Bound but Unstoppable: Chains Can't Hold Back the Gospel

The Lord has used Paul’s imprisonment for the advance of the gospel, and Paul notes two ways in which the message about Jesus has gone forward. First, it has become public knowledge that the apostle’s imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. Second, the proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah has increased, both because the brothers and sisters have become much more daring in speaking God’s Word and because even those contentious people who talk about Jesus out of wrong motives inadvertently proclaim Him as the Messiah! Thus, whether it is Paul’s supporters or enemies who discuss his mission and message publicly, the apostle considers the public discussion a “win” for the gospel mission. [1]

[1] Guthrie, G. H. Philippians. Edited by Clinton Arnold. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2023.