Our circumstances ebb and flow between easy and difficult.
Some circumstances arise from choices we make. But sometimes the circumstances we’re experiencing come from choices others make.
Regardless of our circumstances, we always have a choice regarding our attitude.
We can be miserable curmudgeons when things go poorly.
Or we can be exuberant when things go well.
What is striking, though, is when we or others find ourselves in challenging circumstances, yet still experience peace and joy.
How is this possible?
The Apostle Paul has valuable insight to share on how this is possible in Philippians 1:12-21.
Seeing Opportunities in Our Circumstances
A Study on Philippians 1:12-21 | The Passage Questions
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.[1]
Who is speaking here? (See Philippians 1:1)
Where is Paul currently?
Why is Paul there?
What has happened because of this?
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. [2]
Why are other believers speaking more boldly?
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. [3]
What are the two different motives for preaching Christ listed above?
Why would preaching Christ harm Paul’s circumstances?
How can preaching Christ help Paul’s circumstances?
What is Paul most focused on, regardless of the motives of those who preach Christ?
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.[4]
What two things cause Paul to rejoice?
How did Paul expect to honor Christ in this circumstance?
Using this passage, explain Paul’s statement: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
How did Paul’s attitude help him see the opportunities in his circumstances?
Seeing Opportunities in Our Circumstances
A Study on Philippians 1:12-21 | Personal Application Questions
Describe a difficult circumstance you are experiencing or have experienced in the past.
How did (or does) your attitude impact your view of the difficult circumstances?
Having reflected on Paul’s situation, what opportunities for sharing Christ exist (or existed) in your own difficult circumstances?
Are you able to claim the same statement: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain?” Why or why not?
Review the prayer Paul shared for the Philippians:
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. [5]
How does this prayer enable Paul, the Philippians, and believers today to see opportunities in whatever circumstances we face?
What attitudes or habits hinder your witness of Christ to others?
How has this study encouraged you in your faith in Christ’s power to enable you to see opportunities in your circumstances?
Seeing Opportunities in Our Circumstances
A Study on Philippians 1:12-21 | A Prayer Response
Thank you, heavenly Father, for the words of encouragement found in 1 Philippians 1:12-21 from Paul. How amazing it is to understand he viewed his imprisonment as exactly the right circumstances for furthering the mission of sharing Christ that you appointed him to carry.
Thank you for the historical information that lets us know Paul was chained to guards who rotated shifts. This precise arrangement made it possible for Paul to have a conversation with, in his words, the whole imperial guard. Wow, Lord! A difficult situation that Paul saw as an opportunity to share his faith in Christ.
Thank you also for Paul’s example of not being concerned about the motives of different people who started speaking more boldly because of his situation. Instead, he rejoiced that Christ was preached, regardless of the motive. May we learn to rejoice similarly.
Encourage us with your Holy Spirit and the prayers of our fellow believers so that we too will rejoice in the deliverance only you can provide. Help us trust and live out Paul’s statement, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Amen.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. [6]
How do these words from Jesus align with today’s study of Philippians 1:12-21?
Take some time to write your own prayer of gratitude.
What praise for Christ do you have to share with others?
Leave something in the comments section to encourage other readers.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Php 1:12–13.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Php 1:14.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Php 1:15–18.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Php 1:18–21.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Php 1:8–11.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 12:24–26.