10/17/2026
BE BOLD, BE BIBLICAL, BE BRAVE
Paul's Chains and the Church's Courage
Philippians 1:12-26
INTRODUCTION:
I have found out that in life every one of us will have a chapter in our story that we did not write and would not have chosen if it were possible. Paul sits in a Roman prison in chains waiting on a verdict from Nero, and he does not write a letter of complaint. Instead, he writes a letter of joy. That shows me there was something deep down in the heart of Paul that was stronger than his emotions, stronger than his flesh, stronger than any carnal thoughts or reasoning. We should all look at Paul’s circumstances and his reactions and pray to God that we can be this kind of Christian at least a little bit.
The secret is not Paul's circumstances, but it’s in Paul's center. In these verses he pulls back the curtain and shows us how a man responds when the doors are locked and the pressure is on. He is bold when the world expects silence, he is biblical when others are playing games with the gospel, and he is brave when death itself is on the table. Do you know how we get to where Paul was in his heart, soul, and mind? It takes Christ-lifting preaching that drives us hearers back to the solid rock foundation, and that solid rock foundation (which is Christ Jesus by the way) will show itself when the storm hits. Paul passed that test. What are we doing now to prepare for that kind of test? Remember, we all will be given a test one day that will test us as Christian people if we are saved! We don’t get to choose the test. What we get to choose is to prepare for whatever the test may be by getting into the solid rock foundation of the Bible well before the test comes. Will you be prepared for the test and pass it?
ILLUSTRATION: I remember one of my first classes in college was a history class. The professor was also the dean of the school, and his class was difficult. You really had to study if you passed his test. All the main tests came from simply taking notes from his lectures. I recorded them and took notes. I listen to them again and made sure I wrote all of it down correctly. I would have 20 to 35 pages of notes to study before each test. I did not just read over them; I memorized them word for word.
In addition we were required to have a reader. It had short stories that were 15 to 20 pages long. We had one to read each week and to take a pop quiz on each week - just 10 questions on anything within that 20 page story. I didn’t just read it, I took notes on it and memorized the notes.
I distinctly remember one pop quiz in which the professor asked a simple question - Who is the author of this week’s short story? No one knew the answer. You could see the reactions of frustration across the room and people trying their best to remember. One lady even spoke up and said, “You didn’t tell us this could be one of the questions.”
The dean said, “Anything within the pages I tell you to read could be a question.”
I was the one person who had written the authors name in my notes and memorized it. I came out of that class with an A+ because I paid attention and studied well before the the test ever came. The class before the final exam the professor told me during our break something I never forgot. He said, “Unless you really bomb on the final, which I don’t expect, you will pass my class with one of the strongest A grades that has ever come out of my class. Most people don’t ever make an A in my class. What is it that you have done differently to make straight A grades on every test I have given?”
I said, “It’s simple. I write down everything you say and everything you tell me to read and then I memorize it. When you give me the test, I simply remember what you said and respond by writing down exactly what you said.”
My friends, if you will study the Bible and really commit it to your heart and life, you will be able to pass the test no matter what the test may be. This is why Paul did so well through every test he took! Now look in your Bible and let this prisoner preach to the free.
Philippians 1:12-14
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Chains Cannot Choke the Gospel. (V-12) Paul opens with a correction for anxious saints. The Philippians assumed prison meant defeat. Paul says it has fallen out "rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." Blue Letter Bible shows that the word "furtherance," prokopē, pictures a pioneer cutting a path through a forest so the army can follow. The chains did not close the road; it cleared it.
(V-13) It is noted that "the palace" is the praetorian guard, Caesar's own elite soldiers, and every few hours a new soldier was chained to Paul. Paul had a captive audience, quite literally. Rome could chain the preacher, but it could not chain the Word of God!
I believe that Paul cared more for the success of the gospel than for his own comfort, and that is why he saw providence where others saw tragedy.
Now watch verse 14. Paul's boldness was contagious. The brethren, "waxing confident by my bonds," became "much more bold to speak the word without fear." The Greek for bold is tolmaō; it means to dare. One Christian man's courage gave courage to the whole pew. This reminds me that the Cross is a symbol of the power of God and not a defeat, and Paul lived it: a cross-shaped life makes even its suffering serve the gospel.
Paul was bold in prison, and Paul's brethren caught that same fire. So the first lesson is this: Be Bold. Your hardest season may be your widest open door. You do not need a platform, only a witness. Do not waste the chains that you might find yourself in one day.
