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 said that he wanted the Christians at Philippi to know that everything that happened to him was to spread the gospel further. If bad things happen to us today because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we do not need to be filled with self-pity and doubt but must use whatever happens as an opportunity to share the gospel. Verse thirteen adds, So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; Paul said that people all around him, even in the palace, knew he was bound because of his faith in Jesus Christ. If we find ourselves in bonds today as followers of Christ, we need to be sure that it is because of our faith and never allow our faith to waver. Verse fourteen continues, 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 his example of being faithful even when in bonds caused other Christians to be bold instead of being afraid. We need to set the same example as Paul and those brave Christians did if we find ourselves being persecuted for the gospel. If persecution, or even being imprisoned comes, we must be even bolder in our witness for Christ. Verse fifteen declares, Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: Paul said that some who professed to be preachers proclaimed a gospel of contention, claiming that Paul's imprisonment proved that he wasn't following God. They were jealous of Paul, and Matthew Henry says because of that they were secretly happy that he was imprisoned. We should never claim that someone who has truly been imprisoned for their faith gives proof that they are not following God, and we certainly should never secretly be happy that they have been. Verse sixteen adds, The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: Paul said that those who preached Christ of contention did so not because of a real belief in Christ but did so simply to add to his suffering when he was in bonds. Paul was more concerned about the effect of the false preachers on the gospel than he was of his being in bonds. Our first concern should always be how what is happening in our life will affect the gospel. Verse seventeen continues, But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. Paul said that there were also those who used his bandage as an inspiration to defend and proclaim the gospel out of love for Christ. It is always up to each individual how he or she reacts to those who are suffering because of their faith. We can either use them as an example to call us to a greater faith, which we will do if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, or as an example of someone to ridicule if we put our faith in the world or self-pride or self-glorification. Verse eighteen asks, What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Paul asked what he should do because of this and said that he rejoiced since even those who were preaching the gospel out of pretence, or without truly believing it themselves, were still preaching the gospel. It is the gospel, and not the one preaching it, that matters. As long as the gospel is being presented accurately, it doesn't matter who is proclaiming it, and we should rejoice that it is being proclaimed. 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 the preaching of the gospel, even by those who wanted to look down on him, would turn to his salvation through their prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul was not concerned with how people viewed him but was only concerned with the spreading of the gospel. This should be our only concern today as well.
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