Bible Study Philippians 1: 12-30

 

A Commentary of the Book of Philippians

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Philippians 1: 12-30

Text: 

The Progress of the Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my chains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole [a]praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the [b]brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my chains, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even [c]from envy and strife, but some also [d]from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition [e]rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my chains. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your [f]prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 [g]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed [h]between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better, 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy [i]in the faith, 26 so that your reason for boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.

27 Only [j]live your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one [k]mind contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same struggle which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Verse by verse commentary

Verse 12: “Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,”

Since Paul was in prison, the gospel was preached through the palace guard and beyond. God’s Divine Providence placed Paul exactly where God wanted him. From prison, Paul would preach and write letters to the church that would be to our benefit today.

Verse 13: “so that my chains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,”

Paul’s imprisonment for preaching Christ had become known not only to the soldiers assigned to the emperor, but also to the imperial household and perhaps to the Roman people beyond. God places His people exactly where He wants them to be most effective in the spread of the gospel. Paul’s chains was his introduction to his Roman captors. 

Verse 14: “and that most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my chains, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

When Paul says “brothers” he refers to both men and women. The key phrase is “in the Lord.” Paul’s imprisonment served as an encouragement to others to stand faithful “in the Lord.” It increased the courage of others when they saw Paul as an example. What does your life serve as an example of?

Verse 15: “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;”

There are not conflicting messages, since both parties preach Christ, but opposing motives and attitudes. There are many reasons why some will preach a gospel message. Some for money, or for fame, or to look important and for status. The motive of one group is goodwill and love for Christ and those to whom they preach, and Paul’s defense of the gospel explains why they love the apostle. The dominant motive of the other group is “selfish ambition”, the very attitude against which Paul warns the Philippians. They preach Christ so that they themselves can seem important.

Verse 16: “the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;”

The preceding verse speaks of people preaching Christ from “good will,” and this verse connects that goodwill with love. If you genuinely care for someone, you will care enough to give them the gospel. Paul drives the point that he has been appointed to defend the gospel. God makes Divine Appointments. Some are chosen to defend the gospel and others are chosen for different roles in the body of Christ. The main idea is that God chooses, not man.

Verse 17: “the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my chains.”

Again, Paul is pointing out the conflicting motives. The ones preaching from “selfish ambition” hope to increase Paul’s suffering in prison. Paul’s motives were pure as should ours be when we share. We share the truth of the gospel because we care about the souls of those we speak to.

Verse 18: “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.”

Paul’s joy was not connected to his circumstances or his accusers. He rejoiced when the gospel was proclaimed with power, no matter who received credit. He endured the unjust accusations without developing a root of bitterness at his accusers. Rather, he rejoiced that they preached Christ, even with bad motives.

Verse 19: “for I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”

Paul anticipates being released from prison, but he has no guarantee. God will deliver him through His appointed agencies, both human and divine (“your prayers” and “the Spirit of Jesus Christ”). This shows the connection between the Sovereignty and Providence of God and man’s responsibility. The power is with God, but He has selected the means for Him to move. That means it is through prayer. We pray and God moves in accordance with His perfect will and purpose.

Verse 20: “according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Paul’s purpose was not “his best life now,” but rather that Christ be glorified through his life and struggles. Paul’s consecration to the Lord’s work and message is neither for him to live nor to die, but to see Christ magnified whatever happens. This was a total consecration which led to his complete sanctification (being set apart) to God’s work.

Verse 21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Christ is Paul’s reason for living. Far from severing Paul’s union with Christ, death will bring Paul into the presence of Christ. That is the final victory for Paul. 

Verse 22: “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose.”

“Flesh” here means physical life not the depravity of the soul. If Paul remains, his purpose is to produce fruit for the gospel. His labor was not to build a church, get bigger offerings, or an important title. Instead, he wanted to spread the gospel to a lost and dying world.

Verse 23: “But I am hard-pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better,:”

Paul desires to be with Christ but also he desires to remain on earth for the sake of the church. This is his personal conflict. However, the outcome was in God’s hands, and Paul trusted in the Sovereignty and Providence of God to direct his way. The timing was God’s not Paul’s. 

Verse 24: “yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”

This is an example of Paul’s complete submission to the will of God. Paul submitted his personal will to be with his Lord for the purpose of the building up of the church. 

Verse 25: “And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,”

Paul’s conviction, not a voice in his head or nonsensical whisper giving guidance, that their need would determine that he stay on earth longer. God was not finished with Paul yet and Paul knew this because he stayed on earth building the church. Paul wanted to see their “progress.” The word “progress" speaks of blazing a pathway so an army can advance. Paul was blazing a path with the message of Christ.

Verse 26: “so that your reason for boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.”

The point is, as Paul lived producing fruit for the kingdom, the Philippians' joy and confidence would overflow because of Christ’s working in Paul, not because of anything he himself did by his own ability. Paul was an expression of humility. He did not want the glory for what he did. It was God working through him.

Verse 27: “Only live your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind contending together for the faith of the gospel,”

Paul connects the actions of the reader with the gospel of Christ. Our lives must demonstrate the impact the gospel had on us. Converts to Christ have changed their old way of living for a new life in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wants to hear about their “standing” in unity and “contending” for the faith. While the war is over and Christ has defeated Satan, there are still battles to be fought and won.

Verse 28: “in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.”

When Christians willingly suffer without being “alarmed,” it is a sign that God’s enemies will be destroyed and eternally lost. The faithful stand for Christ is the sign that God’s enemies will be destroyed.

Verse 29: “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”

The Greek verb translated “granted” is from the noun for grace. Believers’ suffering is a gift of grace which brings power from the Lord Jesus Christ. Hear this all you prosperity preachers that fleece the flock for money. Your end is perdition and also for those that follow you. Many times God grants us the gift of suffering to bear more fruit for the kingdom.

Verse 30: “having the same struggle which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

The same kind of suffering Paul had experienced. The Philippians saw Paul and Silas imprisoned at Philippi. They had seen his struggle and knew well his suffering. Paul is an example to us today in facing persecution.