1:12 弟兄們，我願意你們知道，我所遭遇的事更是叫福音興旺，
1:13 以致我受的捆鎖在御營全軍和其餘的人中，已經顯明是為基督的緣故。
1:14 並且那在主裡的弟兄多半因我受的捆鎖就篤信不疑，越發放膽傳上帝的道，無所懼怕。
1:15 有的傳基督是出於嫉妒紛爭，也有的是出於好意。
1:16 這一等是出於愛心，知道我是為辯明福音設立的；
1:17 那一等傳基督是出於結黨，並不誠實，意思要加增我捆鎖的苦楚。
1:18 這有何妨呢？或是假意，或是真心，無論怎樣，基督究竟被傳開了。為此，我就歡喜，並且還要歡喜；
1:19 因為我知道，這事藉著你們的祈禱和耶穌基督之靈的幫助，終必叫我得救。
1:20 照著我所切慕、所盼望的，沒有一事叫我羞愧。只要凡事放膽，無論是生是死，總叫基督在我身上照常顯大。
1:21 因我活著就是基督，我死了就有益處。
1:22 但我在肉身活著，若成就我工夫的果子，我就不知道該挑選甚麼。
1:23 我正在兩難之間，情願離世與基督同在，因為這是好得無比的。
1:24 然而，我在肉身活著，為你們更是要緊的。
1:25 我既然這樣深信，就知道仍要住在世間，且與你們眾人同住，使你們在所信的道上又長進又喜樂，
1:26 叫你們在基督耶穌裡的歡樂，因我再到你們那裡去，就越發加增。
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 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.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But 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.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20 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. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
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保羅寫這封信是在監獄之中，讓我們感受到他為福音付出的代價。而保羅入監是世界之人處事的方法，他們總是利用權勢來壓迫人，好達成他們控制人的目的。正如我們今日也會遇到這樣的壓迫，通常世界的力量會用經濟和性命安全做為控制的手段。
然而上帝會保守祂的兒女十分平安，不受世界的力量所影響。正如保羅在這裡所見證的：「弟兄們，我願意你們知道，我所遭遇的事更是叫福音興旺，以致我受的捆鎖在御營全軍和其餘的人中，已經顯明是為基督的緣故。並且那在主裡的弟兄多半因我受的捆鎖就篤信不疑，越發放膽傳上帝的道，無所懼怕。」
保羅這樣說的目的，就是要我們看見魔鬼利用世界權勢的力量來壓迫我們是無效的，反而讓主的福音更廣傳。這更是見證基督的大能，必定勝過魔鬼和世界，我們要靠主堅立，不要害怕惡者的力量，主必永遠得勝！
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