“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things (which happened) unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other (places); and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear”.
“But I-wish you to-know, brothers, that the-(things) concerning me have-turned-out rather to (the) furtherance of-the glad tidings, so-that my bonds have-become manifest in Christ in (the) whole-of the Praetorium, and to-all the rest, and the most of-the brothers in (the) Lord being-confident by-my bonds, more-abundantly dare to-speak the word fearlessly.”
Verses 1 to 11 have formed a sort of introduction to the Apostle’s letter to his beloved brethren in Philippi: an introduction that has breathed out his intense love for them, and his joy and confidence in them. With verse 12 we begin a new subject, even his own condition in Rome. It is experience we have brought before us now, rather than doctrine: and let us remember these lines were written, not merely for the beloved saints in Philippi, but for our sakes also they were written: nor were they written merely to satisfy curiosity as to Paul’s condition, and the condition of the gospel at that time: but there are precious, hidden lessons in these words for each one of us.
It would be only natural for the saints to assume that now the great Apostle of the Gentiles is silenced and in prison, that the glad tidings (which had been committed to his trust) would suffer. So the very first thing the Apostle tells them, is that this is not the case: instead, “the things concerning me have turned out rather to the furtherance of the glad tidings.” That little word rather seems to say, “Contrary to what might be expected.” Instead of the Apostle’s captivity hindering the glad tidings, it has helped them, it has advanced them, it tells of progress rather than failure. What comfort this may bring to our hearts in these days, when we seem to see the enemy gaining victories on so many fronts: the doors for the gospel closed in China, and other lands, and many of the Lord’s true-hearted servants in prisons or labor-camps. Doubtless the enemy of souls rejoices that he has won a mighty victory. But the verses before us may fill our hearts with peace; for the Captain of our salvation is still the same: He has never lost a battle, and He never will: and the day will come when we, too, will rejoice to see that the things that are happening in China, and other lands, will turn out to the furtherance of the glad tidings. Paul had written to the saints in Rome, (not many years before), saying: “We do know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” (See New Translation; Rom. 8:2828And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)). Now he is giving them a practical demonstration that what he had written to them is really true. And that precious verse is still true: you and I may rest upon it without fear: as we read on we will see that the Apostle still held to it, even when only too manifest that the flesh had come in. “All things” with the Apostle really meant “ALL THINGS,” even though we may be slow to believe it.
And how could Paul’s imprisonment turn out to the furtherance of the glad tidings? In two ways. First, that very imprisonment meant that for 24 hours a day the Apostle was bound with a chain to a Roman soldier who could not leave him, even if he wished to. The Apostle’s right arm was chained to the soldier’s left, with a “coupling-chain,” or, “handcuff,” and as the guards were changed, day by day, many a soldier would hear the gospel from Paul’s lips, “so that my bonds have become manifest in Christ in the whole of the Pretorium.” It is not quite certain what is meant by the “Pretorium.” Probably not the imperial palace, as our English version would suggest, but rather it almost surely means the great “Imperial Guard,” who were quartered in a fortified camp, on the east side of Rome. It is said to have consisted of 10,000 picked men, all of Italian birth. As each guard returned to the barracks after his spell of duty, he would tell his comrades of the strange prisoner he had been watching that day: not a criminal: not a political prisoner: but a prisoner solely for Christ’s sake: so his bonds became manifest to all, to the whole Camp, as “in Christ.”
Through the mercy of God, you and I are not bound to anyone with a coupling-chain, but we are daily brought into contact with many. We go to school, or to the shop, or office, we do our shopping, the baker calls or the postman: I wonder is it manifest to each that we belong to Christ? Are these daily contacts for the furtherance of the glad tidings? Were Paul in our place, they surely would be. God may use even a child for this work. I recall a boy of 12 or 14 who was used to lead a man to Christ, by giving him a tract each time he left his films to be developed: at first the man laughed at him, but he told me himself, that child was really the means of winning him to Christ: and after he was won, he used to open his shop in the evenings for gospel meetings, and who knows how many others were won?
