Philippians 1:12-18
Joy in the
Advancement of the
Gospel
Philippians 1:12-18
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to
me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has
become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to
all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most
of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my
imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word
without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but
others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love,
knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not
sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense
or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.”
I. The Gospel Will Advance Despite Our
Circumstances (vs. 12-13)
II. The Gospel’s Advancement Will Bring
Confidence and Boldness, Destroying Our
Fear (1:14)
III. The Gospel Will Advance Despite Our
Intentions (1:15-18a)
IV. The Gospel’s Advancement Will Bring
Joy (1:18)
I. The Gospel Will Advance Despite Our
Circumstances (1:12-13)
“I want you to know, brothers, that
what has happened to me has really
13
served to advance the gospel, so
that it has become known
throughout the whole imperial
guard and to all the rest that my
imprisonment is for Christ.”
“advance”
=
προκοπή (prokopen)
=
“progress, furtherance or
profitability”
“imperial guard” = Praetorium
9,000 handpicked soldiers
honored with double-pay, good
pensions, and special duties,
such as guarding military and
political prisoners
Acts 28:16:
“And when we came into Rome, Paul
was allowed to stay by himself, with
the soldier who guarded him.”
4:21-22:
“Greet every saint in Christ
Jesus. The brothers who are
with me greet you. All the
saints greet you, especially
those of Caesar’s
household.”
Genesis 50:20:
“you meant it for evil, but
God meant it for good”
Dr. John MacArthur: “Paul’s example
of selfless humility shows that the
worse circumstances are, the
greater joy can be. When the
seemingly secure things in life begin
to collapse, when suffering and
sorrow increase, believers should be
drawn into ever-deeper fellowship
with the Lord. It is then that they
will most fully experience the
enduring joy the apostle knew so
well. This joy is far greater and more
satisfying than any fleeting
circumstantial happiness. And this
unmixed joy comes not because of
circumstances, but in spite of them
and through them.”
Mark 16:15:
“go into all the world and
spread the Gospel”
II. The Gospel’s Advancement Will Bring
Confidence and Boldness, Destroying Our
Fear (1:14)
“And most of the brothers,
having become confident in the
Lord by my imprisonment, are
much more bold to speak the
word without fear.”
Philippians 1:6:
“And I am confident of this, that
he who began a good work in
you will bring it to completion at
the day of Jesus Christ.”
Jonah 2:9
“Salvation
is of the Lord.”
Jim Elliot:
“He is no fool
who gives what
he cannot keep
to gain what he
cannot lose.”
III. The Gospel Will Advance Despite
Our Intentions (1:15-18a)
“Some
indeed preach Christ from envy and
rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do
it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the
defense of the gospel. The former proclaim
Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but
thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What
then? Only that in every way, whether in
pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed”
vs. 15:
“Some indeed preach Christ from
envy and rivalry, but others from
good will. “
4:2:
“I entreat Euodia and I
entreat Syntyche to agree
in the Lord.”
vs 17:
“The former proclaim
Christ out of selfish
ambition, not sincerely
but thinking to afflict me
in my imprisonment.”
vs. 18:
“…in every way, whether
in pretense or in truth,
Christ is proclaimed”
Don Carson: “Paul’s example is impressive
and clear: Put the advance of the gospel at
the center of your aspirations. Our own
comfort, our bruised feelings, our
reputations, our misunderstood motives –
all of these are insignificant in comparison
with the advance and splendor of the
gospel. As Christians, we are called upon to
put the advance of the gospel at the very
center of our aspirations…”
…What are your aspirations? To make money? To get
married? To travel? To see your grandchildren grow up?
To find a new job? To retire early? None of these is
inadmissible; none is to be despised. The question is
whether these aspirations become so devouring that the
Christian’s central aspiration is squeezed to the periphery
or choked out of existence entirely.” (Don Carson)
vs. 15-16:
“…from good will. The latter
do it out of love…”
IV. The Gospel’s Advancement
Will Bring Joy (1:18b)
“Christ is
proclaimed, and in
that I rejoice.”
“rejoice”
=
χαίρω (kario)
=
“being glad; exceeding
celebration; delight”
“rejoice”
=
χαίρω (kario)
=
“being glad; exceeding
celebration; delight”
I. The Gospel Will Advance Despite Our
Circumstances (vs. 12-13)
II. The Gospel’s Advancement Will Bring
Confidence and Boldness, Destroying Our
Fear (1:14)
III. The Gospel Will Advance Despite Our
Intentions (1:15-18a)
IV. The Gospel’s Advancement Will Bring
Joy (1:18)