Paul is not shy in speaking about his sufferings and imprisonments. When writing to Timothy he even makes a point of telling Timothy not to be ashamed of his imprisonment (2 Timothy 1:8). He makes much of the encouragement that he received in prison visits from Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16-18) and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30). There is no doubt that Paul suffered in prison and was greatly comforted by the visits from his brothers in Christ and the help from the churches. It is also a reality that suffering only increased Paul’s love for Jesus and found his Savior only greatly exalted through his hardships.
In his letter to the Philippians, we see this reality in words that sound like a man contemplating the end of his life.
1. Paul is encouraged that his imprisonment has meant a greater spread of the gospel.
Philippians 1:12-14 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. 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.
Can you imagine this testimony, even to Roman soldiers, that this man is so confident in his Christ that he is willing to suffer and die for him? Paul surely must be greatly encouraged to know that what may be a sense of shame to some people is a great confidence boost to others. He must surely be greatly encouraged to know that his whole purpose to expand the spread of the gospel is even happening through his imprisonment. How could this do anything else other than give him cause to praise the Lord who called him into this great work.
2. Paul has such a close grasp on Christ that he debates about whether life is better than death.
Philippians 1:18-23 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. 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. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
These words sent to Philippi in a letter are not thoughtless expressions. You can imagine that Paul has had much time languishing in a Roman imprisonment contemplating his possible outcomes. For this man to be so content with the prospect of his death, we can only imagine how prison has increased his endearment to Christ. I wonder, how much more fervent were his prayers? I wonder, how much more precious were his memory of the Scriptures? I wonder, how much more intimately he realized the presence of his God?
3. Paul has found a big grasp on the realities of life.
Philippians 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
As he thinks on his life, Paul realizes that none of his accomplishments or former zeal matter. The only thing in his life that can possibly matter is knowing and loving Jesus. Where would this truth be more apparent than sitting under guard at the mercy of Rome? Where would Christ’s glory be more needed than in the worldly shame of imprisonment?
Paul is not the only man who found that suffering and imprisonment increased the wonder of his Savior. We find many people throughout the centuries have experienced the very same. Contemplate this as you listen to the words of the great John Bunyan about his prison experience as he wondered if he would soon meet the gallows.
"I never had in all my life as great an inlet into the word of God until now. The Scriptures that I saw nothing in before are made in this place to shine upon me. Jesus Christ was never more real and apparent than now. Here I have seen him and felt him indeed. I have seen that here that I am persuaded I will never while in this world be able to express. I never knew what it was for God to stand by me at all terms and at every offer of Satan to afflict me as I have found him since I came in hither. As being very tender of me, he has not suffered me to be molested, but would with one Scripture and another strengthen me against all. In so much that I have often said, 'were it lawful, I could pray for greater trouble for the greater comfort sake.'" John Bunyan.
Who else but Christ could receive great exaltation when we face greater suffering?