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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 1:12-20

We see here the care the apostle takes to prevent their being offended at his sufferings. He was now a prisoner at Rome; this might be a stumbling-block to those who had received the gospel by his ministry. They might be tempted to think, If this doctrine were indeed of God, God would not suffer one who was so active and instrumental in preaching and propagating it to be thrown by as a despised broken vessel. They might be shy of owning this doctrine, lest they should be involved in the same... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 1:12-14

1:12-14 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has resulted rather in the advancement of the gospel, because it has been demonstrated to the whole Praetorian Guard and to all the others that my imprisonment is borne for Christ's sake and in Christ's strength; and the result is that through my bonds more of the brothers have found confidence in the Lord the more exceedingly to dare fearlessly to speak the word of God. Paul was a prisoner but so far from his imprisonment... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:14

And many of the brethren in the Lord ,.... This is another instance of the usefulness of the apostle's sufferings, and another proof of their being for the furtherance of the Gospel; they were not only the means of the conversion of many that were without, but were very encouraging and strengthening to them that were within the church, and to many that were in the ministry; who are called "brethren", some real, others nominal; being partakers of the grace of God, at least in profession, or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:14

Waxing confident - Finding the effect produced by the public defense which the apostle made, they were greatly encouraged, and the more boldly and openly proclaimed the doctrine of Christ crucified. The word - The doctrine of Christ; several excellent MSS. and versions add, some Θεου , others Κυριου , the word of God, or the word of the Lord. This is a respectable reading, and is probably genuine. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:14

Verse 14 14Many of the brethren. By this instance we are taught that the tortures of the saints, endured by them in behalf of the gospel, are a ground of confidence (65) to us. It were indeed a dreadful spectacle, and such as might tend rather to dishearten us, did we see nothing but the cruelty and rage of the persecutors. When, however, we see at the same time the hand of the Lord, which makes his people unconquerable, (66) under the infirmity of the Cross, and causes them to triumph, relying... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-14

Furtherance of the gospel through the apostle's imprisonment. He now proceeds to inform his converts of his condition at Rome, with his hopes and his fears for the future. His imprisonment had in two important respects signally promoted the growth of Christianity in the great metropolis of the world. I. HIS SUFFERINGS FOR CHRIST HAD BECOME KNOWN TO THE SOLDIERS OF THE PRAETORIAN GUARD AND TO OTHERS . "My bonds have become manifest in Christ throughout... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-14

The benefits conferred upon men by the stead , fast confession of our faith. I. ON THE UNCONVERTED . To such it is an evidence of the truth, No witness is more effective than the consistent faithfulness of a professing Christian. Such witnesses for Christ by bravely resisting all inducements to abandon him, and of Christ by manifesting his strength in human weakness. Thus it witnesses to him. It is by such witness that Christ is now to be manifested to the heathen. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-14

Christianity promoted by being persecuted. It might naturally have been thought that the arrest of the missionary journeys of St. Paul, and the shock of his imprisonment, would have seriously checked the spread of the gospel. The apostle is anxious that his readers should understand that these apparently untoward events have had the very opposite effect, and this in two ways. I. THE WORK OF ST . PAUL WAS RENDERED MORE EFFECTIVE BY THE VERY PERSECUTIONS HE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-18

The apostle's own circumstances. His holy unselfishness. He measures his condition, not by its present hardships or comforts, but by the facilities which it gives for spreading the knowledge of Christ. I. HIS IMPRISONMENT HAS TURNED TO THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL . It was not to have been expected; the area of his preaching was contracted; he himself was suffering and confined. But God makes "all things work together for good to them that love him;" even things... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-18

A grand principle and a splendid example. "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. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of... read more

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