“TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN”

Philippians 1:12 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

Gospel Advances Regardless of Trouble

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

Now I want you to know, brothers – Paul here turns to himself and goes into a somewhat extended account of his own feelings in his trials. Of the effects of his imprisonment at Rome, he wished them to understand what his circumstances were, and what had been the effect of his imprisonment, probably, for such reasons as these:

(1) They were tenderly attached to him and would feel interested in all that pertained to him.

(2) It was possible that they might hear unfounded rumors about the manner of his treatment, and he wished that they should understand the exact truth.

(3) He had real intelligence to communicate to them that would be joyful about the effect of his imprisonment and his treatment there, and he wished them to rejoice with him.

That what has happened to me – The accusations against him and his imprisonment at Rome, he had been falsely accused, constrained to appeal to Caesar, and taken to Rome as a prisoner; Acts 25–28. This arrest and imprisonment would seem to have been against his success as a preacher, but he now says that the contrary had been the fact.

Has really served – Have resulted in. Literally, “have come.”

To advance the gospel – The increase, the promotion of the gospel. Instead of being a hindrance, they have been rather an advantage.

Paul points to his own persecution and his present imprisonment in Rome. Instead of hampering the gospel, these have advanced it. Paul appears to be reassuring the Philippians that even though his movements are restricted, mere human constraints cannot thwart the gospel.^[1]

^[1] Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 209.