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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Philippians 1:12 - 1:18
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Php_1:12-18
12Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.
Php_1:12 "now I want you to know" This implies that the church had asked Paul some questions (like Corinth, cf. 1Co_7:1; 1Co_7:25; 1Co_8:1; 1Co_12:1; 1Co_16:1) through Epaphroditus who had brought a monetary gift to him while he was in prison (cf. Php_2:25).
▣ "that my circumstances" This referred to Paul's arrest, imprisonment, and trial(s). Agabus, the prophet, predicted Paul's arrest and imprisonment in Act_21:10 ff. The fact that Paul would speak before Gentile kings was revealed to Ananias in Act_9:15. God did accomplish His stated purpose for Paul's ministry, but in a way that Paul apparently did not foresee. This same truth is evident in believers' lives. They are not controlled by luck, chance, or fate. God uses even the things that seem derogatory and negative in a marvelous way for His honor and glory (cf. Php_1:20; Rom_8:28-29).
▣ "have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel" The term "progress" is used again in Php_1:25 and in 1Ti_4:15. It had two primary etymological backgrounds that may relate to Paul's use of the term:
1. it was a military term for the advance of troops through rough terrain by means of the advance scouts removing barriers
2. it was used by Greek philosophers (Stoics) as a catchword for the difficult path to wisdom
Although the gospel is progressing it is sometimes difficult. It is interesting to note that the progress mentioned is specified
1. in Php_1:13 as the gospel being spread through the elite Imperial Guard and the Roman palace itself
2. in Php_1:14 that other Christian preachers in Rome were taking courage from Paul's attitude and actions to proclaim the gospel while Paul himself was imprisoned
NASB "praetorian guard"
NKJV "palace guard"
NRSV "imperial guard"
TEV "the whole palace guard"
NJB "praetorium"
The KJV, NKJV, and TEV translations have "palace," which is quite possible because the word is used this way in Act_23:35.
In this context it refers to a body of soldiers, not a place, because of the use of the phrase, "and all the rest," which apparently refers to persons. The exact identity of these people is uncertain, but they were probably imperial servants, legal advisers, or court officials who were involved in Paul's legal trial(s).
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Php_1:14 The Greek phrase "in the Lord" can go with "brothers" or with the term "more courage" expressing the basis for the confidence of the other preachers in seeing how Paul faced imprisonment. It is significant to note that one's demeanor, attitude and actions during times of stress and pressure are often a source of great encouragement to other Christians (cf. Job, Jeremiah, Paul).
▣ "to speak the word of God without fear" The phrase "word of God" has some Greek manuscript variations. The ancient Greek uncial manuscripts, à , A, B, and P have the genitive phrase "word of God." However, in P46, Dc, and K, the genitive phrase is omitted. UBS4 gives the omission a "B" rating (almost certain). As is true of most of these manuscript variations, they affect the sense of the passage very little.
Php_1:15 The identity of these jealous Christian preachers (cf. Php_1:15; Php_1:17-18) has caused great debate among commentators. It seems obvious from Php_1:11-18 that they were truly preaching Jesus, but from poor motives, not primarily directed toward Jesus and the gospel message but toward Paul in particular. Some have asserted that these are the established Christian leaders (Jewish and Gentile) who were eclipsed by Paul's intellect and spiritual presence at his coming to Rome. Possibly they were the Judaizers like in Galatia but of a less powerful strain. However, because of Paul's sharp words in the book of Galatians (Php_3:2 ff), it is improbable that this text refers to the false teachers. Here these are simply preachers with poor motives. This sounds much like our day-jealousy, rivalry, and partisanship often characterize the church of Jesus Christ, instead of love and acceptance which are demanded in 1 Corinthians 13; Romans 14; Gal_5:26.
Php_1:16
NASB, NKJV "I am appointed"
NRSV "I have been put here for"
TEV "God have given me the work of"
NJB "I remain firm"
The term "appointed" (keimai) was a military term for a soldier on watch. It is used metaphorically of one's being appointed to a task (cf. Luk_2:34). Paul's imprisonment and trial at Rome was not an accident, but was the predetermined plan of God (cf. Act_9:15). Jesus' life was also "appointed" (cf. Luk_22:22; Act_2:23; Act_3:18; Act_4:28). It is helpful to see our lives in this same theological world-view!
▣ "the defense of the gospel" This is the same Greek term (apologia) used in Php_1:7. From it we get the English word "apology" which means "a legal defense." This phrase would imply governmental trials (cf. Act_22:1) but could also refer to his Jewish synagogue preaching.
Php_1:16-17 It is interesting to note that in the Textus Receptus the phrases in Php_1:16-17 are reversed in an attempt to match the order of Php_1:15. This Greek manuscript variation (as so many of them) does not affect the sense of the passage.
Php_1:17 "selfish ambition" This term originally meant "to spin wool for hire," but came to be used in the sense of an aristocratical arrogance against those who had to work for a living. It came to be used metaphorically for selfish ambition. The greatness of Paul's heart can be seen (Php_1:18) in the fact that he rejoiced that Christ was being preached even if the proclaimer had poor motives. The power is in the Word, not in the proclaimer!
Php_1:18 Paul understood that the gospel message superseded personal rivalries. This verse has tremendous implications for the denominational divisions that are found in the Church today and how believers relate to them personally and theologically (cf. Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10).
▣ "in truth" See Special Topic: Truth in Paul's Writings at Eph_1:13.