Paul’s Joy that Christ is Preached
Philippians 1:12-18 NLT
Paul’s Joy That Christ Is Preached
12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.
Examine the scriptures:
Philippians 1:12-18 NLT
Paul’s Joy That Christ Is Preached
12 And I want you to know,
- Paul is about to say something he deems is important.
my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here
Paul is in prison in Rome because of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul is also facing opposition from people outside the church as well as being misrepresented by people within the church. (vs. 15-18)
From a human perspective, things are going poorly for Paul. It may appear to some that Paul’s ministry was put on hold.
- Paul is in prison.
- Paul is also facing opposition from people outside the church as well as being misrepresented by people within the church.
everything that has happened to me here (repeated)
has helped to spread the Good News.
- In spite of the fact that things looked bleak for Paul, Christ was being preached. Paul’s ministry has not been curtailed.
Because of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome many people heard the Gospel who would not otherwise have heard it. Paul’s imprisonment created new opportunities for Paul to share the Gospel.
Paul’s ministry was not being hindered, it was being advanced.
13 For everyone here,
All of the people in Rome who met and heard Paul.
Paul was communicating with many people even though he was a prisoner.
including the whole palace guard,
The palace guard was a group of elite soldiers. It was an honor to be one of these soldiers.
Paul, most likely, was chained to a Roman soldier.
Speak of a captive audience, that soldier was going to hear about Jesus.
If Paul was chained to a soldier 24/7, he would come in contact with a significant number of soldiers over an extended period of time.
knows that I am in chains because of Christ.
“Because of Christ” could have different meanings.
Paul was not in prison because he was a criminal, rather, Paul was in chains because he was preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.
Or
Paul was in prison because he was destined to be there by God’s will, in order to have a unique opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus with a group of people who otherwise would not have been exposed to Paul’s preaching.
- Many people in Rome, including the palace guard, would be hearing Paul’s testimony.
- The palace guards would have opportunities to share Christ with other Roman soldiers as well as share the gospel with Roman officials.
14 And because of my imprisonment,
most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
Paul’s boldness was contagious.
The positive response Paul was receiving in the face of opposition caused others to speak out more courageously and fearlessly for Christ.
- Paul’s boldness in the face of opposition caused others to speak out more courageously and fearlessly for Christ.
15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry.
Their message is true. Their motives are wrong.
These were people who were hoping to advance their own reputation by their activities.
But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News.
Their message is true. Their motives are pure.
17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.
They preach intending to make Paul’s imprisonment more painful.
18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice.
This implies that the true Gospel was being presented. These preachers are not being accused of preaching “a different gospel” or “another gospel” like those in the churches of Galatia.
Some are preaching with wrong, insincere motives but the Gospel is being preached.
“The power of the Gospel, therefore, does not depend on the character of the preacher.” (Dr. Constable)
Paul was glad when the gospel was proclaimed, regardless of who received the credit. Paul endured the unjust accusations without bitterness at his accusers.
- “Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way.”
And I will continue to rejoice.
- Paul is rejoicing because the gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached.
Application
We may be going through some really tough times, but if the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached we have reason to rejoice.
