Philippians 1:16

οἱ μὲν ἐξ�. On the order of the clauses here, see critical note.

εἰς� … κεῖμαι. In defensionem … positus sum (Vulgate).—For ἀπολογία, see note on Philippians 1:7 above.—Κεῖμαι: “I am set.” For a similar use of the verb see Luke 2:34, οὗτος κεῖται εἰς πτῶσιν κτλ.; 1 Thessalonians 3:3. The thought is as of a soldier posted; (perhaps not without a reference to his “lying” in the prison which was his present “post”; but κεῖσθαι is at least very rare in this reference). These loyal and loving Christians were animated to co-operation by the fact of St Paul’s plainly providential presence at Rome, to be a witness and expounder of the Gospel. He was to be their centre and point d’appui; they, in their freedom of movement, his helpers everywhere.