Philippians 1 · Verse 12

Philippians 1:12

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Philippians 1:12, King James Version

Philippians 1:12 in other translations

BSBNow I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel.
WEBNow I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News,
ASVNow I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel;
YLTAnd I wish you to know, brethren, that the things concerning me, rather to an advancement of the good news have come,
DARBYBut I would have you know, brethren, that the circumstances in which I am have turned out rather to the furtherance of the glad tidings,
BBENow it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences;
WebsterBut I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel;

What does Philippians 1:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. understand--Greek, "know." The Philippians probably had feared that his imprisonment would hinder the spread of the Gospel; he therefore removes this fear. the things which happened unto me--Greek, "the things concerning me." rather--so far is my imprisonment from hindering the Gospel. Faith takes in a favorable light even what seems adverse [Bengel] (Php 1:19, 28; Php 2:17).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. But I would ye should understand. Paul here turns to himself, and goes into a somewhat extended account of his own feelings in his trials, and of the effects of his imprisonment at Rome. He wished them to understand what his circumstances were, and what had been the effect of his imprisonment, probably for such reasons as these:

(1.) They were tenderly attached to him, and would feel an interest in all that pertained to him.

(2.) It was possible that they might hear unfounded rumours about the manner of his treatment, and he wished that they should understand the exact truth.

(3.) He had real intelligence to communicate to them that would be joyful to them, about the effect of his imprisonment, and his treatment there; and he wished them to rejoice with him.

That the things which happened unto me. The accusations against him, and his imprisonment at Rome. He had been falsely accused, and had been constrained to appeal to Caesar, and had been taken to Rome as a prisoner, Acts chapters 15 thru 18. This arrest and imprisonment would seem to have been against his success as a preacher; but he now says that the contrary had been the fact.

Have fallen out. Have resulted in. Literally, "have come." Tindal. "My business is happened."

The furtherance. The increase, the promotion of the gospel. Instead of being a hinderance, they have been rather an advantage.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 That the things which happened unto me - St. Paul was at this time a prisoner at Rome, and it appears probable that he had already been called to make a defense for himself, and to vindicate the doctrines of the Gospel; and this he had been enabled to do in such a manner that the honor of the Gospel had been greatly promoted by it. As the Philippians loved him greatly, he felt it right to give them this information relative to his state, and how God had turned his bonds to the advantage of that cause on account of which he was bound.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 1:12-20
The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the offence of the cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed this best of men! The apostle was easy in the midst of all. Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice. Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of seeking for it. Our earnest expectation and hope should not be to be honoured of men, or to escape the cross, but to be upheld amidst temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ, which way he will make us serviceable to his glory, whether by labour or suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to his honour in working for him, or dying to his honour in suffering for him.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Philippians 1:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΓινώσκεινGinōskeinTo knowG1097
δὲdenowG1161
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
βούλομαι,boulomaiI want,G1014
ἀδελφοί,adelphoibrothers,G80
ὅτιhotithatG3754
τὰtathe [things]G3588
κατ᾽kat᾽concerningG2596
ἐμὲememe myselfG1473
μᾶλλονmallonreallyG3123
εἰςeistoG1519
προκοπὴνprokopēn[the] advancementG4297
τοῦtouof theG3588
εὐαγγελίουeuangeliougospelG2098
ἐλήλυθεν,elēluthenhave turned out,G2064

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 1:12

  • 2 Timothy 2:9

    Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

  • Romans 8:28

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

  • Acts 11:19-21

    Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

  • Romans 8:37

    Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

  • Acts 22:1-30

    Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. …

  • Acts 8:4

    Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

  • Esther 9:1

    Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)

  • Psalms 76:10

    Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

  • Acts 28:1-31

    And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. …

  • Acts 21:28-36

    Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. …

  • Exodus 18:11

    Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that.
Ac 21:28-36; 22:1-30; 28:1-31
rather.
Ex 18:11; Es 9:1; Ps 76:10; Ac 8:4; 11:19-21; Ro 8:28,37; 2Ti 2:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philippians 1:11

    Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

  • Philippians 1:12

    But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

  • Philippians 1:13

    So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

Read all of Philippians 1

Philippians 1:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y quiero, hermanos, que sepáis que las cosas que me han sucedido, han redundado más en provecho del evangelio;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or, frères, je veux que vous sachiez que les circonstances par lesquelles je passe sont plutôt arrivées pour l’avancement de l’évangile;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich will aber, daß ihr wisset, Brüder, daß meine Umstände mehr zur Förderung des Evangeliums geraten sind,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Scire autem vos volo fratres, quia quæ circa me sunt, magis ad profectum venerunt Evangelii: