The Things that have Happened unto Me have Fallen Out Rather unto the Furtherance of the Gospel
Philippians 1:12-20
But I would you should understand, brothers…


The Philippians looked upon the imprisonment as a calamity; Paul assures them that it was an element of prosperity. This shows how much our estimate of men and things depends upon the angle from which we conduct the examination. Circumstances are often the only lexicons which can determine the meaning of words. "Ruin" at Philippi meant "coronation" at Rome. Much depends on the plane of vision as well as upon optical power. There is a germ of prophecy here. By and by we shall see life from higher standpoints. It is better for the student to study his dark problems at Rome than at Philippi. Circumstances the most untoward may in reality be advancing the Divine kingdom. Every purpose of God may be thwarted, but the outcome of the ages will show that God's great plan has been realized.

I. GOD'S PROVIDENCE IS NOT TO BE INTERPRETED IN FRAGMENTS.

II. THE MORAL IS HIGHER THAN THE PERSONAL. Paul is in prison; the gospel is free.

III. THE BONDS OF ONE MAN MAY GIVE INSPIRATION TO THE LIBERTY OF ANOTHER (ver. 14).

IV. THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL DEPENDS UPON NO ONE MAN.

V. EVEN THE AFFLICTED HAVE A MISSION.

(J. Parker, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

WEB: Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;




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