Philippians 1:15-18
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Christ-Centered Content Counts. Now Paul meets a hard truth. Some preached Christ "even of envy and strife," hoping to add affliction to his bonds. They saw Paul sidelined and thought, here is our chance to take the spotlight. Others preached "of good will" and "of love," knowing Paul was "set for the defence of the gospel." That word "set" means appointed, like a soldier posted at his station. Paul is not in prison by accident; he is on duty.
Let me remind you that any preaching done with a heart of envy and contention is sin; this could have hurt Paul’s feelings and disheartened him greatly. Instead, Paul will not let his personal wounds decide his joy.
Verse 18 is the pivot: "What then?" Paul rejoices that Christ is preached. Let me be careful here. Paul is not saying motives do not matter or that error does not matter. In Galatians he thunders against “another gospel.” What he celebrates is that the true Christ, the true gospel, is being proclaimed. You have to understand that the content of those preacher’s message was biblical even though their motives was broken.
It is very important that every message is anchored in the Word and lifts up Jesus, and that is the standard: it must be about the Christ of the Book and never a Christ of our own making. Be Biblical. Do not trade the message for the messenger. Follow the message - not the messenger! If the Word is going out and Jesus is being lifted, we rejoice, and then we examine our own hearts so that when we preach through the lives we live before others, we preach "of love" and not of competition. Pride always makes a poor pulpit.
Philippians 1:19-21
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Magnified Through Mortality. (V-19) Paul knows this will "turn to my salvation," meaning deliverance and, in the end, vindication, "through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." Notice the partnership once again: the prayers of God's people and the supply of the Spirit. Listen, your prayers matter to your pastor and to the whole body, and Paul asks for them.
Verse 20 gives us his heart. Look at this "earnest expectation," paints the picture of a stretched-neck watching, a man driving himself toward the finish line. His hope is not release from prison but that "in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness... Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death."
The word “Magnified,” megalunō, means to make great. Paul does not need Christ to be made great by Paul's survival; Christ was already great and still is! He is saying either outcome will do. No matter what Paul is content that everything is going to be alright.
(V-21) Then comes the sentence that outlived Nero: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Christ is the author, the object, and the end of life. If Christ is your life, death is not a loss; it is a promotion. This verse reminds us to be Brave. A man who has already died to himself fears no sentence.
Philippians 1:22-26
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
Hemmed In Between Heaven and Home. Now the preacher faces the hardest choice of his life, and he cannot make it. "I am in a strait betwixt two." Strait means that he feels like he is in a spot where he is gripped on both sides, like a man on a narrow bridge pulled two directions. On one side is "a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better." Depart is the word for loosing a ship from its moorings or striking a tent to break camp. Paul is not afraid of death; he is packed and ready to sail.
On the other side, "to abide in the flesh is more needful for you."
Here we see Paul’s true bravery: not recklessness, not a death wish, but a heart so surrendered that he stays in the fight because the saints need him. I believe that a good man is willing to live as long as God has work for him and willing to die when God calls. That is how a believer holds his life: with an open hand.
Paul's confidence in verses 25 and 26 is that he will continue with them "for your furtherance and joy of faith," that their rejoicing "may be more abundant in Jesus Christ." Notice the church again. His ministry is for their joy. Our personal walk with Christ and our life together in the body are not rivals; Paul lives for both. This is truly the way a Christian ought to live. This is the attitude to have - I’m ready to go, and at the same time I’m willing to stay.
Could we pass this test during our trials to be Bold, be Biblical, and be Brave?
CLOSE
Paul was chained to a soldier, surrounded by rivals, and facing a possible death sentence, and he was the freest man in Rome. Why? Because to him to live was Christ. Is Christ your life, or only a part of it? Some of you are in chains right now, or love someone who is in a prison: a diagnosis, a broken home, a closed door, anger over someone who did you or them wrong. Could it be that God wants to use it?
Here is what hit me as I studied Paul. He had regrets. He regretted consenting to Stephen's death and sending believers to prison. But there were things Paul never regretted: his walk with Christ, his boldness, his biblical stand, and his bravery for Jesus. Imagine if Paul had stayed Saul. Imagine standing before God regretting your whole life. That is no way to live and no way to die.
Some of you have been silent when you should have spoken, ashamed when you should have been bold. Some of you cannot say "to die is gain" because you are not sure where you would land. Today is the day.
Every one of us has regrets, but let us not stand before God regretting our whole life. Come today and be bold. Come and lay your chains at the feet of Jesus and trust Him to make them a pathway for the gospel. Come and settle it that you will be biblical and brave for Christ, until you can say with Paul, "For to me to live is Christ."
