Knowing The Word in Philippians 1:12-18, The Advance of the Gospel

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. [Paul’s present imprisonment has ultimately been to the advantage of the gospel, which is a cause for joy. His confinement has done two things. First, his captors and guards have been made aware of Christ. Second, believers in Rome are more actively proclaiming the gospel of Jesus. Since Paul can no longer publicly preach Christ, they have stepped in to pick up the slack. Along with Paul, they understand his imprisonment to be appointed by God, so that Paul can say in verse 7, that it is grace to be imprisoned for the defense of the gospel. From the Roman point of view, Paul is on trial over a matter of whether Christians are still under the banner of Judaism or, perhaps, because of treason, since they proclaim Jesus to be another Lord than Caesar.]

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. [Some are using this time to gain a personal battle against Paul, not recognizing the providence of God in his imprisonment.] 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. [Ultimately it does not matter what encourages one to preach the gospel because Christ is proclaimed! Paul’s passion for Jesus led him to an understanding of discipleship in which the disciple takes up a cross to follow Jesus and participate in his sufferings.]

Prayer

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.