Epistle to the Philippians

1. Phil 1:12 – NKJV “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things [which happened] to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,” Before we begin let’s again reflect on the personal touch here, and the encouraging nature of Paul’s communication. Phil 2:17 ‘Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.’ want you to know (ginoska) –want (indicative), know (infinitive) Implies a new direction Suggests a previous misunderstanding know experientially as if they, the brethren, were with Paul Paul reflects here (verses 12-18) on what had happened because of his imprisonment in the past (Acts 15-18); in verses 19-25 about the present To what things do you think Paul is referring? Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:12-14, Imprisonment in the Cause of Christ 1 Feb 5, 2012 Bob Eckel

2. Paul is now transitioning his message back to what’s been happening in Rome actually could be translated as rather Not what they may have expected – Epaphroditis furtheranceor progress - this word in the verb form is a compound of kopto (to cut) + the preposition pro (before). It is used for blazing a new path for the good tidings (gospel). Phil 1:13 “so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;” it has become evident or manifest to make known what is unknown Paul’s chains (bonds) are in Christ – this is what is to be manifest Note that Paul lived for two years with a Roman soldier chained to his wrist – Acts 28:16,30,31 to the whole palace guard – ‘headquarters’ The tent of the commander-in-chief. Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:12-14, Imprisonment in the Cause of Christ 2 Feb 5, 2012 Bob Eckel

3. Pertains to the praetorian (palace of the emperor on Palatine hill in Rome) guard and to all the rest – in all other places composed of the soldiers of the imperial regiments whose barracks were in Rome Or could it have also been unsaved Jews (Acts 28:17-29)? Can you picture this? Paul was certainly asked by the many soldiers to whom he was chained why he was in prison. And this type of soldier was also responsible to guard prisoners who had appealed to Caesar, such as Paul/ Thus, it was an honor to be one of these guards. Robertson, 4:438 ‘There were originally ten thousand of these picked soldiers concentrated in Rome by Tiberius. They had double pay and special privileges and became so powerful that emperors had to court their favors. Paul had contact with one after another of these soldiers.’ Thus, Paul had the opportunity to provide the gospel message day in and day out to those to whom he was bonded (I Pet 4:12-16). Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:12-14, Imprisonment in the Cause of Christ 3 Feb 5, 2012 Bob Eckel

4. - For Paul being bonded In Christ was more than servitude or an experience, it was a Grace-based relationship. Phil 1:14 – NKJV “and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” And look at the impact on most (many) of the brethren in the Lord! Lord (Kyrios) - he to whom a person or thing belongs. Should we presume that these believers were in Rome? His chains have made him even more confident and more bold to speak the word (logos) without fear (or boldly)! II Tim 2:9 ‘Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.’ Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:12-14, Imprisonment in the Cause of Christ 4 Feb 5, 2012 Bob Eckel

5. What does this more boldly look like? And we’ll see next week that there were others who preached with a very different type of message – Phil 1:15,16 Can you relate to this? Are there trials where a peace and confidence pass all understanding (Phil 4:7)? And by faith we are comforted throughout (II Cor 1:3-7) A constant reminder needs to be our citizenship - we are in a foreign land! Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:12-14, Imprisonment in the Cause of Christ 5 Feb 5, 2012 Bob Eckel