Philippians 1:15-17
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul reveals a startling paradox: Christ is being preached not just with pure motives, but even out of envy and rivalry. This means that even when the core message of Jesus is proclaimed, the heart behind it—whether it's self-promotion or genuine love—can be profoundly different, and Paul can still find reason to rejoice in the message itself, regardless of the messenger's agenda.
Paul is in Rome, imprisoned for his faith, and some are using this opportunity to preach Christ. However, not everyone has the same pure motives; some are driven by a desire to stir up trouble and compete with Paul, perhaps even undermining his authority, while others are genuinely focused on spreading the Gospel and supporting Paul's ministry out of true affection.
Did you know that even in the early church, people preached about Jesus for all sorts of reasons, not all of them good?
Paul, writing from prison, acknowledges a reality that might surprise us: some people were sharing the message about Christ, but their hearts weren't pure. He distinguishes between two groups:
This shows us that the why behind our actions, especially when it comes to sharing our faith, is incredibly important to God.
Even when motives are messy, can the message still be good?
It's fascinating that Paul could 'rejoice' (as he states in the next verse) that Christ was being proclaimed, even by those with selfish intentions. This highlights a crucial point:
Understand the original words
kēryssousin · Greek Verb
To proclaim, announce, or herald a message publicly. In a biblical context, it refers to the authoritative declaration of the gospel, inviting people to respond to the truth of Christ.
phthonon · Greek Noun
A feeling of resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck; in a biblical context, it is a work of the flesh that stands in opposition to the unity and love of the body of Christ.
erin · Greek Noun
A spirit of contention, selfish ambition, or the desire to put oneself forward at the expense of others. It is often contrasted with the humility required of Christ's followers.
agapē · Greek Noun
The church in Rome wasn't a monolith; it included different factions, likely stemming from the long-standing tension between Jewish and Gentile believers, and the influence of Judaizing teachers who challenged Paul's authority and teachings even as they proclaimed Christ.
c. AD 49
Jerusalem Council
A pivotal meeting where apostles debated whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law. Paul and Barnabas argued successfully against requiring circumcision for Gentiles, a victory for the inclusion of non-Jews in the early church.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
Paul spent over two years in Ephesus, a major Roman city, establishing a strong church and facing significant opposition, including from those who mixed Jewish practices with Christian belief.
c. AD 53-55
Paul's Letter to the Galatians
Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia to strongly condemn the 'Judaizers' who insisted that Gentile Christians must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law.
c. AD 55
Paul's Letter to the Corinthians
In his letters to Corinth, Paul addressed divisions within the church, warning against 'factious parties' and those who were 'unspiritual' or promoting 'rivalry.'
This passage directly addresses the disunity and factionalism that plagued the early church, mirroring the 'envy and rivalry' mentioned in Philippians, showing that divisions, even among those preaching Christ, were an ongoing problem.
Galatians 1:6-9Paul warns against those who pervert the gospel, which aligns with the concern that some in Philippians were preaching Christ not with pure motives but for their own gain or agenda, thus distorting the message.
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching about serving two masters highlights the impossibility of serving both God and money or personal ambition, providing a theological backdrop to why motives matter in ministry, whether for 'envy and strife' or 'good will.'
1 Timothy 6:3-5This passage speaks to those who teach doctrines for profit or to stir up trouble, directly echoing the idea in Philippians that preaching can stem from unhealthy motivations like greed and contention rather than genuine love for the truth.
barnesPhilippians 1:15: "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:"
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife - What was the ground of this "envy and strife" the apostle does not mention. It would seem, however, that even in Rome there was a party which was jealous of the influence of Paul, and which supposed that this was a good opportunity to diminish his influence, and to strengthen their own cause. He was not now at large so as to be able: to meet and…
gillPhilippians 1:15: "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:"
Some, indeed, preach Christ,.... That is, some of them, as the Arabic version reads; some of the brethren, that were only so in profession; wherefore these could not be the unbelieving Jews, who preached the Messiah in general, but did not believe Jesus of Nazareth to be he, and opened the prophecies of the Old Testament relating to him, to the Gentiles; at which the apostle is by some thought to…
Paul reveals a startling paradox: Christ is being preached not just with pure motives, but even out of envy and rivalry. This means that even when the core message of Jesus is proclaimed, the heart behind it—whether it's self-promotion or genuine love—can be profoundly different, and Paul can still find reason to rejoice in the message itself, regardless of the messenger's agenda.
Paul is in Rome, imprisoned for his faith, and some are using this opportunity to preach Christ. However, not everyone has the same pure motives; some are driven by a desire to stir up trouble and compete with Paul, perhaps even undermining his authority, while others are genuinely focused on spreading the Gospel and supporting Paul's ministry out of true affection.
Paul is in Rome, imprisoned for his faith, and some are using this opportunity to preach Christ. However, not everyone has the same pure motives; some are driven by a desire to stir up trouble and compete with Paul, perhaps even undermining his authority, while others are genuinely focused on spreading the Gospel and supporting Paul's ministry out of true affection.
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This doesn't excuse poor motives, but it reveals Paul's deep confidence in the objective truth and effectiveness of the Gospel message.
Deep, sacrificial commitment and affection, often modeled after God’s love for humanity; it denotes a settled disposition of the heart to seek the highest good of another.
euangelion · Greek Noun
The 'good news' of salvation through Jesus Christ; the message of the incarnation, death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus for the redemption of sinners.
eritheia · Greek Noun
Self-seeking behavior, rivalry, or a spirit of faction; it involves pushing one’s own agenda or status at the expense of others, often motivated by pride.
desmos · Greek Noun
A state of confinement, literal or metaphorical, often used in the New Testament to describe the apostle’s restricted condition as a servant of Christ.
c. AD 60— this verse
Paul's Arrival in Rome
After a perilous journey and shipwreck, Paul finally arrived in Rome to await trial, under house arrest but still able to preach and teach.
c. AD 61-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
During his house arrest in Rome, Paul wrote letters to various churches, including Philippians. He used this time to continue his ministry and address internal church dynamics.
"Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but think…" — Paul reveals a startling paradox: Christ is being preached not just with pure motives, but even out of envy and rivalry. This means that even when the core message of Jesus is proclaimed, the heart…
