Philippians 1:14

many Better, most. It is noticeable that the Apostle should imply that there were exceptions. Possibly, he refers here to what comes out more clearly below, the difference between friendly and unfriendly sections among the Roman Christians. We can scarcely doubt (in view of Romans 16 and Acts 28) that the friendly were the majority. If so, St Paul may here practically say that a majority of the brethren were energized into fresh efforts, by his imprisonment, while a minority, also stirred into new activity, were acting on less worthy motives. In view of the context, this seems more likely than that he should merely imply by this phrase that the revival of activity was not universal.

In any case, this verse implies that a spirit of languor and timidity had recently infected the believing community at Rome.

the brethren in the Lord So also R.V. Bps Ellicott and Lightfoot connect the words here otherwise; "the brethren, having in the Lord confidence, &c." Grammatically, either is possible. But to us the "rhythm of the sentence," a sort of evidence not easy to define and explain, but a real item for decision, seems to plead for the connexion in the text. It is true that the precise phrase "brethren in the Lord" is not found elsewhere. But a near parallel is Romans 16:13, "Rufus, the chosen one in the Lord"; for there too the words "in the Lord" are in a certain sense superfluous. See too Romans 16:8; Romans 16:10.

waxing confident More strictly and simply (for the Greek participle is practically, though not in form, a present), being confident, confiding. The idea is that of a sense of rest and reassurance after misgivings.

by my bonds More closely, perhaps, in my bonds. The "confidence was, in a sense, reposed "in," or on, Paul's chains, his captivity, just so far as that captivity vividly reminded the Roman believers of the sacredness and goodness of the cause, and of the Person, for whose sake the Apostle unflinchingly incurred it and willingly bore it. The heart is the best interpreter of such words.

For the construction in the Greek, cp. Philemon 1:21, the only exact N.T. parallel. It is found, but rarely, in the LXX.

are much more bold Lit., and better, more abundantly venture. They "venture" more often, more habitually, than of late. On the bearing of such statements on the date of the Epistle see Introduction, p. 16.

to speak the word "The word of the cross" (1 Corinthians 1:18); "of truth" (Ephesians 1:13); "of life" (below, Philippians 2:16); "of Christ" (Colossians 3:16); "of the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:15); &c. It is the revealed and delivered accountof what Christ is, has wrought, &c. It is observable that St Paul regards such "speaking" as the work, not only of the class of ordained Christians, but of Christians in general. See further on Philippians 2:16.