Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

“I want you to know” typically introduces an important assertion and may imply that misunderstanding has arisen over a matter. In this instance, the significance of Paul’s immediate situation was the important matter. On the assumption that the letter was written from a Roman imprisonment, Paul is saying that his recent circumstances had not been detrimental but advantageous to the Gospel. This event does not seem to refer to his imprisonment as such, about which the Philippians had been informed, but to more recent developments. Perhaps Paul had been moved from his hired house (Acts 28:30) to some place more accessible to the trial scene. This could easily have been interpreted as bad news, but it had “really served to advance the gospel.” Paul does not imply that his case had been settled, nor that any official action favoring Christianity had been taken. Nevertheless, his immediate circumstances should be viewed as a plus for the Gospel.