Philippians 1:14, commentary and pictures

Philippians 1:14 means that Paul's imprisonment gave many of the brethren confidence in the Lord to speak the word with much more boldness and without fear. The boldness came from the spirit he showed in long and unjust suffering: his patience and meekness, his cheerfulness under affliction unlike that of the world, and his courage and faith were a continual sermon that convinced observing minds that he had unwavering faith in the doctrines he advocated and that a higher power was abiding with him. It was not by his sermons but by his captivity that attention was drawn to Christianity, and his bonds themselves were the means of success that helped advance the gospel.

Even as a captive he conquered rulers and freed souls from slavery to sin, winning converts to the faith from Nero's household and gathering sheaves for Christ from fields from which he seemed wholly excluded at the time when his power and usefulness seemed cut off and he could do the least. By that example other Christians were impelled to greater energy, fidelity, and zeal as advocates of the cause, pushing forward the work from which Paul was withdrawn and feeling they would not be losers in becoming advocates of truth.

Though apparently cut off from active labor and travel among the churches, his imprisonment in Rome gave him a wider and more lasting influence than freedom would have allowed, for as a prisoner for Christ he had a firmer hold on the affections of his brethren and his words written under bonds commanded greater attention and respect than when he was personally present. Only after he was removed did believers realize how heavy were the burdens he had borne for them; when they first learned their beloved teacher was made a prisoner they mourned and would not be comforted, and feeling they would never again benefit from his labors, they stopped excusing themselves from responsibility and burden-bearing for lack of his wisdom, tact, and indomitable energy, and, left in inexperience to learn the lessons they had shunned, they prized his warnings, counsels, and instructions as they had not prized his personal work.

The verse shows that what appears to hinder the work can help advance God's purposes, for affliction may strengthen Christian witness and a Christian may sometimes serve the Master more through suffering than through active work.