OUR FATHER WHOSE SON SUFFERED DEARLY FOR US 

Continuing his letter to the Phillippians in Chapter 1 verses 12 - 30, the Apostle Paul tells of the counter-intuitive effect that his being in chains had had on the furtherance of the gospel and even on the guards who held him in captivity. Instead of his captivity making people more fearful, they became more bold in proclaiming the gospel to the people in the city.

In fact, Paul documents, preaching the gospel gained so much cache that some people were preaching the gospel out of envy and selfish ambition to keep with the times and be seen to be following the trends while other were doing so out of sincerity and goodwill and love to identify with Paul and stand in solidarity with him while he was imprisoned.

For either motivation of envy or love, the apostle Paul was content that the gospel was preached for the power of God is carried in the message of the gospel itself independent of the motives of the messenger.

12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Even in the captivity he endured, Paul writes of his hopes that the prayers of the believers in Phillipi and the supply of the Lord Jesus would propel him in boldness as he submitted his body for the magnification of the Lord Jesus Christ through his labor.

In his condition, Paul is ambivalent about whether he wanted to live or to die because to him, going to be with Christ was highly desireable but on the other hand, remaining to serve his beloved brothers and sisters in Christ was still needful.

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Paul encourages the Phillippians that whether he was there or not, they should persist in unity in the spirit and together working dilligently in the service of the gospel. He instructed them not to be terrified by those who opposed them (which was proof of the condemnation of their adversaries) but conversely, was proof of their salvation for the Phillippians were, as Paul recorded, among those who were blessed to not only believe in Christ but also to suffer on his behalf as as they saw in the life of Paul.

Amen.

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