Philippians 1:12-18

PREFACE

Currently I am reading through the Gospel of Luke, to better know Jesus' story, as well as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and Philippians in search of contentment.



"12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everone else..."

I read this and I think "Paul you've got to be kidding me. You're chained to the wall. You are locked up because you were preaching, and you begin by proclaiming how this is working out for the betterment for the gospel?"

Paul is in jail, and somehow he's managed to continue to witness the entire time. He's managed to share the good news of Christ with "everyone else," and he can't wait to tell the Christians in Philippi. I know if I were chained up, I don't think my first thought would be on how great this is for the gospel.

"14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more couage to speak the word of God witout fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice."