Philippians 1:15-18
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Paul reveals that even when the Gospel is proclaimed, the motives behind it can be wildly different—some are driven by selfish ambition and rivalry, not a genuine love for Christ or people. This highlights that the source of the message matters just as much as the message itself, and we should be discerning about the "why" behind the proclamation of truth.
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. 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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is writing to the church in Philippi from prison, and in this section, he's reflecting on how the very circumstances of his confinement are actually advancing the Gospel. Despite his chains, people are hearing about Christ, and he's able to express genuine joy over this, even when some are preaching with impure motives.
It might shock us to hear that even the proclamation of Jesus could be tainted by jealousy and rivalry. How can something so pure spring from such impure motives?
Paul reveals a difficult truth: the preaching of Christ isn't always born from a place of pure love. Some individuals, driven by envy and a desire for personal status, proclaimed Christ.
Motives Behind the Message
This shows us that the source of the message matters, even if the message itself (preaching Christ) is fundamentally true. Human ambition and pride can creep into even the most sacred endeavors.
In contrast to envy, Paul highlights another group whose preaching stemmed from a different heart. What does this 'good will' look like in action?
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Paul doesn't leave us in the darkness of human failing. He immediately contrasts the envious preachers with those motivated by genuine goodwill.
The Heart of True Ministry
This highlights a crucial aspect of Christian service: the intention behind our actions. True ministry flows from a heart aligned with God's heart – seeking His glory and the good of others.
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
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.
katangellō · Greek Verb
To announce the message of Christ; an official proclamation of the gospel, often implying a heraldic declaration of a King's arrival and reign.
The tensions Paul addresses in Philippians were not new; they stemmed from long-standing disputes, particularly the 'Judaizing' controversy, which fueled factionalism within the early church even as Paul proclaimed the Gospel from Roman house arrest.
c. AD 48-49
Jerusalem Council
The Council of Jerusalem addressed the issue of Gentile believers needing to follow Jewish law, establishing a significant victory for Paul's approach to the Gospel.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
During his time in Corinth, Paul encountered significant opposition and division within the church, likely from those with similar 'party spirit' concerns.
c. AD 55
Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians
In this letter, Paul directly addresses factions and rivalries within the Corinthian church, warning against 'party spirit' and contentious preaching.
c. AD 57
Paul's Letter to the Galatians
Paul fiercely combats the influence of 'Judaizers' who insisted on circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law for Gentile Christians.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul is under house arrest in Rome, able to receive visitors and continue his ministry, though facing limitations and opposition.
c. AD 64
Persecution under Nero
While Paul's imprisonment was initially less severe, the later reign of Nero saw intensified persecution of Christians.
This passage highlights the dangers of division and party spirit within the early church, directly mirroring the 'envy and strife' mentioned in Philippians, showing how these negative motivations can fracture unity even when Christ is the proclaimed subject.
Galatians 1:6-9Paul warns against those who preach a 'different gospel,' which echoes the concerns about those preaching Christ with impure motives in Philippians; it underscores that the *way* the Gospel is preached, and the underlying intent, matters greatly.
1 Timothy 6:3-5This passage addresses 'quarrelling' and 'envy' in the context of teaching, similar to Philippians 1:15, revealing a consistent issue of selfish ambition and contentious spirits among some who claimed to speak about God.
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching on serving two masters speaks to the core issue: one cannot serve both God and selfish ambition. This helps explain *why* some might preach Christ from envy and strife, as their ultimate allegiance lies elsewhere.
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 that even when the Gospel is proclaimed, the motives behind it can be wildly different—some are driven by selfish ambition and rivalry, not a genuine love for Christ or people. This highlights that the source of the message matters just as much as the message itself, and we should be discerning about the "why" behind the proclamation of truth.
Paul is writing to the church in Philippi from prison, and in this section, he's reflecting on how the very circumstances of his confinement are actually advancing the Gospel. Despite his chains, people are hearing about Christ, and he's able to express genuine joy over this, even when some are preaching with impure motives.
Paul is writing to the church in Philippi from prison, and in this section, he's reflecting on how the very circumstances of his confinement are actually advancing the Gospel. Despite his chains, people are hearing about Christ, and he's able to express genuine joy over this, even when some are preaching with impure motives.
"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 that even when the Gospel is proclaimed, the motives behind it can be wildly different—some are driven by selfish ambition and rivalry, not a genuine love for Christ or people. This high…
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Last reviewed October 2026
