CHRIST IS PREACHED

Passage: Philippians 1:12-18

Key verse: 18

NIV

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains(A) for Christ. 14 And because of my chains,(B) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.(C)

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.(D) 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,(E) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.(F) 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 1:12 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 14; and in 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 8, 21.
  2. Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Advance of the Gospel

12 I want you to know, brothers,[a] that what has happened to me has really (A)served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[b] and (B)to all the rest that (C)my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold (D)to speak the word[c] without fear.

15 (E)Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, (F)knowing that I am put here for (G)the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ (H)out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice,

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 1:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 14
  2. Philippians 1:13 Greek in the whole praetorium
  3. Philippians 1:14 Some manuscripts add of God
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Apostle Paul was passionate about being out and sharing the gospel to the world. When people stoned him and left him for dead, he got back up and continued preaching the gospel (Acts 14). Now that he was in chains, he could not do much, but his passion for spreading the gospel was not chained. He trusted and accepted God's sovereign will over the gospel ministry. He believed that, even in chains, he was advancing the gospel through his courageous example.

Paul acknowledged that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others do so out of good will. This is not an easy thing to look past, but even on the sidelines, he was happy to see and cheer on others who were stepping up and doing the work, regardless of motivation. God's ways are mysterious, and the power of the gospel reaches the hearts of those who are open to receive it. Even when we become less, Christ can shine all the brighter.

Prayer: Lord, may I not focus on the strength or weakness of the messenger, but on the message of the gospel itself to give salvation and life to all who accept it.

One Word: Christ be known