Philippians 1:12-20
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Introduction
Paul is writing to a church that was established in difficult times. Paul himself is in the middle of a hugely difficult time.
And oddly enough, the theme of this little letter is “joy”.
:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
understand – ginosko – to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel
I would – boulomai – to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded; of willing as an affection, to desire
rather – mallon – much, by far; rather, sooner; more willingly, more readily, sooner
the furtherance – prokope – progress, advancement; from prokopto, to beat forward; to lengthen out by hammering (as a smith forges metals); metaph. to promote, forward, further; to go forward, advance, proceed; to cut or strike forward as when an army was marching through a field, cutting the brush aside.
Paul sees his circumstances being used to make the gospel go further.
the gospel – euaggelion – a reward for good tidings; good tidings; the glad tidings of the
kingdom of God
have fallen out – erchomai – to come; metaph. to come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence; be established, become known, to come (fall) into or unto
(Phil 1:12 NASB)
Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out
for the greater progress of the gospel,
What were Paul’s current
circumstances (the things which happened unto me)?
Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem Caesarea
(Acts 23). When he saw that there was to
be no justice for him there, he used his Roman citizenship to appeal to Caesar
and was taken to Rome Rome
To many of us, this would seem as if Paul’s life as a missionary was
over. But Paul didn’t see it that way.
:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
bonds – desmon – a band or bond
are manifest – phaneros – apparent, manifest, evident, known; manifest i.e to be plainly recognised or known
the palace – praitorion – this word could be used to describe the “head-quarters” in a Roman camp, the place where the soldiers would be quartered. It also could be used for the group of soldiers known as the “Praetorian Guard”.
(Phil 1:13 NASB) so that my imprisonment in the cause
of Christ has become well known throughout
the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
praetorian guard - originally a
special group of ten thousand soldiers picked by Tiberius, located in Rome Rome
(Phil 4:22 KJV)
All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
Even though Paul had become a prisoner, God was using that situation for Paul to witness to these men and for a number of them to come to the Lord.
Lesson
God can work through your tough times to reach others for Jesus
Some of us have been praying for a Gospel for
Asia missionary named Manja. Manja works in Nepal
Manja leads fellow prisoner to the
Lord—July 25, 2002
Greetings from the staff of Gospel for Asia . I have
some great news about Manja, our GFA native
missionary imprisoned in Nepal Nepal Nepal
:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
many – pleion – greater in quantity; the more part, very many; greater in quality, superior, more excellent
waxing confident – peitho – persuade; be persuaded; to trust, have confidence, be confident; perfect participle
bonds – desmon – a band or bond
much more – perissoteros – more abundantly; more in a greater degree; more earnestly, more exceedingly; especially, above others
bold – tolmao – not to dread or shun through fear; to bear, endure; to bring one’s self to; to be bold; bear one’s self boldly, deal boldly
without fear – aphobos – without fear, boldly
the word – logos – of speech; a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea; what someone has said; discourse; doctrine, teaching; its use as respect to the MIND alone
to speak – laleo – to utter a voice or emit a sound; to speak; to use the tongue or the faculty of speech; to talk; to use words in order to declare one’s mind and disclose one’s thoughts
Lesson
God can use your tough times to
encourage others
Sometimes I tend to think that my life would only be an encouragement to
others if I won the Lottery, became President of the United
States
Yet Paul’s circumstances were resulting in a strange effect.
People were set on fire to share the gospel because of his circumstances.
I think the key is in our own attitude and our own response to our difficult times.
If I respond to my difficult times by running away or getting drunk, I don’t think my circumstances will help anyone.
If I respond by running to Jesus, learning to hold on to Him (even if it seems like I’m only barely holding on), and continue to serve Jesus, it can encourage others to do the same.
:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
some – tis – a certain, a certain one; some, some time, a while
of …of – dia – through; of means; by; by the means of; through; the ground or reason by which something is or is not done
envy – phthonos – envy; for envy, i.e. prompted by envy
strife – eris – contention, strife, wrangling
good will – eudokia – will, choice; good will, kindly intent, benevolence; delight, pleasure, satisfaction; desire; for delight in any absent thing easily produces longing for it
preach – kerusso – to be a herald, to officiate as a herald; to proclaim after the manner of a herald; always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done; used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers
Paul is going to describe two types or preachers who are responding to Paul’s imprisonment.
:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
of – ek – out of, from, by, away from
contention – eritheia – electioneering or intriguing for office; apparently, in the NT a courting distinction, a desire to put one’s self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts; partisanship, fractiousness; This word is found before NT times only in Aristotle where it denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.
From eritheuo, to spin wool, and that from erithos, a hireling. Originally it meant to work for pay. It then went on to apply in politics to the man canvassing for office, a personally ambitious, competitive spirit which was out to advance itself.
These people Paul is talking about aren’t heretics, but self-seeking ministers
who wanted to advance themselves in the church now that Paul was on the
sidelines.
preach – kataggello – to announce, declare, promulgate, make known; to proclaim publicly, publish
sincerely – hagnos – chaste, clean, pure, with sincerity
This is not the word translated “sincere” back in 1:10 – heilikrines –
pure, sincere, unsullied; found pure when unfolded and examined by the sun’s
light
supposing – oiomai – to suppose, think
affliction – thlipsis – a pressing, pressing together, pressure; metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits
to add – epiphero – to bring upon, bring forward; to lay upon, to inflict; to bring upon, i.e. in addition, to add, increase; to put upon, cast upon, impose
bonds – desmon – a band or bond
Why would a person be preaching the gospel for the reason of envy and strife, preaching out of contention?
“It is petty and personal jealousy of Paul’s power and prowess by the
Judaizers in Rome
:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
of – ek – out of, from, by, away from
love – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence; love feasts
knowing – eido – to see; to know; the force and meaning of something which has definite meaning
the defence – apologia – verbal defence, speech in defence; a reasoned statement or argument
the gospel – euaggelion – a reward for good tidings; good
tidings; the glad tidings of the kingdom
of God
I am set – keimai – to lie; of things put or set in any place, in ref. to which we often use "to stand"; metaph. to be (by God’s intent) set, i.e. destined, appointed; of laws, to be made, laid down
It seems that these others are preaching out of a love for Paul, seeing that he is in prison, and wanting to continue his ministry.
Lesson
Motivation for ministry
Not everyone has proper motives when it comes to ministry.
NOTE: It seems that the motivation Paul is
talking about is not the person’s motives in relationship to serving Jesus, but
their motivation in relation to their relationship with Paul.
Envy, strife, or goodwill are all in relation to how Paul would be affected.
Those that preach from envy or strife do so because they want to cause Paul distress.
Those who preach from good will are doing it out of love for Paul, as a way of standing with him in his ministry.
I think we can even find ourselves getting involved with doing “ministry” for the right reasons, and if we’re not careful, we can fall into the trap of losing the right motivation.
Can we always know a person’s motivation for ministry?
I don’t think so. I think we can have general ideas about a person’s motives. Paul seems to be quite aware of certain individuals who don’t like him.
I think we can’t even always be sure of our own motivation.
Am I really praying for this person because I’m serving Jesus or because I want them to like me?
Sometimes we can over analyze these things to death.
:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether
in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea,
and will rejoice.
notwithstanding – plen – moreover, besides, but, nevertheless; besides, except, but
every – pas – individually; each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything; collectively; some of all types
way – tropos – a manner, way, fashion
in pretence – prophasis (“before” + “to shine”) – a pretext (alleged reason, pretended cause); show; under color as though they would do something; in pretence, ostensibly; making a big show up front that is untrue
To put on a show to cover something up. Jesus uses this word to describe some of the Pharisees:
Mr 12:40 (NAS)
who devour widows’ houses, and for
appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater
condemnation."
To pretend to be something to get something from a person.
1Th 2:5 (NLT)
Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you very well know. And God
is our witness that we were not just
pretending to be your friends so you would give us money!
in truth – aletheia – objectively; what is true in any matter under consideration; truly,
in truth, according to truth; of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly;
subjectively; truth as a personal excellence; that candour of mind which is free from
affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, deceit
is preached – kataggello – to announce, declare, promulgate, make known; to proclaim publicly, publish; to denounce, report, betray
rejoice – chairo – to rejoice, be glad; to rejoice exceedingly; to be well, thrive
The first occurrence is present indicative. The second occurrence is future indicative.
Paul says, “I am currently rejoicing and I will continue to keep rejoicing in the future”
Lesson
Dealing with motives
First, this doesn’t seem to be applying to people who would fall under the title of “cult”.
