Encouraging The Brothers To Speak The Word Of God Without Fear
ENCOURAGING THE BROTHERS
TO SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD
WITHOUT FEAR
In Philippians 1:14 Paul goes on to say, "And most of the brothers being confident in the Lord in my bonds are more exceedingly daring to speak the word of God without fear." Far from being a discouragement, Paul's imprisonment was an en couragement, an encouragement to the brothers to speak the word of God without fear.
STRENGTHENING THE BROTHERS
TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST
Paul's suffering for the gospel also strengthened the brothers to suffer for Christ (Phil. 1:28-30). In 1:28 he charges us not to be frightened in any thing by the opposers. He says that this would be proof to them of destruction, but of our salva tion. Destruction here refers to the destruction of all the opposers are and do, whereas salvation denotes the salvation of all we are and do. Paul's strong example of suffering for Christ strength ened the brothers and made them willing to suf fer for Him in carrying out God's economy on earth.
In 1:29 Paul says, "Because to you it has been given on behalf of Christ not only to believe in