Philippians 1:13
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
my bonds in Christ--rather as Greek, "So that my bonds have become manifest in Christ," that is, known, as endured in Christ's cause. palace--literally, "PrÃ&brvbrtorium," that is, the barrack of the PrÃ&brvbrtorian guards attached to the palace of Nero, on the Palatine hill at Rome; not the general PrÃ&brvbrtorian camp outside of the city; for this was not connected with "CÃ&brvbrsar's household," which Phi 4:22 shows the PrÃ&brvbrtorium here meant was. The emperor was "PrÃ&brvbrtor," or Commander-in-Chief; naturally then the barrack of his bodyguard was called the PrÃ&brvbrtorium. Paul seems now not to have been at large in his own hired house, though chained to a soldier, as in Act 28:16, Act 28:20, Act 28:30-31, but in strict custody in the PrÃ&brvbrtorium; a change which probably took place on Tigellinus becoming PrÃ&brvbrtorian Prefect. See Introduction. in all other places--so CHRYSOSTOM. Or else, "TO all the rest," that is, "manifest to all the other" PrÃ&brvbrtorian soldiers stationed elsewhere, through the instrumentality of the PrÃ&brvbrtorian household guards who might for the time be attached to the emperor's palace, and who relieved one another in succession. Paul had been now upwards of two years a prisoner, so that there was time for his cause and the Gospel having become widely known at Rome.
Open source ↗He begins with the inscription and benediction (Phi 1:1, Phi 1:2). He gives thanks for the saints at Philippi (Phi 1:3-6). He speaks of his great affection and concern for their spiritual welfare (Phi 1:7, Phi 1:8), his prayers for them (Phi 1:9-11), his care to prevent their offence at his sufferings (Phi 1:12-20), his readiness to glorify Christ by life or death (Phi 1:21-26), and then concludes with a double exhortation to strictness and constancy (Phi 1:27-30).
Open source ↗1:13 The whole palace guard were workers in the emperor’s or provincial governor’s official residence (see 4:22). • Paul was in prison because of Christ—that is, because of preaching the Good News of Christ (cp. Acts 21:26–28:31).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...
“Short time or long,” Paul replied, “I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.”
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.
for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
All the saints send you greetings, especially those from the household of Caesar.
On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.”
So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.