Philippians 1:12 says, But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;  Paul did not ask for the sympathy of those that he was writing to because of his situation, but said even though he was imprisoned that it was for the furtherance of the gospel.  If we find ourselves discriminated against or even imprisoned because we are a Christian and are living by God's standards, we should likewise count it as an honor to suffer for our faith.  We should never complain if something bad happens to us because we are living by faith, nor should we expect sympathy from anyone.  Verse thirteen states, So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;  Paul said that people in the palace as well as in other places knew why he was in bonds.  If Paul had been in prison for something that he had done that was wrong then his imprisonment would likely not have been noted by so many people, especially those in power.  As followers of Christ, just because we may be suffer may not mean that we are suffering for our faith.  We like Paul must truly be persecuted for our faith if our suffering is to bring glory to God and be a witness to the world.  Verse fourteen says, And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  Paul said that instead of making his fellow believers afraid to proclaim the gospel, it impowered them to do so even more.  When we hear of Christians being persecuted, imprisoned and even killed today because of their faith, does it make us bolder in Christ or does it cause us to be silent for fear of the same thing happen to us?  We should always choose to be bold in our faith.  Verse fifteen states, Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:  Paul said that not all people preached the gospel the same way, or even for the same reasons.  There will always be those who preach the gospel differently, but the question should be is if the truth of the gospel is being preached.  Verse sixteen adds, The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:  Paul said that some people preached a Christ of contention hoping to add to his bonds, or suffering.  He also said that they were not sincere in what they preached.  I believe that these people would have been saying that Paul should have fought harder and not allowed himself to be imprisoned, but that they themselves were not really going to do anything to cause themselves to be imprisoned.  Verse seventeen continues, But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.  Paul said others preached out of love for God and for Paul himself, knowing that it was for the sake of the gospel that he was imprisoned.  As followers of Christ, when we see or hear of a fellow Christian being imprisoned for their faith, we must still preach the gospel based on the love of Christ.  Verse eighteen declares,What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.  Paul said that whatever the reason for the gospel being preached, as long as it was preached in truth, then he would and did rejoice.  Our question should never be how or why the gospel ids being preached, but simply is it being preached and preached accurately.  If it is, then we should rejoice in God.  Verse nineteen adds, For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,  Paul said that his suffering would lead to his salvation through their prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Paul was not saying that his suffering was what brought him salvation, but that his faith in Christ did, and that if he remained imprisoned in this life that he would be set free in death.  This has to be the kind of faith that we have.  Verse twenty continues, 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. Paul said that whatever happened to him in this life was unimportant as long as his life glorified Christ.  How often do we complain to God when the least little thing goes wrong in our life instead of glorifying God?  Vere twenty-one concludes, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  Paul said that if he lived that he would live that Christ would be glorified, and that if he died that would be even better for him, because he would be with Christ forever.  This did not mean that Paul wanted to die, but that he was unafraid of dying for his faith in Christ.  We should be the same way today.