But the Pretorium guards were not the only ones to hear the glad tidings from Paul’s lips. He adds these brief, but comprehensive words: “And all the rest” (Luke 24:99And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. (Luke 24:9)). We might suppose this means all the rest of the city of Rome also came to know of his bonds, and the cause of them: and you will recall Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concerned the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. (Acts 28:30-3130And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. (Acts 28:30‑31)). So it is evident that without going out of his house, he had a very wide circle of service. But we also know that “all the rest” included even more than Rome: for we know of a run-away slave, perhaps from Colosse: a “useless” slave, we know; who was blessed in that hired house. (Philem. 1:10-1110I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: (Philemon 10‑11): etc. See Bagster’s New Interlinear Greek New Testament).
But there was another, and much more unexpected way in which the Apostle’s imprisonment had turned to the furtherance of the glad tidings. I doubt not the great enemy had thought when he got Paul imprisoned, that then the less bold would fear to take a stand, or speak for Christ, in case it brought them like troubles. The exact opposite was the result. The Apostle writes: “And the most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident by my bonds, more abundantly dare to speak the Word fearlessly” (Verse 14). There is nothing stirs the hearts of true servants of Christ to fervor and boldness, like a fervent, fearless, bold servant of Christ, who is ready to suffer for his Master. How often have those who have witnessed the death of a martyr, become followers of the martyr, and of his Master! Indeed the word “martyr” is merely the Greek word for a “witness.” In suffering and death, many a martyr has borne a more powerful witness to Christ, than ever he could by his life. May it not have been the fervent, fearless martyr Stephen who was the first link in the chain that caused Paul to be the bold and fearless witness for Christ that he afterward became.
Our Lord does not offer us an easy pathway down here: on the contrary he says: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, (say ‘No’ to himself), and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Luke 9:2323And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)) (Matt. 16:2424Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)). He says again, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:1212Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)). And again: “Suffer evil along with the glad tidings” (2 Tim. 1:88Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (2 Timothy 1:8): New Translation). It is not the sight of Christians living in ease and luxury that stirs the heart to follow Christ, to be confident, and to more abundantly dare speak the Word fearlessly. No, it is the fearless servant of Christ, who for Christ’s sake is ready to suffer for the One he loves and follows; it is such a one who stirs my heart to go and do likewise. And this was the unexpected result of Paul’s chain. Instead of one mouth to tell the story, now “most of the brothers” are telling out the glad tidings.
It has always been the same. The first British martyr was Alban. He was a pagan, but by nature a kindly man, and sheltered a Christian named Amphibalus, who was being pursued. His contact with this Christian made a deep impression on him, and when finally the officers found where he was hiding, Alban changed clothes with him, in order to protect him. He was himself carried before the Governor, who commanded him to sacrifice to the idols. The brave Alban replied he was a Christian, and could not. The Governor first scourged, and then beheaded him. The venerable Bede states that the executioner, beholding, suddenly accepted Christ himself, and entreated permission either to die in Alban’s place, or else to die with him. Both were beheaded by a soldier on the 22nd of June, 287, at Verulam, now St. Alban’s. Many more similar instances might be quoted. See Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.
THE SERVANT’S PATH IN A DAY OF REJECTION
Servant of Christ, stand fast amid the scorn
Of men who little know or love thy Lord;
Turn not aside from toil; cease not to warn,
Comfort and teach. Trust Him for thy reward:
A few more moments’ suffering, and then
Cometh sweet rest from all thy heart’s deep pain.
For grace pray much, for much thou needest grace;
If men thy work deride…what can they more?
Christ’s weary foot thy path on earth doth trace;
If thorns wound thee, they pierced Him before;
Press on, look up, though clouds may gather round;
Thy place of service He makes hallowed ground.
Have friends forsaken thee, and cast thy name
Out as a worthless thing? Take courage then;
Go, tell thy Master, for they did the same
To Him, Who once in patience toiled for them:
Yet He was perfect in all service here;
Thou oft hast failed; this maketh Him more dear.
“The time is short”: seek little here below;
Earth’s goods would cumber thee, and drag thee down;
Let daily food suffice; care not to know
Thought for tomorrow; it may never come,
Thou canst not perish, for thy Lord is nigh,
And His own care will all thy need supply.