Philippians 1:12-18

Outline of 1:12-18

B.

Progress of the gospel in Rome: Philippians 1:12-18

1.

Report of Progress; Philippians 1:12

2.

Ways in which progress has occurred; Philippians 1:13-18

a.

His bonds became manifest in Christ; Philippians 1:13

b.

Most of the brethren are bolder to speak; Philippians 1:14

c.

Christ is preached, even though insincerely; Philippians 1:15-18

(1)

Some preach from envy and strife

(2)

Some preach from good will

(3)

Paul rejoiced in all the preaching; Philippians 1:18

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12. Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel;

Translation and Paraphrase

12. But I (do) want you to know, brothers, that the things (which have happened) to me have come (along in such a way that they have worked out) for the advancement of the gospel.

Notes

1.

Philippians has more of a newsy quality about it than Paul's other epistles. Yet the news is such that it builds up the soul, rather than merely satisfying the curiosity.

2.

The word translated furtherance (or progress) is prokope, and refers to that which cuts open a way for an army or any forward-moving thing.

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13. so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest ;

Translation and Paraphrase

13. (The result has been) that my bonds have become plainly recognized (as associated with my being) in Christ(This has become known throughout the whole Praetorium (the imperial guard) and to all the rest (who are around me).

Notes

1.

Paul reports that now in Rome the chains and bonds he wears are plainly recognized as being in Christ, that is, that the wearer is in Christ and the bonds are the result of his being in Christ. They are not looked upon as bonds worn by one caught in a crime, but they have become a badge of Paul's being in Christ.

2.

The phrase in Christ goes with manifest, rather than with bonds. The bonds were manifest as being the bonds of one in Christ. Paul's imprisonment became a matter of notoriety for his being in Christ. Confinement for such a cause would attract attention and inquiry.

3.

Even the Praetorian guard (KJV, the palace) had come to realize that Paul was in bonds for being in Christ.

The Praetorium was the imperial guard. Originally this body was instituted by Augustus Caesar with 10,000 select soldiers. They were stationed in Rome and in nearby towns. Tiberius Caesar concentrated them all in Rome in a permanent strongly fortified camp. The name Praetorium nonetheless refers to the soldiers themselves, and is not used in a local sense of their camp. These soldiers had special privileges and double pay. In later years they became king-makers, with power to install and depose emperors,
Paul's gospel made a deep impression even among this rough body of men. The soldiers guarding Paul heard him teach his visitors, or conversed with him themselves at other times, When off duty, the guards would relate to others their experiences with Paul.

4.

Paul's bonds were not only manifest to be in Christ among the Praetorian guard, but to all the rest, to all who saw or heard of him.

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14. and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.

Translation and Paraphrase

14. And (I want you to know also that) the greater part of the brethren in the Lord (here), being persuaded by (the example of what I have done in) my bonds, are (now) daring more abundantly to speak the word of God fearlessly (than they ever did before).

Notes

1.

Still more good news! Because of Paul's presence and example, many (that is, more, the greater part) of the Christians in Rome were now more confident and bold to speak of Christ without fear than ever before.

2.

The power of one person who is courageous and faithful to stir up many who are willing but hesitant can be plainly seen in this verse.

3.

This verse sounds very up-to-date. We are mostly fearful and hesitant to, speak boldly of Christ in daily conversation with unbelieving associates. Yet the presence of one committed Christian who does this naturally and effectively will stimulate others greatly. Which are you, the bold example, or the hesitant follower?

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15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16. the one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel; 17. but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds.

Translation and Paraphrase

15. (It is regretfully true that) some indeed are proclaiming Christ because of (their) envy (of me) and (because of their love of) strife; but some also (are preaching) through good will.
16. The one (group do what they do) out of love, realizing that I am appointed for (the) defense of the gospel,
17. but the other proclaim Christ out of factiousness, not sincerely, thinking to stir up affliction (upon me) in my bonds.

Notes

1.

Paul's report about those in Rome who preached in such a way as to make people dislike Paul, while at the same time they were (at least supposedly) preaching Christ, sounds like bad news for Paul. But Paul took an utterly unselfish view about it, and rejoiced that Christ was being preached, even by these envious and factious speakers.

2.

The question as to who these preachers are who preached Christ from motives of envy and strife has exercised the minds of commentators very much, Many suggest that they were the Jewish Christians who tried to force Gentile Christians to keep the law of Moses in addition to their faith in Christ. Such people were called Judaizers. Paul strongly condemned these Jewish legalists in Philippians 3:2-8.

3.

The truth of the matter is that we just do not really know who these troublesome preachers were. It is hard for us to believe that Paul could rejoice that Christ was preached when the preaching consisted of demands to keep the law of Moses. Such Judaizing preachers are called evil workers and dogs in Philippians 3:2. The book of Galatians had been written several years before, and it in Paul had passionately condemned the binding of the law upon Christians.

All of this makes us feel that the Roman preachers who gave Paul trouble were not the Judaizers, but only certain unknown brethren, possibly Gentiles (since few Jewish brethren were with Paul in Rome; See Colossians 4:11), whose hearts were deeply infected by envy and party-spirit.

4.

If this be so, it is not necessary to conclude that Paul approved of half-false denominational-style preaching, or that we should do the same. There was nothing wrong, as far as we can tell, with the content of this preaching, except the statements of personal selfishness and envy that got into it. Paul gladly overlooked these, even he was the victim of the evil-speaking.

5.

The factitious Roman preachers who through envy belittled Paul were like the Pharisees who through envy delivered Jesus to Pilate. Matthew 27:18; Mark 15:10.

However, let us not condemn these brethren too harshly, until we are utterly sure that we have never spoken about (or against) some brother so as to belittle him and exalt ourselves. If we have been the victims of such remarks, let us pray for grace to look upon them as Paul did.

6.

Paul was set for, that is, appointed or destined for, the defence of the gospel. Compare Philippians 1:7. Not every man has the ability to make conspicuous public oral defence of the gospel. Such people become prominent, and frequently are the objects of criticism by their brethren who are less conspicuous, but are jealous of their prominence.

We must ever be cautious not to tear down the big men God has set in the church in order to exalt little men like most of us. They have too many enemies outside the church to need critics from their own brothers in Christ.

7.

Preaching Christ of faction means preaching Christ in such a way as to build up our own little faction, clique, or denomination. Faction is party spirit, electioneering, and promoting our loyal (sic!) group. Too often church members will work harder to elect their special friends to some church office than they will to tell sinners of Jesus.

8.

Those proclaiming Christ out of factious motives were indeed thinking, Paul says, but oh such thinking! Their thinking was based largely upon feeling alone, and was controlled by their own personal desires. Such thinking as this sought to raise up more affliction for Paul, even when he was already in chains.

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18. What then? only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Translation and Paraphrase

18 What (is my reaction to this)? Only (this) that in every mannerwhether in pretense or in truthChrist is being proclaimed, and in this I am (sincerely) rejoicing, and what is more I shall keep on rejoicing.

Notes

1.

What then indeed? What if it is true that some men here in Rome are preaching Christ in such a way that I am getting more affliction because of their words? Suppose this is so, so what?

Paul leaves this annoying side of the case to itself, and passes on to the encouraging aspect. Christ is being preached and in this he rejoices and will continue to rejoice.