they were awaiting news of his situation. He knew also that they would learn that he was in chains. Thus he wanted to encourage them by the recognition that his chains were actually advancing the Gospel of Christ. They were not a sign that God's work was being restricted, but a means by which it was abounding.

Thus he portrays his chains as having:

1) Acted as a witness to the whole Praetorian guard (Philippians 1:13).

2) Encouraged his brothers in the Lord to preach more boldly (Philippians 1:14).

3) Spurred on his rivals to preach more widely, even if from the wrong motive, with the result that Christ was being proclaimed (Philippians 1:15).

It made it evident that there was therefore no need for them to despair.

Analysis.

a Now I would have you know, brothers and sister, that the things which happened to me have fallen out rather to the progress of the gospel, so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest (Philippians 1:12).

b And that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear (Philippians 1:14).

c Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife, and some also of good will.

b The one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel, but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds (Philippians 1:15).

a What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice (Philippians 1:18).

Note that in ‘a' things have fallen out to the progress of the Gospel, while in the parallel Christ is preached ‘in every way'. In ‘b' his being in bonds has resulted in the Gospel being preached more abundantly, and in the parallel his being in bonds has resulted in all kinds preaching the Gospel although his situation is being made worse by factions who are seeking by their preaching to add to his afflictions. Centrally in ‘c' the two types of preachers are analysed.