Preaching through Philippians
TOPIC:“Paul - The Poiseful Prisoner”
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Philippians 1:12-21
“But I would you should understand, brethren, that the things which happened
unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel” (1:12)
The Epistle of Philippians reveals a remarkable self-portrait of Paul that is not found in any other of his letters. It gives us the real character of this man of God as it unveils the warm feelings and intimate love that he has for these believers at Philippi. This Epistle is the tenderest and most personal of all Paul's letters. He refers to “I” one hundred and eight times and “you” seventy-seven times.
As we come to the verses before us I want you to behold the magnificent poise that Paul displays there in that Roman prison. He is neither daunted nor discouraged by all that he is undergoing. Let us now look at the verses before us.
I.
Consider, first of all, the PROGRESS of the Gospel as we find it here. Again quoting Paul in verse 12: “But I would you should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” The NIV renders the latter part of this verse: “has really served to advance the gospel.”
The church at Philippi was greatly interested both in the physical and spiritual welfare of Paul. They had not heard from him for some period of time. Paul now writes to unburden their hearts about his present condition and to let them know that the long period of confinement under Felix, the rough, but safe voyage to Rome, and his two-year captivity in Rome had not checked the progress of the Gospel. On the contrary! It had increased it. The Gospel had made steady advancement. There was a twofold result of his imprisonment:
First, a FRESH PRIVILEGE was PRESENTED. Notice the words of Paul in verse 13: “So that my bonds in Christ Jesus are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places.” What is meant by this phrase “in all the palace”? Some say that it refers to the barracks where the guard was stationed in Rome. Others regard it as the governor's palace. I hold the view that these words denote not a place, but a great body of ten thousand soldiers who made up the Imperial Guard.
Paul was chained . . .