Phil 1:12-14 – “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and 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.”

Paul is in prison (1:7), probably in Rome, recorded at the end of the book of Acts. But his arrest, he says, had “turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.” While in prison, Paul had apparently even converted some of the soldiers guarding him. The “whole praetorian guard” had heard the gospel. They would not have, perhaps, if Paul had never been arrested.

But this progress was of supreme importance. Outside of the church, the Christian community, Paul’s arrest and imprisonment were understood to be related to his relationship with Christ. Notice, he says, “my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known…” What might these people be saying?

“Why would Paul present such a message if it causes him to be arrested? Why would Paul leave the Jewish religion, a religion that was legal, for a religion that was illegal? Why would Paul leave the pinnacle of his position in the Jewish religion, to become a persecuted, beaten, practically unknown preacher of the ‘sect of the Nazarene’?” Those are questions that Paul’s imprisonment might create in the mind of non-Christians. For those interested in truth, the gospel message was waiting.

Inside the church, Paul gave fresh energy to others to work in evangelism. With Paul’s imprisonment, they gained confidence in the Lord, “courage to speak the word of God without fear.” Paul’s courage and determination strengthened the resolve of others to preach about Christ with more courage.

Paul is not surprised that Christians in Philippi would engage in this active outreach. They had already been evangelizing before Paul’s arrival in Philippi and now they have received strong encouragement by Paul’s example.

Let us be encouraged and inspired by Paul’s example to speak the word of God with boldness.

Paul Holland