Charles Ellicott Commentary Philippians 1:12

"Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel;" — Philippians 1:12 (ASV)

The things which happened unto me—namely, since he parted from them ()—his arrest at Jerusalem, and the long captivity of years, first at Caesarea, then at Rome.

Nothing could have appeared to be a more fatal blow to the progress of the gospel; but St. Paul assures them that “rather” (that is, on the contrary) all these things tended to its furtherance. He had intended to see Rome (Acts 19:21; Romans 15:23–24), since his work in Greece and Asia was now over. He did visit it, although in chains; and his acquaintance with the Roman soldiers at Caesarea probably prepared for him an opening at Rome, which he could not otherwise have found, even into Caesar’s household.