Partners in the Gospel (VI)

(Since Philippians 1:12-26 is a longer passage than the one I dealt with last week (1:3-11), I am going to do more of a section-by-section discussion today.  Hopefully, my style below will make it easier for you to understand and apply.)

Before proceeding further, my study of this key section has convinced me that it unpacks in the following inverted parallel structure:

A (1:12-14) Paul’s presence in Rome has advanced the gospel there, as well as the confidence of the believers in Rome.

B (1:15-18a) What really matters in life is that Christ is proclaimed.

C (1:18b-20) Paul’s foundational hope: To honor Christ in his body, whether in life or death

B’ (1:21-24) To die and be with the Lord is gain, but to live on for Christ (and the gospel) is necessary.

A’ (1:24-26) Paul’s presence in coming from Rome to Philippi will advance the joy and faith of his Philippian gospel partners.

Note: The above parallels point to the middle of the structure, where Paul’s hope is the “heart” of everything else in this section, the reason he can take a positive outlook on those in the Christian community in Rome who are opposing him.

Again, citing the Holman Christian Standard Bible:

1:12-14- “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advancement of the gospel, so that it has become know throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is for Christ.  Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly.”

Paul’s arrest had not turned out to be the setback to the spread of the gospel.  In fact, the opposite had happened.  Paul’s house arrest in Rome had not only allowed him to witness to the leaders of the Jewish community in the imperial city (see Acts 28:29), but to what could be called the most elite aspect of the Roman military: the Praetorian guard.  It may well be the spread of the gospel as far out into the outskirts of the Roman Empire as the British Isles by the end of the first cetury AD was related to Paul’s evangelistic impact on the “imperial guard” at this time.  In addition, most of the people in the house churches in Rome had been motivated by the success of Paul’s witness in his house arrest and were sharing Christ with much greater boldness.

1:15-18a- “Some, to be sure, preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of good will.  These do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, seeking to cause mw trouble in my imprisonment.  What does it matter?  Just that in every way, whether out of false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed.  And in this I rejoice.”

Others in the church in Rome, however, though also witnessing, were doing so with bad attitudes and worse motivations.  Interestingly, though Paul notes this problem very clearly, his overall take is that he and his Philippian readers should rejoice simply because the gospel was being proclaimed.  The section also sets up what Paul is going to talk to the Philippians about as being a problem in their midst: bad attitudes and motives.  The problem with disunity that Paul takes on in Phil. 1:27-2:4 is definitely part of the overall situation in the church that Paul is addressing, as well as naming the names of the troublemakers Euodia and Syntyche in 4:2-3.

1:18b-20- “Yes, and I will rejoice because I know this will lead to my deliverance in through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.  My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or death.”

Philippians was almost surely written near the end of the two years in house arrest in Rome (see Acts 28:20) that is known from extra-biblical sources to be the maximum length of time a prisoner could be held without be confronted by his accusers.  By this time, Paul has become convinced that he will soon be released.  However, if he is wrong and his life will soon be on the life in going before the Roman tribunal, Paul is focused on living–or dying–in a manner that will most glorify Christ.

1:21-24- “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.  Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose.  I am pressured by both.  I have the desire to depart and be with Christ–which is far better–but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.”

If Paul had been granted his wish in the midst of his current circumstances by the Lord, he would have chosen death, no questions asked… if he did not have the responsibility of his gospel partners so heavy on his heart.  Because he did, though, he had very mixed feelings.  However, from a practical standpoint, he knew that it was the best thing for his earthly life to continue, which would allow his ongoing ministry to his gospel partners in Philippi.

1:25-26- “Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your advancement and joy in the faith, so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to see you again.”

Paul is looking forward to getting released from his current imprisonment in Rome, so that he will be free to go and visit his gospel partners in Philippi.  After seeing how much his effective evangelistic ministry in Rome had encouraged the believers there, Paul was absolutely convinced the same sort of thing would take place in Philippi.

Coming Tuesday: Outline of Philippians 1:27-2:4