Chapter 1: Verses 7–14

It is right for me to feel like this about you, because you mean a great deal to me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense of the Gospel. God knows how I long to see you, my friends in the Lord. My prayer is that you continue to grow toward that maturity which is possible in the Spirit, that you will be found pure and blameless when Jesus comes back to us again.

I want you to know that my imprisonment is being used by the Lord to promote the Gospel. My presence here is known throughout the Praetorian Guard and the rest of them to be for Jesus. Many of the brothers and sisters have become more confident in the Lord and are speaking out more boldly without fear.

This is all personal encouragement to his friends and loved ones back in Macedonia. It shows us a lot about the relationship he had with his friends back there.

Verses 15–16

Of course, some are bold to get me in trouble, but many out of love for me because I am here because of defending the Gospel.

As usual, Paul is given discernment about the motives and intentions of the heart of the believers in Rome. At least our assumption is that he is talking about his 2-year imprisonment in Rome. As the apostle with the vision, Paul is concerned about how his imprisonment affects the work.

Verse 1:16–17

The ones doing it to get me in trouble don’t really bother me. All that matters is that Jesus the Messiah is proclaimed. For that I rejoice.

Paul shows us his heart—what really matters to him. What happens to his flesh is of no real concern. All that matters is that the task for which he was called and sent out is fulfilled.

Again I use the phrase Jesus the Messiah in place of Christ because so many people think that Christ is part of His name and not His calling.

Verses 19-20

For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit, this will turn out in my deliverance. It is my assumption and hope that I will not be ashamed, but that by maintaining courage now Jesus the Messiah will be honored in my flesh whether I live or go to be with Him forever.

This is one of Paul’s marvelous statements of faith. We can see that the jail time is not a bed of roses, but that Paul does not care. His concern is that he be a cause for honoring Jesus.

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