Phili 1:12-14 | RWP | e4.org | The things which happened unto me ( τα κατ' εμε ). "The things concerning me" = "my affairs" as common in Josephus. Have fallen out rather ( μαλλον εληλυθεν ). "Have come rather." Second perfect active indicative of ερχομα . Unto the progress ( εις προκοπην ). Late word from προκοπτω , common verb, to cut or strike forward, but this late substantive does not occur in classical Greek. It is a technical term in Stoic philosophy for "progress toward wisdom" and it appears also in the papyri and the LXX. In N.T. only here, verse ; .

‏ Philippians 1:12-14

The things which happened unto me ( τα κατ' εμε ). "The things concerning me" = "my affairs" as common in Josephus.

Have fallen out rather ( μαλλον εληλυθεν ). "Have come rather." Second perfect active indicative of ερχομα.

Unto the progress ( εις προκοπην ). Late word from προκοπτω, common verb, to cut or strike forward, but this late substantive does not occur in classical Greek. It is a technical term in Stoic philosophy for "progress toward wisdom" and it appears also in the papyri and the LXX. In N.T. only here, verse 25; 1Ti 4:15.

Throughout the whole praetorian guard ( εν ολω τω πραιτωριω ). There were originally ten thousand of these picked soldiers, concentrated in Rome by Tiberius. They had double pay and special privileges and became so powerful that emperors had to court their favour. Paul had contact with one after another of these soldiers. It is a Latin word, but the meaning is not certain, for in the other New Testament examples (Mt 27:27; Mr 15:16; Joh 18:28, 33; 19:9; Ac 23:35) it means the palace of the provincial governor either in Jerusalem or Caesarea. In Rome "palace" would have to be the emperor's palace, a possible meaning for Paul a provincial writing to provincials (Kennedy). Some take it to mean the camp or barracks of the praetorian guard. The Greek, "in the whole praetorium," allows this meaning, though there is no clear example of it. Mommsen and Ramsay argue for the judicial authorities (praefecti praetorio) with the assessors of the imperial court. At any rate Paul, chained to a soldier, had access to the soldiers and the officials.

The most of the brethren ( τους πλειονας των αδελφων ). "The more part of the brethren." The comparative with the article with the sense of the superlative as often in the Koine.

In the Lord ( εν Κυριω ). It is not clear whether this phrase is to be connected with "brethren" or with "being confident" ( πεποιθοτας ), probably with πεποιθοτας. If so, then "through my bonds" ( τοις δεσμοις μου ) would be the instrumental case and mean that by means of Paul's bonds the brethren "are more abundantly bold" ( περισσοτερως τολμαιν ).