Philippians 1:13

So that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest.

The praetorian guard ... The KJV's rendition of this as "the palace," has been rejected on what appears to be sufficient grounds; but the mention of "saints in Caesar's household" (Philippians 4:22) surely indicates that the word of the gospel was assuredly known "in the palace," whether or not this verse states the fact.

Lightfoot, especially, did extensive work to prove that "praetorian" as used here is reference to a body of men, and not to a place; and most commentators follow Lightfoot's lead on this. Despite this, the opinion persists that such a view could be challenged.

Paul, although blessed with some liberty, was nevertheless chained to a Roman soldier at all times, his captor being changed several times a day, and thus providing Paul with a captive audience which included, in time, practically the whole praetorian guard, a body of troops assigned to the person of the emperor. It is not hard to understand how Paul would have taken advantage of such an opportunity.

And to all the rest ... This usually is understood as meaning the rest of the praetorian troops; but it might have a wider application to many others who were in Rome at that time. Hayes, understanding this as "the whole praetorian guard," stated that it must have taken some time for this to become possible.[30] This, of course, seems to place the writing of Philippians near the end of a period of imprisonment.

My bonds became manifest in Christ ... This refers to the fact that the reasons for Paul's imprisonment became generally known as unconnected with any kind of crime or misdemeanor and derived solely from his faithfulness in preaching the gospel of Christ. Such a truth would have endeared him to many in the praetorian.