Philippians 1:14

Philippians 1:14. And that most of the brethren in the Lord. ‘Brethren in the Lord' or ‘in Christ' (Colossians 1:2) is not the common expression in the New Testament, and seems to signify no more than the usual ‘brethren.' It is clear from what follows that it includes all who in any way identified themselves with the cause of Christ, whether their adherence were very sincere or not.

waxing confident by my bonds. When they saw Paul still earnest in the preaching of Christ in spite of the suffering which it had brought upon him, they were more induced to believe in the reality of his teaching, seeing him thus supported under afflictions.

are more abundantly bold. They might have been bold under other circumstances had they heard the Gospel from St. Paul while he was at liberty, but the apostle seems to declare that in the present case they are more courageous than they would then have been.

to speak the word of God without fear. All the oldest MSS. add ‘of God.' Of course the sense is the same whether they be added or omitted. The two forms are found in the same narrative (Acts 4:4; Acts 4:31).