Ministry as a Prisoner

1:12 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,17 that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel:18 1:13 The19 whole imperial guard20 and everyone else knows21 that I am in prison22 for the sake of Christ, 1:14 and most of the brothers and sisters,23 having confidence in the Lord24 because of my imprisonment, now more than ever25 dare to speak the word26 fearlessly.

1:15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 1:16 The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. 1:17 The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.27 1:18 What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

Yes,28 and I will continue to rejoice, 1:19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance29 through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 1:20 My confident hope30 is that I will in no way be ashamed31 but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die.32 1:21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 1:22 Now if I am to go on living in the body,33 this will mean productive work34 for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer:35 1:23 I feel torn between the two,36 because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, 1:24 but it is more vital for your sake that I remain37 in the body.38 1:25 And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress39 and joy in the faith,40 1:26 so that what you can be proud of may increase41 because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you.42

1:27 Only conduct yourselves43 in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that—whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent—I should hear that44 you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,45 1:28 and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is46 a sign of their47 destruction, but of your salvation—a sign which48 is from God. 1:29 For it has been granted to you49 not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, 1:30 since you are encountering50 the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.51