Philippians 1:12-26

Exegesis with sentence structure

Sentence 1

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,

13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, (purpose)

that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ.

14 (and) Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment

and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly.  (emphasis, magnify)

Want - present middle indicative - desire, purpose

Know - present active infinitive - gnosko - recognize, perceive (first word in the sentence)

What has happened (added for clarification - literally "things")

To me - with me - kata - used as a comparison - down, along, through

Actually - mallon - instead

Advanced - progress - to cut or strike forward - blaze a trail

Literally word for word -  v12

And I wish you to know, brethren, that the things concerning me, rather to an advancement of the good news have come, (YLT)

 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; (KJV)

He sees all of this as a furtherance (advancement) of the Gospel.  Often we see it as a slowdown for us.

So that - V13

Imprisonment - chains, bonds (first word in the sentence)

Known - visible, manifest

(everyone knows he is in jail because of he is a believer)

Plus - he has access to so many of the guards and staff and he shares the gospel with them. They know.

Confidence - perfect active participle - persuade, trust, obey, confidence

Imprisonment - chains bonds - same as above

Dare - present active - boldness, have courage

Fearless - without fear

How does this give the brethren confidence?

They saw his joy

They saw that God was still taking care of him

They saw that God still used Paul even in jail.

Peter was miraculously saved from jail. (Acts 16).  Why isn't Paul?

Paul writes Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians while here.

God never wastes a hurt or our time.  It all fits his will

Sentence 2

15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,

but others out of good will. (contrast)

16 These preach out

of love,

knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, (contrast)

not sincerely,

thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.

Envy - jealousy

Rivalry - contention

Appointed - present active - set in place

Defense - apologia

Sincerely - pure motives

Trouble - tribulation

There must have been some people who felt they were competing with Paul and with him in jail, thought they could get ahead. 

There were some who preached from selfish ambition.  What is this today?  Is it only about your image?

They may have also wanted to cause Paul trouble. Like those who accuse and condemn other pastors because of theology or who they hang with.

Paul's bottom line here is that correct/truth Gospel is preached.  In Gal 1:6-9 he talks about a false Gospel being preached and he didn't like that.  But here, he doesn't care your motives, just that the true Gospel is preached.

So jail doesn't matter and bad motives don't matter, just that the Gospel is proclaimed.

Sentence 3

18 What does it matter?

Only that in every way,

whether from false motives or true,

Christ is proclaimed,

and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice

19 because I know this will lead to my salvation (purpose)

through your prayers

and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

20 My eager expectation (desire) and hope is

that I will not be ashamed about anything,

but that now as always, (contrast and emphasis)

with all courage,

Christ will be highly honored in my body,

whether by life or by death.  (the means of honoring Christ)

My strong desire/earnest expectancy and hope/expectation

Not ashamed - disgrace, dishonor, shame

Courage - freedom to speak, candor, boldness

With - signifies the means of his following comment (Christ will be…)

Highly honored - made large, declared great, magnificent

21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

22 Now if I live on in the flesh, (transition)

this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose.

23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—

24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. (intensification)

25 Since I am persuaded of this,

I know that I will remain and continue with all of you

for your progress and joy in the faith,

26 so that, because of my coming to you again, (purpose)

your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.

Paul directly tied his deliverance from jail to their prayers.

He recognizes that God is in control even as he faces trial in Rome and Ceasar Nero

Paul's needs will be met by the HS

His eager desire is that he not be ashamed of anything (like what?)

However, he also wants Jesus to be exalted regardless.

This is a line that needs a little thought.  We sometimes say these things, "Paul lived his life not to preserve and promote himself, but to glorify Jesus Christ. If Jesus should one day decide that Paul could best glorify Him through laying down his life, then Paul would be well pleased by the opportunity." (Enduring Word Commentary)

Let's leave it up to God to determine how he can and can't glorify Himself in our lives.

To live is Christ - death is not defeat for the believer, it's a graduation to glory - it is gain

It will glorify God (as God determines)

It will bring Paul into the presence of Christ.

Doctrinal Correction: The idea that Paul could consider death a present gain argues against the idea of “soul sleep.” This false teaching says that the believing dead are held in some sort of suspended animation until the resurrection occurs. His understanding that his death might be considered gain also argues against the idea of “purgatory” which says that the believing dead must be purified through suffering before coming into the presence of God.

Christians should not fear death.  I think many of us fear DYING, but not death.

Paul has a strong desire to die and be with Jesus while glorifying Him at the same time.

Not to escape suffering

Not because he is depressed

Not to escape some crisis

Going to Heaven means he will

Escape the presence of sin -the constant nagging and failure of the sin nature

Gets to see those who have gone on before him

He gets to see Jesus and know Him deeper than is possible now.