Philippians 1:19 “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”
Paul was imprisoned in Rome because the Jewish authorities had falsely accused him of sedition and promoting another King in the place of Caesar. He did indeed preach Jesus Christ “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (I Timothy 6:15); but, they neglected to include that “Jesus” had plainly declared “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36). Thus, Paul and the Christian Church were no threat to Caesar and the Roman authorities. Furthermore, the Word of God teaches Christians to “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” (Romans 13:1); that is, obey the laws of the land as long as those laws do not infringe upon Biblical teachings for doctrine and practice and integrity and moral behavior. Paul knew that the more preachers who were preaching the blessed and holy truth of Jesus Christ, the more sure his “salvation” was; that is, his survival in the Roman penal system; for, the Roman authorities would see that Christianity was no threat to them. We are even charged to pray “For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (I Timothy 2:2). And, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in” us, we want to “live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18).