Bible Strands
Philippians 1:18
What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Philippian believers from imprisonment, addressing the specific situation where some within the church are preaching Christ with selfish ambition to intensify his chains.
The words — `plēn` (only/but) and `prophasei` (pretext/false motives) frame the contrast between sincere and insincere preaching, while `panti tropō` (in every way) establishes the unqualified scope of Christ's proclamation.
The thread — This pattern appears in Luke 9:50 and Mark 9:38, where Jesus and his followers accept ministry outside their direct circle, and in 1 Corinthians 15:11, which notes that the preached message remains identical regardless of the messenger.
Why it lands — It demands that readers evaluate the success of ministry by the advancement of Christ's name rather than the purity of the preacher's motives, and it requires maintaining joy in the gospel's progress despite personal opposition or hardship.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Cross-references
- Luke 9:50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”
- Mark 9:38 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
- Philippians 1:14 And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.
- Matthew 23:13 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.
- 1 Corinthians 14:15 What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
- Mark 12:40 They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
- 2 John 1:9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
- Luke 9:45 But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
- Romans 3:9 What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.