Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

this recognition of their true meaning existing throughout the whole of the Praetorian Guard and
among all the rest.
KJV Philippians 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other
places;
TRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTS
Paul’s imprisonment gave him the opportunity to spread the gospel to the entire Praetorian Guard,
those stationed in Rome as well as those encamped outside the city. The main detachment of the
Praetorian Guard was housed in barracks in Rome, serving as bodyguards for the emperor. Paul’s
reason for being imprisoned (preaching the Christian gospel) was also spread by public notice and
by gossip (Culminative Aorist tense) to the rest of the citizens of Rome (SPQR) as well as all the
slaves in Rome. Since there were 9,000 praetorians at any given time, the report of Paul’s
imprisonment and his Christian religion would have spread quickly throughout Rome. So what
appeared to be great misfortune for Paul according to human viewpoint was actually a great
opportunity (according to divine viewpoint) for thousands of pagan unbelievers to hear about
Christianity.
REVELANT OPINIONS
Paul was under "house arrest" for teaching the Gospel, not for any subversive activity or criminal
conduct. He was a distinguished Roman citizen exercising his prerogative to have his case heard by
the emperor. (F.F. Bruce) “En Christo” indicates not simply that Paul’s imprisonment is for Christ’s
sake – and therefore he is not a political or civil wrongdoer; rather, it is part of his sharing in Christ’s
sufferings ... Assuming that the guard was at Rome, they would be brought into contact with Paul
through their supervisory duties. (P. O’Brien) Imagine the scene for the exercise of Paul’s influence
on the praetorians. Sometimes it would be a case where ignorant and ribald blasphemies would have
to be met in the power of the peace of God. Perhaps the man would attack Paul with ridicule, or with
enquiries, after some long day of religious debate, such as that recorded in Acts 28, and the silent
night would see Paul laboring on to win this soul also. (H. Moule)
Refusing the way of self-pity, Paul does not describe the effect of the bonds upon himself but their
effect upon others. (J. Motyer) Can you imagine your congregation chained to you? My guess is that
some of them (praetorians) were happy to see their relief guard come. Many of them did come to
know Christ. The gospel penetrated Caesar’s household. Later Tertullian wrote that the Roman
government became disturbed when it was discovered that Christians were in positions of authority.
This is the first evidence Paul gave that his imprisonment had not hindered the furtherance of the
gospel, but that it had enabled him to bring the gospel right into Caesar’s household. (J. McGee)
The fact was published far and wide that Paul’s imprisonment was connected with no crime or
criminal charge but with “Christ,” and the effect of this was the greater daring with which so many
brethren told everybody the Word of God. Never had such a case come before the imperial court.
Never had such a defense and confirmation of the truth been heard by its judge. The divine gospel