And many of the brethren in the Lord, becoming confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
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Ambrosiaster
AD 400
His constancy inspires others to be fearless in preaching. They are learning by the apostle’s example that God is present to watch over those who love him. This itself has an effect upon the misguided brethren who have been preaching the Word of God as if from envy, prompted not by confidence or love of God but by competitiveness. .
And many of encouraged by the intrepidity and perseverance of the apostle. (Calmet)
Knowing that sufferings undergone for the cause of Jesus Christ were most honourable, and the portion truly enviable of all the saints, as by sufferings they were known to be his disciples, and by sufferings they were to purchase that eternal weight of glory prepared for all that suffer patiently and joyfully for God's sake.
This shows that they were of good courage even before, and spoke with boldness, but much more now. If others then, says he, are of good courage through my bonds, much more am I; if I am the cause of confidence to others, much more to myself. And most of the brethren in the Lord. As it was a great thing to say, My bonds gave confidence to them, he therefore adds beforehand, in the Lord. Do you see how, even when he sees himself constrained to speak great things, he departs not from moderation? Are more abundantly bold, he says, to speak the word without fear; the words more abundantly show that they had already begun.
“It is confidence in the Lord, not in me as such, that is elicited by my chains. As others take courage from my bonds, so do I. As I become the cause of confidence to others, much more does this have an effect within myself.” … Note how Paul, even in speaking of great things, remains aware of the tendency toward pride and does not cease to enjoin modesty. .
When (the apostle) mentions the several motives of those who were preaching the gospel, how that some, "waxing confident by his bonds, were more fearless in speaking the word "while others "preached Christ even out of envy and strife, and again others out of good-will "many also "out of love "and certain "out of contention "and some "in rivalry to himself"
