Phili 1:12-26 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Phil 1:12-19: 1:12-19 Paul rejoiced that his imprisonment had resulted in the spread of the Good News. 1:12 my dear brothers and sisters: Greek adelphoi, a generic term commonly used to address members of the same family, both male and female. • Everything that has happened to me here refers to Paul’s imprisonment. • has helped to spread the Good News: See Acts 28:17-31 for an example of this.

Summary for Phil 1:12-19: 1:12-19 ^a Paul rejoiced that his imprisonment had resulted in the spread of the Good News. 1:12 ^b my dear brothers and sisters: Greek adelphoi, a generic term commonly used to address members of the same family, both male and female.

• Everything that has happened to me here refers to Paul’s imprisonment.

• has helped to spread the Good News: See Acts 28:17-31 ^c for an example of this.
1:13 ^d The whole palace guard were workers in the emperor’s or provincial governor’s official residence (see 4:22 ^e).

• Paul was in prison because of Christ—that is, because of preaching the Good News of Christ (cp. Acts 21:26–28:31 ^f).
1:14 ^g As a result of Paul’s courage and boldness, the believers (literally the brothers in the Lord; see study note on 1:12) had become more daring and less fearful in proclaiming God’s message. Paul’s boldness was contagious.
Summary for Phil 1:15-18: 1:15-18 ^h some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry: They evidently were believers who were critical of Paul (cp. 2 Cor 10–13 ⁱ; Gal 4:12-20 ^j; 5:7-12 ^k). Even so, the message about Christ was being preached, so Paul rejoiced.
1:19 ^l this will lead to my deliverance: Paul expected to be released from prison soon (see 1:25-26 ^m; 2:24 ⁿ; contrast 2 Tim 4:6 ^o, written from prison at a later time when Paul expected death).
1:21 ^p dying is even better: For believers, death holds no fear, as death leads directly into the presence of Christ (see 1:23 ^q; cp. John 5:24 ^r; 11:25-26 ^s; Rom 8:38-39 ^t).
1:23 ^u I long to go and be with Christ: Death leads believers immediately into the Lord’s presence (cp. 3:20-21 ^v; 1 Cor 15:20-23 ^w, 51-52 ^x; 2 Cor 5:1-8 ^y; 1 Thes 4:13-17 ^z).
1:25 ^aa The well-being of the church is more important to Paul than his own desire to be with Christ.

• experience the joy of your faith: Believers are encouraged to find joy even in the midst of suffering (see 4:4 ^ab; John 15:11 ^ac, 20 ^ad; 16:20-24 ^ae; 1 Thes 5:16 ^af).