Caring First About the Progress of the Gospel

1:12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel

Paul here begins a rather long section (through v.26) explaining his present circumstances. This is the longest discussion of his personal situation in any of his letters.

Remember that Paul’s present circumstances are that he is imprisoned in Rome, under house arrest, chained (probably to a Roman guard), but, as it says in Acts 28:30-31, "he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered." These are the circumstances that "have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel."

The wonderful thing about Phil.1:12 is that Paul is focussed not on the unpleasantness of his circumstances, but on the benefit that his unpleasant circumstances are producing in the lives of others. O that we would have the same mind set. Indeed, when we become focussed on the pain or discomfort of our circumstances, we make it very unlikely that there will be any benefit for others. But when, like Paul, we can have joy and peace in Jesus Christ even when life circumstances are bitter, then we can have a wonderful ministry in the lives of others. When we are sick or have experienced a loss or been fired or had some tragedy occur to us, it is as if people listen to us in a way that they listen at no other time. Hard circumstances give us a platform to communicate to others. We can speak of the goodness of God and be a light for Christ or we can complain about the irritations of life and be just like the world.

Lord, help me to stop whining when difficulties come into my life. Instead, help me to see them as opportunities to shine in the darkness of this world. Help me, like Paul, to care more about the eternal destinies of others and the advancement of the gospel than I do about my own earthly distresses. Give me the grace to sing the joyful song of the gospel in the prisons of my life. Give me boldness so that my hard circumstances may turn out for the greater progress of the gospel.