12Now the brothers were to know that what had happened to him had actually served to advance the gospel. [1:13] As a result, his chains became known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard and to everyone else. [1:14] And most of the brothers, having been encouraged in the Lord by his imprisonment, dared all the more fearlessly to speak the word. [1:15] Some indeed preached Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. [1:16] The latter did so out of love, knowing that he was put here for the defense of the gospel. [1:17] The former proclaimed Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to stir up trouble for him in his imprisonment. [1:18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that he rejoiced. Indeed, he would continue to rejoice, [1:19] for he knew that this would turn out for his deliverance through their prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. [1:20] It was his eager expectation and hope that he would not be ashamed in anything, but that with all boldness, as always, even now Christ would be magnified in his body, whether by life or by death.
PHP 1:12-20
Paulʼs Trials Advance the Gospel
In the world it was spoken into
In Philippi, a Roman colony, Paul’s imprisonment would have been seen as a mark of shame and weakness, undermining his credibility. Yet, Paul reframes his chains as a means of advancing the gospel , a term evoking progress on a journey or military advance. His imprisonment in the , likely the governor’s headquarters or a military barracks, brought the gospel into the heart of Roman authority, a bold claim for a marginalized movement. Some preached Christ out of envy and rivalry , motives tied to competition for honor in a patronage-driven society. Others acted from goodwill , aligning with Paul’s mission. Paul’s focus on Christ’s proclamation, regardless of motives, highlights the gospel’s reach into unexpected places, including Roman power structures and rival factions.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
PHP 1:12
- KJV
- But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
- BSB
- Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel.
- Koinōnos
- Now the brothers were to know that what had happened to him had actually served to advance the gospel.
PHP 1:13
- KJV
- So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
- BSB
- As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
- Koinōnos
- As a result, his chains became known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard and to everyone else.
PHP 1:14
- KJV
- And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
- BSB
- And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.
- Koinōnos
- And most of the brothers, having been encouraged in the Lord by his imprisonment, dared all the more fearlessly to speak the word.
PHP 1:15
- KJV
- Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
- BSB
- It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
- Koinōnos
- Some indeed preached Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
PHP 1:16
- KJV
- The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
- BSB
- The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
- Koinōnos
- The latter did so out of love, knowing that he was put here for the defense of the gospel.
PHP 1:17
- KJV
- But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
- BSB
- The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.
- Koinōnos
- The former proclaimed Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to stir up trouble for him in his imprisonment.
PHP 1:18
- KJV
- What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
- BSB
- What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
- Koinōnos
- What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that he rejoiced. Indeed, he would continue to rejoice,
PHP 1:19
- KJV
- For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
- BSB
- because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.
- Koinōnos
- for he knew that this would turn out for his deliverance through their prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
PHP 1:20
- KJV
- According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
- BSB
- I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
- Koinōnos
- It was his eager expectation and hope that he would not be ashamed in anything, but that with all boldness, as always, even now Christ would be magnified in his body, whether by life or by death.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.9.2
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.9.2
“Now Pilate, who was sent as procurator into Judea by Tiberius, sent by night those images of Caesar that are called ensigns into Jerusalem.”
Cited to ground: Paul’s imprisonment in the praetorium, likely the governor’s headquarters or a military barracks, brought the gospel into the heart of Roman authority
Translator's notes
PHP 1:12
- [the] advancement:The word translated 'advancement' here literally means progress on a journey, suggesting a forward movement or breakthrough, not just general improvement.
PHP 1:13
- palace guard:The term 'palace guard' refers to the Praetorian Guard, an elite unit of the Roman army responsible for guarding the emperor and his residence, not just any palace guards.
PHP 1:17
- selfish ambition:The word translated 'selfish ambition' originally described working for pay or canvassing for public office, carrying a strong sense of self-serving rivalry and intrigue.
PHP 1:20
- earnest expectation:The word translated 'earnest expectation' is a very strong term, picturing someone craning their neck forward, eagerly looking into the distance for something to appear.