Why is Paul in Chains?

Paul is in a precarious position when he writes this letter with Timothy. Paul is wearing chains. It’s not as a fashion statement.

Paul is under arrest, probably house arrest, as he waits to hear the Roman emperor’s verdict on whether he would live or die. You can read all about how Paul landed in chains in Rome in the NT book of Acts chapters 21-28.

Years earlier he was arrested in Jersualem. The Romans intervened after the opponents to the gospel attacked Paul in the temple in Jerusalem. They were so violent the Roman centurion thought Paul would get pulled apart.

Paul had a trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, the same Jewish court who condemned Jesus. Paul’s colleagues when Paul arrested and condemned Jesus’ disciples.

Once the centurion heard Paul was a Roman citizen and learned of a plot to murder him, Paul was taken on horseback to Caesarea by night, guarded by 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen. Once safely in Caesarea Paul faced a trial before Governor Felix.

For 2 years Paul waited in prison for Felix’s decision, but the governor hoped Paul or his supporters would offer a bribe. He waited too long and was transferred out. Festus was appointed governor. He also conducted tried Paul. When Festus proposed sending Paul back to the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, Paul exercised his rights as a Roman: he demanded a trial before Ceasar.

It was an eventful voyage across the Mediterranean: snake bites, storms and shipwrecks. Finally, Paul arrived in Rome and had his day in court. After years of living in various prisons and wearing manacles and chains, Paul is waiting for the final verdict when he writes this letter.

Listen to Paul’s statement to his brothers & sisters in the faith. Listen to his vulnerability, his worry if he will show courage:

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20–21 (NIV)

That’s raw and honest, like the stuff you find in the psalms. Yet by God’s grace Paul’s faith remains strong.         

It’s a perspective Paul models for Christians in Philippi. Paul is in chains under guard. He’s waiting to see if he will live or die.

Paul is honest with the church in Philippi because they’ve been cheering for Paul, praying for Paul, and showing their love and concern for Paul every step of the way. Paul calls them “partners in the gospel” The church in Philippi was concerned enough to send a care package with Epaphroditus.

So as Paul and Timothy pen this thank-you note, they also unpack their understanding of God’s blessing and purpose in the current situation. Yes, Paul is in chains, but God’s word is not chained. In fact, as Luke describes Paul’s situation in Rome in the last sentences of the book of Acts, Paul is preaching the gospel without hindrance!

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:30–31 (NIV)

Luke’s report in Acts fits with Paul’s positive perspective in the letter to the Christians in Philippi. Listen to how Paul puts it:

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. … it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Philippians 1:12–13 (NIV)

And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Philippians 1:14 (NIV)

By God’s grace, Paul sees the silver lining of the situation, unpleasant though it is to be chained up, waiting for the emperor’s ruling on whether he would live or die.

Paul rejoices that the palace guard and everyone else knows he’s in chains for Christ. He takes satisfaction in the fact that his chains make others more confident in the Lord and brave in sharing the gospel.

Even the fact that some envious people are preaching Christ out of rivalry and selfish ambition doesn’t discourage Paul:

What does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Philippians 1:18a (NIV)

Paul’s goal in life, his burning desire, is to see people respond to the gospel. His own circumstances aren’t important compared to people hearing the gospel and becoming citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Paul has a relentless drive to proclaim the gospel. Ever since the Holy Spirit convinced him of the truth of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, Paul has been telling Jesus’ story all around the world. You hear some of Paul’s gospel-telling in Phil. 3.

Paul was trained as a Pharisee. He had a reputation as a Bible scholar and for working hard to obey God’s law. It’s why he collaborated with the Sanhedrin to prosecute Christians. When Paul learned the gospel of Jesus, he realized his own good works weren’t enough.

Sin

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

Salvation

I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Service

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Philippians 3:7–10 (NIV)

That’s the heart of the gospel that Paul proclaimed in Philippi.

Fresh from a journey across the Aegean Sea, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke arrived in Philippi. On the Sabbath, they headed down to the river where they expected to find Jewish people gathered for prayer. As a visiting Bible scholar, Paul was invited to preach. He used the opportunity to demonstrate that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah and Rescuer of sinful people. Paul told them about Jesus’ victory over sin and death so that by faith we can have life with Jesus and for Jesus.

Some of those at the river believed the gospel.

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. Acts 16:14–15a (NIV)

It’s the beginning of the church in Philippi. Lydia is among the first Christians in Europe!

This letter to the Christians in Philippi is a Thank You for their help. It’s also a letter of encouragement. Life as a disciple of Jesus is not easy because the life of faith is still a battle. Not all human authorities or spiritual powers have proclaimed their allegiance to Jesus and the Kingdom of God. There is resistance to the gospel and push-back as you try to live out your faith.

Listen to this paragraph. It’s a long quote from Paul’s letter, but we need to read the whole thing because we too will face challenges and opposition in our journey of faith.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:27–30 (NIV)

Over the last 8½ years as your pastor, I’ve talked to some of you in similar situations. No, nobody has been in chains for preaching the gospel. But as individuals and a congregation we’ve faced some big questions, life or death situations, and times when your faith is on the line. Worries about courage …

Mature Christians recognize the importance of these “Pivotal Moments:” Events in our lives that test our faith:

facing pushback for expressing your faith,

facing the reality of your own death,

even betrayal by people you once trusted.

All these are part of Paul’s story. All reasons why Paul is in chains. Events like this could derail a person’s faith.

Sometimes it takes a mentor or friend who is mature in faith to give you a healthy perspective on tough stuff. Let me say from my own experience: facing tough situations in the past doesn’t mean you always see the goodness of God’s plan in the moment, esp. through pain or sadness.

But, with the proper perspective and reminders of God’s covenant faithfulness – his closeness and his unfailing love for you – negative experiences can reinforce your faith in Jesus as your Saviour and in God’s compassion and care for you.

Not everyone in Philippi was arrested or faced as many trials as Paul. It’s not likely that you will be arrested for your faith either. But the encouragement is the same:

Conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Strive together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened by those who oppose you.

It has been granted to you … not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.