Paul didn’t rejoice about false teachers.
(Gal 1:6-9 KJV)
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the
grace of Christ unto another gospel: {7} Which is not
another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of
Christ. {8} But though we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let
him be accursed. {9} As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach
any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
He declared that false teachers were cursed.
Second, I don’t think this means that Paul ignored people’s motives when it came to working with people in ministry.
Paul was concerned for the Philippians, but he didn’t just want any old person to go:
(Phil 2:19-23 KJV) But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good
comfort, when I know your state. {20} For I have no
man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. {21} For
all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. {22} But ye know
the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the
gospel. {23} Him therefore I hope to send presently, so
soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
Paul knew Timothy’s heart.
Timothy would be his representative.
Lesson
You can choose your reaction
Paul could have chosen to be extremely bummed out.
Instead, he chose to rejoice.
He felt that it was better that the gospel was being preached, even if it was being preached with the wrong motives.
Choose joy.
:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
I know – eido – to see; to know; the force and meaning of something which has definite meaning
shall turn – apobaino – to come down from, i.e. a ship; to turn out, result, to be the outcome
Future indicative, he definitely knows that it’s going to happen.
salvation – soteria – deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation; deliverance from the molestation of enemies; in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety or salvation; of Messianic salvation; salvation as the present possession of all true Christians; future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
Paul is talking about his deliverance from prison, not his eternal salvation.
prayer – deesis – need, indigence, want, privation, penury; a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man
the supply – epichoregia – a supplying, supply; from choregeo – to be a chorus leader, lead a chorus; to furnish the chorus at one’s own expense; to procure and supply all things necessary to fit out a chorus; to supply, furnish abundantly
:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I
shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ
shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
earnest expectation – apokaradokia (“from” + “the head” + “watching”) – anxious and persistent expectation
hope – elpis – expectation of evil, fear; expectation of good, hope; in the Christian sense; joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; on hope, in hope, having hope
I shall be ashamed – aischuno – to disfigure; to dishonour; to suffuse with shame, make ashamed, be ashamed
boldness – parrhesia – freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech; openly, frankly, i.e without concealment; without ambiguity or circumlocution; without the use of figures and comparisons; free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance
shall be magnified – megaluno – to make great, magnify; metaph. to make conspicuous; to deem or declare great; to esteem highly, to extol, laud, celebrate; to get glory and praise
life – zoe – life
death – thanatos – the death of the body
Paul’s idea of deliverance isn’t necessarily restricted to being set free from prison alive.
We will see that for him, dying was a form of deliverance.
But Paul was confident that one way or another, he would be delivered, and his deliverance would come from two things:
Lesson
Deliverance through prayer
I don’t think we can get enough prayer when we’re going through times of difficulty.
I know that when I’m in difficult times, prayer is one of the things that bring relief.
It is important that I pray. It is also important that I get others to pray.
Illustration
King Jehoshaphat was facing the armies of the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites. It looked desperate.
(2 Chr 20:3-4 KJV)
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed
a fast throughout all
Jehoshaphat led the people in prayer, and then God began to work:
(2 Chr 20:14-15
KJV) Then upon Jahaziel
the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a
Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the
LORD in the midst of the congregation; {15} And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah,
and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD
unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the
battle is not yours, but God's.
(2 Chr
The next morning, the people went out, with the worship leaders in the front, and as they began to praise God for His promise of deliverance, God had the enemy armies all turn on themselves, and the nation was delivered.
It started with prayer.
I wonder if we shouldn’t proclaim a fast for our church? I wonder what
would happen if a few of us started skipping even one meal a week and praying
for the church, what would happen?
Lesson
Deliverance through the Spirit’s
help
Did you notice how the Spirit of God had a part in Jehoshaphat’s deliverance?
He worked through a prophet to speak words of encouragement.
The Holy Spirit wants to help you through your difficult time.
God wants to comfort us in every difficult time:
(2 Cor 1:3-5 KJV) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; {4} Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able
to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves
are comforted of God. {5} For as the sufferings of
Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth
by Christ.
The Holy Spirit is the “Comforter”
(John 14:16-17 KJV) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give
you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; {17} Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,
because it seeth him not, neither knoweth
him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and
shall be in you.
He comes to help us, teach us, and give us peace through the fire:
(John 14:26-27 KJV) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring
all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. {27} Peace I
leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,
give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.