The furtherance of the Gospel: (1:12-30):
Paul’s desire was to preach the Gospel in Rome which is the hub of the great Empire. If Paul could conquer it for Christ, it would mean reaching millions with the message of salvation. It was critically important on Paul’s agenda, for he said, “After I have been there (Jerusalem) I must also see Rome” (Acts 19:21). From Corinth he wrote, “So, as much as in me is, I am eager to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also” (Rom. 1:15).
Paul wanted to go to Rome as a preacher, but instead he went as a prisoner. He could have written a long letter about that experience alone but simply said: “the things which happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (Phil 1:12). The record of these things is given in (Acts 21:17-28:31), and it begins with Paul’s illegal arrest in the temple in Jerusalem. The Jews thought he had desecrated their temple by bringing in Gentiles, and the Romans thought he was an Egyptian renegade who was on their “most wanted” list. Paul became the focal point of both political and religious plotting and remained as a prisoner in Caesarea for two years. When he finally appealed to Caesar (which was the privilege of every Roman citizen), he was sent to Rome. En route, the ship was wrecked! The account of that storm and Paul’s courage and faith is one of the most dramatic acts in the Bible (Acts 27). After three months of waiting on the Island of Malta, Paul finally embarked for Rome and the trial he had requested before Caesar.
To many, all of this would have looked Like failure, but for Paul he was only concerned with sharing Christ and the Gospel. Paul did not find his joy in ideal circumstances but he found his joy in winning others to Christ. And if his circumstances promoted the furtherance of the Gospel, that was all that mattered! The word furtherance means “pioneer advance.” It is a Greek military term referring to the army engineers who go before the troops to open the way into new territory. Instead of finding himself confined as a prisoner, Paul discovered that his circumstances really opened up new areas of ministry. Paul gives 3-areas which have helped the gospel to advance in new areas.
Paul’s chains advanced the gospel: (1:12-14):
The same God who used Moses’ rod, Gideon’s pitchers, and David’s sling, used Paul’s chains. Little did the Romans realize that the chains they affixed to his wrists would release Paul instead of bind him! He did not complain about his chains, instead he consecrated them to God and asked God to use them for the pioneer advance of the Gospel. And God answered his prayers.
To begin with, these chains gave Paul contact with the lost. He was chained to a Roman soldier twenty-four hours a day! The shifts changed every six hours, which meant Paul could witness to at least four men each day! Imagine yourself as one of those soldiers, chained to a man who prayed “without ceasing. It was not long before some of these soldiers put their faith in Christ. Paul was able to get the Gospel into the elite Praetorian Guard, something he could not have done had he been a free man.
But the chains gave Paul contact with another group of people: the officials in Caesar’s court. He was in Rome as an official prisoner, and his case was an important one. The Roman government was going to determine the official status of this new “Christian” sect. Paul was mightily pleased knowing that the court officials were forced to study the doctrines of the Christian faith!
Sometimes God has to put “chains” on His people to get them to accomplish a “pioneer advance” that could never happen any other way. Young mothers may feel chained to the home as they care for their children, but God can use those “chains” to reach people with the message of salvation.
Ex: Susannah Wesley was the mother of 19-children, before the days of labour-saving devices and disposable diapers! Out of that large family came John and Charles Wesley, whose combined ministries shook the British kingdom.
At six weeks of age, Fanny Crosby was blinded, but even as a youngster she determined not to be confined by the chains of darkness. In time, she became a mighty force for God through her hymns and Gospel songs.
The secret is this: when we have the single mind, we look on our circumstances as God-given opportunities for the furtherance of the Gospel; and we rejoice at what God is going to do instead of complaining about what God did not do.
Paul’s chains not only gave contact with the lost, but they also gave courage to the saved. Many of the believers in Rome took fresh courage when they saw Paul’s faith and determination (Phil. 1:14). They were “much more bold to speak the word without fear.” That word speak does not mean “preach.” Rather, it means “everyday conversation.” No doubt many of the Romans were discussing Paul’s case, because such legal matters were of primary concern to this nation of lawmakers. Because of Paul’s joyful attitude, the believers in Rome took fresh courage and witnessed boldly for Christ.
Our chains may not be as dramatic or difficult, but there is no reason why God cannot use them in the same way.