Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 1:7

"even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace." — Philippians 1:7 (ASV)

Paul was right in regarding the Philippians so highly, because in a sense they had become partners in his imprisonment and his current legal obligations. To say they were in his “heart” (GK 2840) denotes not an emotional response on his part, but the essence of his inner consciousness and personality.

The reference to Paul’s imprisonment belongs with the following rather than the preceding words, as giving evidence of the Philippians’ partnership in God’s grace. Even when it might have been dangerous to identify themselves openly with Paul, they had treated his misfortunes as their own and had come to his assistance with their gifts. “Defending and confirming the gospel” is legal terminology. “Defending” (GK 665) is used elsewhere in the NT of a legal defense (Acts 22:1; Acts 25:16; 2 Timothy 1:16), and “confirming” (GK 1012) was a legal technical term (Hebrews 6:16) for guaranteeing or furnishing security. So Paul is probably thinking of his approaching hearing in which he must give a defense of the Gospel he preached and in which he hoped also to offer clear proofs of its truth and validity. In Paul’s view, all Christians were on trial with him, for the outcome could ultimately affect them all. The Philippians’ assistance by their warm fellowship was a clear reminder that they felt the same way.