Ver. 12. +Now I wish you to know, brethren, that my position and circumstances+ (_ta kat eme_, "_the things related to me_") +have come out+, have resulted, +rather for the progress of the Gospel+ message and enter- Ver. 13. prise, than otherwise; +so that my bonds+, my imprisonment, with its _custodia militaris_, +are become unmistakable+ (_phanerous_) as being +in Christ+; as due to no social or political crime, but to the name and cause of the Messiah of Israel, the Saviour of the world. This is the case in the +whole Praetorium+,[1] in all ranks of the Imperial Guard, +and among other people in general+ (_tois loipois pasi_[2]). And Ver. 14. another result is[3] +that the majority+ (_tous plaionas_) +of the brethren in the Lord+, the converts of the Roman mission, +feeling a new confidence in connexion with my bonds+,[4] animated by the fact of my imprisonment, realizing afresh the glory of the cause which makes me happy to suffer, +venture more abundantly+, more frequently, more openly, +fearlessly to speak the Word+, the message of Christ, of the Cross, of Truth, of Life. There is a drawback in this Ver. 15. welcome phenomenon: +some indeed actually+ (_kai_) +for envy and strife, while others as truly+ (_kai_) +for goodwill, are proclaiming the Christ+. The latter[5] Ver. 16. are at work thus +from+ motives of love, love to the Lord and to me His captive Messenger, +knowing+ that on purpose +for the vindication+ (_apologian_) +of the Gospel I am posted+ (_keimai_, as a soldier, fixed by his captain's order) here. The former from Ver. 17. motives of +faction+, partizanship (_eritheia_) in a self-interested propaganda of their own opinions, +are announcing the Christ, not purely, thinking+ and meaning +to raise up+ (_egeirein_, so read) +tribulation for+ me in +my bonds+; as so easily they can do, by detaching from me many converts who would otherwise gather round me, and generally by the mortifying thought of their freedom and activity in contrast to my enforced isolation. Shall I give way to the trial, and lose patience and peace? Must I? Need Ver. 18. I? Nay; +what matters it+ (_ti gar_)? Is not the fiery arrow quenched in Christ for me? Is it not thus nothing to me? Yes--yet not nothing, after all; for it brings a gain; it spreads the Gospel so much further; so that to my "What matters it?" I may add, +Only, in every way+, fair or foul, +Christ is being announced; and in this I rejoice, aye, and rejoice I shall+; the future can only bring me fresh reasons for a joy which lies wholly in the triumphs of my Lord, and can only bring fresh blessings to