THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
813
Jesus Christ,” i. e., the life of God enters into us through Jesus Christ and produces the fruit of righteousness in us. TUESDAY, September 16 . Philippians 1 :1 2 - 1 4 . Paul now proceeds to speak of his present circumstances. He tells them first of all that, “the things which hap pened to me (more accurately, the things concerning me—i. e., my cir cumstances, he refers principally to his imprisonment) have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel” (rather than unto the hindrance of the gospel, as was the purpose of his enemies and as seemed likely when he was arrested). God always makes opposition to his cause, even the bitterest opposition, promote his cause, if his servants prove true and steadfast under trial, (cf. Ps. 76:10). Paul expresses very strongly his desire that the saints in Philippi know this: he says, “I would (or, will to) have you know” this. It is very important that Christians understand this fact. The way in which Paul’s imprisonment had turned out to the progress of the gospel was his “bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest.” As one after another of the famous old praetorian guard came to take his place as a watcher beside Paul, Paul preached the gospel to him and he took back the story of it to the oth ers, until the whole guard was influ enced by it and many others. By the imprisonment of Paul at Rome the gos pel got an entrance into circles which it could have reached in no other way: But Paul’s imprisonment furthered the gospel in yet another way: “most of the brethren in the Lord” in Rome, “being confident in (rather, having trusted in HW) e„ having gained confidence through the faith and loyalty of a man who was true even unto bonds)” his “bonds” became ‘more abundantly bold (literally, dared—or, ventured—more abundantly) to speak the word of God without fear.” The saints in Rome had been overawed and timorous until Paul came, but his example gave boldness to them all. It is to be noted, that just ordinary “brethren in the Lord (and not merely the ordained officers of the church)” went to preaching “the word of God.” The expression “brethren in the Lord” is significant: they were brethren because of their union with one common Lord.
WEDNESDAY* September 17 . Philip pians 1 : 1 5 - 1 7 . Of the brethren who were embold ened by Paul’s fearlessness in captivity to go to preaching the word of God themselves there were two classes, as there are two classes today among those who preach the word of God. One class preached Christ “because of envy (of Paul) and strife (in a spirit of contention).” These were probably of the Judaizing party, which followed Paul everywhere and sought to upset his work. They became active when Paul came, just as many sects today only bestir themselves when there is an increase of interest in other churches. The other class preached Christ “because of good will (kindly inten tion).” This class did it “out of love (out of love to Paul and all men), knowing that” Paul was “set for the defence of the, gospel.” The other class proclaimed “Christ out of faction (party spirit), not sincerely (rather, purely), thinking to raise up affliction” for Paul “in his (my) bonds.” Their thought probably was, that it would be a matter of grief to Paul in his help less condition to have their doctrines preached and converts won from among his disciples. How nobly Paul met the mean attempt bf his adversaries among- the brethren, and what a lesson it is to us all: instead of being grieved that his adversaries preached Christ, he was delighted that they did. He so loved Christ that it brought him joy to have Christ preached by any body, no matter from what motive they did it, “whether in pretense or in truth.” The only question with Paul was, “Is Christ being preached?” and that ought to be the only question with us. if Christ was being preached, then Paul was happy, no matter who was dbing the preaching and no matter what their motive was in doing the preaching. Oh, that we were so dominated by love to Christ, that we too would rejoice when Christ was being preached regardless of who was doing the preaching, and that we would not spend so much time in questioning the motives of other preachers! Is he preaching Christ? that is the question. THURSDAY, September 18. Philippians 1 :1 8 .
Made with FlippingBook Online document