Philippians 1:12 – 1:30 Outline

Day 2 – 1:12 – 1:30 – Paul reflects on his imprisonment

v12 – The gospel is still advancing even though he is in prison

• how confident we can be that no matter our circumstances, or no matter how weak or useless we may feel, God can and will still move. We can trust his strength over our own.
• Our situations that we find ourselves in, whether they are results of our own actions or not, they can be used to bring glory to God and other the knowledge of salvation.
• Dwelling on our problems will discourage us, like the philippians were grieving with Paul’s imprisonment. Instead, work to push God’s kingdom forward. 

v13 – Paul makes known to those guards around him that his imprisonment is for following Christ

v14 -other believers grew in confidence and became bold for Paul’s imprisonment

v15 – Some preach from envy and rivalry, others from good will

v16 – Those who preach from good will do so for love and reiterates he is there for defending the gospel

v17 – Paul mentions disunity in the church because they preach Christ to afflict him.

v18 – Paul says he is glad that even with motives that are not the best, Christ is preached. 

• We can remember to preach the good news of Christ out of love. 
• We can remember that even though we may face times where unity seems absent around us, to continue to preach Christ because it is true. And even though ways and methods are different, we can rejoice Christ is being preached.
• We should not however use this to dismiss or turn blind eye to those preaching a different Christ as this is talking about motives, not substance of truth.
• Great commission teaches us to spread the news and teach people to obey Christ commands, and Paul’s letter to the galatians reminds us to dismiss those that preach another gospel. Do not follow a gospel that is different than the one we know of in God’s word.

v19 – prayers for deliverance

• even if Paul’s deliverance does not materialize, he will still have eternal life by God.

v20 – no matter living or dying, Paul emphasizes that Jesus should remain a priority. Honor Christ all the way until and through death.

v21 – To live is Christ and to die is gain. Seek the advancement of the kingdom of God. We should be working on earth until we die when we will be freed of the troubles of the world and eternally be with Jesus.

v22 – 24 – Paul knows being with Christ is better than this world, but it is necessary to continue the work here.

• v23 Christians will be with Christ right when they die, even before their bodies are raised.

v25 – Remain and continue with you for progress. Paul is using an example of service-driven life.

v26 – Paul knows he is encouraging to the Philippians

v27 – manner ONLY worthy of the gospel and unity

v28 – do not be afraid. Courage in the face of opponents is strength. People who oppose God’s people are heading to destruction. Christ teaches persecution is a sign followers belong to Christ. God’s grace does not weaken because of his opponents.

v29 – In reality followers of Christ will suffer for his sake. This is a privilege and Paul demonstrates this through his imprisonment. 

v30 – Paul shares his example of the affliction is a similar conflict with hostile unbelievers.