![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/scan0018-12-300x288.jpg\")
Paul Arrives in Rome in Chains Acts 28:15-16<\/p><\/div>\n
Paul wrote the book of Philippians while in prison. His trial had probably already taken place, and he seemed to be waiting for the verdict. It appears he expected to be released but was uncertain about it. Paul, no doubt, did not enjoy being imprisoned.\u00a0\u00a0 Nevertheless, it is interesting to note his attitude in Philippians 1:12. Here he said, \u201cNow I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel<\/em>.\u201d (NASB)<\/p>\n One would think that Paul\u2019s imprisonment would have hindered the gospel. Instead, it did the opposite; it caused the \u201cfurtherance\u201d (NKJV) of the gospel. How did this happen? How did bad turn into good? Paul gives us an answer in the text.<\/p>\n First, in Phillippians 1:13, he said, \u201cSo that my bonds in Christ are manifest<\/em> (\u2018become well known,\u2019 NASB) in all the palace, and in all other places<\/em>.\u201d Paul\u2019s imprisonment had given him the chance to preach the gospel in Rome. It had given the gospel publicity during his trial that it would not otherwise have gotten.<\/p>\n Paul always seemed to make the best of whatever circumstance he found himself in.\u00a0\u00a0 (Consider his attitude on another occasion when he was unjustly arrested. Acts 16:23-40). What happened to Paul was very bad. An event like this would cause most people to want to \u201cgive up,\u201d especially if, like Paul, their tribulation was for doing right instead of doing wrong. However, Paul made the best of this unfortunate situation. He saw it as a chance to preach the gospel in other places.<\/p>\n Today, we must learn to make the best out of adversity. We must use hardships for whatever good we can. The problem may be sickness, persecution, or loss of loved ones. Whatever difficulty exists, we can always gain from it. Also, like Paul, we should take advantage of all kinds of situations and teach others. Who would have thought Paul could have turned his difficult situation into an opportunity to teach others?<\/p>\n The second reason Paul gave to indicate how his imprisonment had helped further the gospel is in Philippians 1:14. This verse says, \u201cand most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.<\/em>\u201d Paul\u2019s courage inspired others to proclaim God\u2019s Word boldly. You might say Paul\u2019s good traits \u201crubbed off\u201d on others. Courage is sometimes contagious. Often one person standing up in a complacent world and doing what is right can inspire many others to do right. People often want to do what is right, but they need a leader to get them started. Paul was such a person\u2014we can also be. However, it takes courage to do this, and sometimes a person must stand alone. All of us have more influence on others, for good or bad, than we realize.<\/p>\n Many bad things happen to us. However, the Christian can use tribulation to his advantage. Romans 5:3 tells us tribulation (generally looked upon as bad) produces patience (which we need). Difficulties can be a stumbling block or a stepping stone. It is up to us to turn adversity into an advantage. Paul\u2019s outlook in Rome helps us to see this.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Mike Johnson Text: Philippians 1:12-14 Paul wrote the book of Philippians while in prison. His trial had probably already taken place, and he seemed to be waiting for the verdict. It appears he expected to be released but was uncertain about it. Paul, no doubt, did not enjoy being imprisoned.\u00a0\u00a0 Nevertheless, it is interesting…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[1126,118,182,188],"class_list":["post-17550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-courage","tag-paul","tag-suffering","tag-trials"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46432,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/making-the-best-of-bad-situations\/","url_meta":{"origin":17550,"position":0},"title":"Making the Best of Bad Situations","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 18, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 1:12-18 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As much as we might wish it otherwise, we aren\u2019t often in control \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Things aren't always optimal \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Things don\u2019t always go our way II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Better than you might think \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Philippians had hear of Paul\u2019s imprisonment - Philippians 4:14 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Such would normally be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":37727,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-greater-progress-of-the-gospel\/","url_meta":{"origin":17550,"position":1},"title":"The Greater Progress of the Gospel","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 8, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Doy Moyer One of the highlights of Paul's attitude is that he was always more concerned for the spread of the gospel than for his own personal agenda or safety. He was willing to die for the Lord if it meant that the gospel would be proclaimed and more\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Paul-in-Prison-300x207.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20251,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/preaching-like-paul\/","url_meta":{"origin":17550,"position":2},"title":"Preaching Like Paul","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 21, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"by Bobby Witherington via\u00a0Guardian of Truth\u00a0XXXVI: 3, pp. 80-82, February 6, 1992 There are many books that deal with preaching. Some are excellent. Some are not worth the paper and ink they require. Some are downright dangerous. But there is one book that not only reveals the value of preaching;\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/scan0013-13-300x235.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":47287,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/people-are-just-like-me\/","url_meta":{"origin":17550,"position":3},"title":"People Are Just Like Me","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Doy Moyer People often assume that others will act, react, and operate on the same basis that they do. If some are liars, they will assume the same of everyone else. If they operate \"in the shadows,\" they will assume the same of others. If they are the envious\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":95290,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/euodia-and-syntyche\/","url_meta":{"origin":17550,"position":4},"title":"Euodia and Syntyche","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Edwin Crozier In one little paragraph, we find the rubber hitting the road for Paul's letter to the Philippians: \"I entreat Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":25399,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/paying-uninspired-gospel-preachers\/","url_meta":{"origin":17550,"position":5},"title":"Paying Uninspired Gospel Preachers","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 27, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry W. Benton In discussing the right and expectation preachers ought to have for adequate financial support, I appealed to Paul's statements in I Corinthians 9:4-14 for the proof of that rightful expectation. A man of the house-church persuasion responded, and I think the exchange hits on some very\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17550"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17550\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Gospel Spread<\/h2>\n
The Influence of Paul<\/h2>\n
Summation<\/h2>\n