Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Philippians 1:13

Textus Receptus:
ωστε τους δεσμους μου φανερους εν χριστω γενεσθαι εν ολω τω πραιτωριω και τοις λοιποις πασιν

King James:
So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

Comments:
bonds...are manifest: The surrounding verses make this manifestation a positive one, in which God's good purpose for Paul's imprisonment has become obvious. It is a case of Romans 8:28 realized.

in all the palace: The word for palace is the same word for "Praetorium" in Mark 15:16. It is a headquarters--sometimes the tent of a commanding officer, sometimes a governor's residence and offices. It is interesting that God uses Paul's incarceration in a praetorium to cary forward the witness of Jesus, who suffered in a praetorium. 1 Peter 2:21.

in all other places: Paul also recognizes what every believer should acknowledge, that God is using his life in ways beyond his direct means and knowledge.

Paraphrase:
So that progress of the gospel has even become plainly apparent in my imprisonment. In fact, I am in bondage not so much to the Romans, as to my true Lord, Christ. Even while I am here, throughout the headquarters where I am kept and everywhere else people know that I am His servant.

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