But I wish you to understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have served rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
All Commentaries on Philippians 1:12 Go To Philippians 1
John Chrysostom
AD 407
It was likely they would grieve when they heard he was in bonds, and imagine that the preaching was at a stand. What then? He straightway destroys this suspicion. And this also shows his affection, that he declares the things which had happened to him, because they were anxious. What say you? You are in bonds! You are hindered! How then does the Gospel advance? He answers, so that my bonds in Christ became manifest in all the prætorium. This thing not only did not silence the rest, nor affright them, but contrariwise rather encouraged them. If then they who were near the dangers were not only nothing hurt, but even received greater confidence, much more should you. Had he when in bonds taken it hardly, and held his peace, it were probable that they would be affected in like sort. But as he spoke more boldly when in bonds, he gave them more confidence than if he had not been bound. And how have his bonds turned to the progress of the Gospel? So God in His dispensation ordered, he means, that my bonds were not hid, my bonds which were in Christ, which were for Christ.
In the whole prætorium. For up to that time they so called the palace. And in the whole city, says he.
