Philippians 1:12 - Meaning and Application

Here we see how careful the apostle is not to let his readers be offended by his suffering. Paul was a prisoner in Rome, and that could have become a stumbling block to those who had received the gospel through his ministry. They might have thought, if this message were truly from God, then God would not allow such a useful preacher to be treated like a broken and useless vessel. They might also have been afraid to own the gospel, lest they share the same trouble.

So Paul explains the dark and painful part of his sufferings and shows how they fit with God’s wisdom and goodness. He suffered at the hands of the gospel’s sworn enemies, who put him in prison and wanted to kill him. Yet believers should not be shaken by that, because good came from it, and it helped the gospel spread. The things that happened to him turned out to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12). It is a remarkable work of God’s providence to bring such great good from such great evil. Paul could say, “I suffer as a wrongdoer, even to chains, but the word of God is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:9).

How did this happen? First, it made Christ’s cause more visible to those outside the church. Paul says his chains for Christ were known throughout the whole palace and everywhere else (Philippians 1:13). The emperor, the officials, and the court saw that he was not suffering as a criminal, but as a man with a clear conscience, suffering for Christ and not for wickedness. His prison chains brought him to the attention of the court, where he might never otherwise have been known. That may have led some of them to investigate the gospel for which he suffered. And when his bonds became known in the palace, they spread through other places too, because the views of the court have a strong influence on the views of the people.

Second, his suffering gave courage to those inside the church. What startled his enemies encouraged his friends. Many believers became more confident because of Paul’s chains (Philippians 1:14). The thought of trouble for their religion may have discouraged them at first, but when they saw Paul imprisoned for Christ, they were not afraid to keep preaching. In fact, his suffering made them bolder. They could be glad to suffer in his company. If they were taken from the pulpit to the prison, they could bear it more easily because they would be in such good company. They also saw Paul’s comfort in suffering, and his special help from Christ in that state. That showed them that Christ is a good Master, able to strengthen his servants and carry them through suffering for his sake.

The enemies of the gospel meant to discourage preachers, but God overruled it for their courage. They became more fully persuaded by what they saw, and they spoke the word without fear. Their confidence gave them courage, and their courage kept fear from controlling them.

Paul also suffered from false friends, not only from open enemies (Philippians 1:15, Philippians 1:16). Some preached Christ out of envy and rivalry. They were not sincere. This would have been a real discouragement to some, because these men envied Paul’s place in the churches and the influence he had among believers. They were glad when he was put in prison, because that gave them a better chance to win people’s affection for themselves. They preached more loudly, hoping to add pain to Paul’s chains. They wanted to grieve him, make him fear losing his influence, and unsettle him in prison.

It is sad that men who claim to preach the gospel, especially those who preach it publicly, can be driven by such motives. They preached Christ out of spite toward Paul and wanted to increase his hardship. We should not be surprised if such people appear in later and more corrupt times in the church. Still, there were others who were moved by goodwill and love. They preached from sincere affection for the gospel, so that the work would not stop while the worker was in prison. They knew Paul had been appointed to defend and spread the gospel in the world against all its enemies. They feared the gospel might suffer because he was confined, so they grew bolder in preaching and helped make up for his missing service to the church.

It is moving to see how calm Paul remained through all of this. He says that in every way, whether from false motives or true ones, Christ is preached, and in that he rejoices, and will keep rejoicing (Philippians 1:18). The preaching of Christ should be a joy to all who care about his kingdom among people. Since it can help many, we should rejoice in it, even when it is done only in outward show and not with honest hearts. It belongs to God alone to judge the motives behind men’s actions; that is not our place. Paul was far from resenting those who had freedom to preach while he was confined. He even rejoiced when Christ was preached by people who were acting only in pretense. How much more should we rejoice when Christ is preached sincerely, even if the preacher is weak or makes some mistakes.

Two things made Paul rejoice in the preaching of Christ. First, it could lead to the salvation of people’s souls. He says, “I know that this will turn out for my salvation” (Philippians 1:19). God can bring good out of evil. What may not turn to the salvation of the ministers may still, by God’s grace, turn to the salvation of the hearers. And what reward can those expect who preach Christ out of envy, rivalry, and a desire to make a faithful minister suffer more? Still, even that can be used to help others, and Paul’s joy in it would also turn to his salvation.

This is one of the signs that belong to salvation, being able to rejoice that Christ is preached, even if that lowers us and our own reputation. John the Baptist showed this noble spirit when Christ first began to be preached openly: “This joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29-30). In other words, let Christ shine, even if I am pushed into the background, and let his glory rise, even if it means my own decline.

Some understand this phrase in another way. They think it means his enemies’ wicked plans were being defeated, and that this was helping to bring him out of prison. Through your prayers, and the help of the Spirit of Christ. Whatever leads to our salvation comes through the help and support of the Spirit of Christ, and prayer is the appointed way to receive that help. The prayers of God’s people may bring the Spirit’s strengthening to their ministers, to sustain them in suffering as well as in preaching the gospel.

Paul also says this would turn to the glory of Christ (Philippians 1:20). He uses the opportunity to speak of his full devotion to Christ’s service and honor: “According to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be ashamed in anything.” Here we should notice that every true Christian’s great desire is that Christ would be honored, that his name would be made great, and that his kingdom would come. Those who truly want Christ to be honored want him to be honored in their bodies. They offer their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), and they give their members as tools for doing what is right before God (Romans 6:13).

They are willing to serve Christ’s purposes and help bring him glory with every part of their bodies, as well as every part of their souls. It greatly honors Christ when we serve him boldly and are not ashamed of him, with freedom of mind and without losing heart: “That in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness Christ may be magnified.” The courage of Christians brings honor to Christ.

Those who make Christ’s glory their desire and aim may also make it their expectation and hope. If that is our sincere goal, it will surely be reached. If we honestly pray, “Father, glorify your name,” we can trust the same answer Christ received: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again” (John 12:28).

Those who want Christ to be honored in their bodies also hold a holy freedom about whether that happens through life or through death. They leave it to him to decide how they will be useful to his glory, whether by their work or their suffering, by their energy or their patience, by living for his honor in service or dying for his honor in suffering.