Philippians 1:18-19 isn't a license to preach anything you want.

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ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

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Apr 21, 2021
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"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." Philippians 1:15-18

How often have you heard this passage interpreted as: This is proof that so long as Christ is preached, that's all that matters. I agree to an extent; but that's not the whole story. Paul wasn't saying anything goes as long as it's done in the name of Jesus. What he's talking about are those who preach the truth of Christ and the gospel but do so from selfish ambition and envy.

If we take the above passage to mean what a lot of people think it means, it directly contradicts other passages. For example:

"For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!" 2 Corinthians 11:4​

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9​
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Philippians 1:15-18 isn't a license to preach whatever you want; on the contrary, it instructs us to preach the truth from sincerity.
 
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ResidentAlien said:
"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." Philippians 1:15-18

How often have you heard this passage interpreted as: This is proof that so long as Christ is preached, that's all that matters. I agree to an extent; but that's not the whole story. Paul wasn't saying anything goes as long as it's done in the name of Jesus. What he's talking about are those who preach the truth of Christ and the gospel but do so from selfish ambition and envy.

If we take the above passage to mean what a lot of people think it means, it directly contradicts other passages. For example:

"For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!" 2 Corinthians 11:4​

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9​
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Philippians 1:15-18 isn't a license to preach whatever you want; on the contrary, it instructs us to preach the truth from sincerity.
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Amen.
" ... supposing to add affliction to my bonds" seems to be them bragging about their battle scars.
I see a tie-in between this passage and 2 Cor. 11 where Paul details his persecutions; but repeatedly qualifies it with "I speak as a fool".
 
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ResidentAlien said:
What he's talking about are those who preach the truth of Christ and the gospel but do so from selfish ambition and envy.
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I think that's the key: what they are preaching is still true. Their message is still true to Christ and to the scriptures.

Paul would not have tolerated presenting a false Christ in preaching.
 
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ResidentAlien said:
"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." Philippians 1:15-18

How often have you heard this passage interpreted as: This is proof that so long as Christ is preached, that's all that matters. I agree to an extent; but that's not the whole story. Paul wasn't saying anything goes as long as it's done in the name of Jesus. What he's talking about are those who preach the truth of Christ and the gospel but do so from selfish ambition and envy.

If we take the above passage to mean what a lot of people think it means, it directly contradicts other passages. For example:

"For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!" 2 Corinthians 11:4​

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9​
​
Philippians 1:15-18 isn't a license to preach whatever you want; on the contrary, it instructs us to preach the truth from sincerity.
Click to expand...
I havn't really thought much about the Philippians verses in a long time. But reading them now I see that Paul is not speaking in generalities about different preachers out there in the world. Instead, he is speaking of specific preachers that are either opposing him (they want to add affliction to his chains) or supporting him (they know he is defending the gospel).
 
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ResidentAlien said:
"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." Philippians 1:15-18

How often have you heard this passage interpreted as: This is proof that so long as Christ is preached, that's all that matters. I agree to an extent; but that's not the whole story. Paul wasn't saying anything goes as long as it's done in the name of Jesus. What he's talking about are those who preach the truth of Christ and the gospel but do so from selfish ambition and envy.

If we take the above passage to mean what a lot of people think it means, it directly contradicts other passages. For example:

"For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!" 2 Corinthians 11:4​

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9​
​
Philippians 1:15-18 isn't a license to preach whatever you want; on the contrary, it instructs us to preach the truth from sincerity.
Click to expand...
I have never encountered anyone treating that passage as you suggest. Your conclusion is sound, but I have to wonder whether your complaint is merely a pretext.
 
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ResidentAlien said:
What he's talking about are those who preach the truth of Christ and the gospel but do so from selfish ambition and envy.
Click to expand...
'', , and strife''. Or am I being too simplistic by applying strife to the cause of a splintered flock of God? Some strife is to be expected while we ''earnestly contend for the faith''. But its the ''season'' of preaching to know whether or not that intention yields good fruit of grace or contempt.
 
I think this happen with Paul and Peter? Was it Paul and Peter, they had an argument about the word of God, and they divided.
 
Brasspen said:
I think this happen with Paul and Peter? Was it Paul and Peter, they had an argument about the word of God, and they divided.
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I think that was Paul and Barnabas Acts 15:36-41 however, we all go through agreeing and disagreeing. Can we accept and move on, not holding grudges? I see to not fight, divide and devour each other. I see seek to edify and trust Father for the right words to say to one another and each grow up into maturity as called to do in Hebrews 5:12-6:3
This given salvation is not a competition, thank you
 
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ResidentAlien said:
"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." Philippians 1:15-18

How often have you heard this passage interpreted as: This is proof that so long as Christ is preached, that's all that matters. I agree to an extent; but that's not the whole story. Paul wasn't saying anything goes as long as it's done in the name of Jesus. What he's talking about are those who preach the truth of Christ and the gospel but do so from selfish ambition and envy.

If we take the above passage to mean what a lot of people think it means, it directly contradicts other passages. For example:

"For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!" 2 Corinthians 11:4​

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9​
​
Philippians 1:15-18 isn't a license to preach whatever you want; on the contrary, it instructs us to preach the truth from sincerity.
Click to expand...
Paul was in Jail when wrote the Epistle to the Philippians
There was the jail help there watching Paul's reaction to being jailed. They saw Paul not change in glorying over God. He was in Jail. Who here does not complain when in jail?
Paul didn't, and said hey look, the jail help has decided to believe God loves them too. Wow! Why?
How many people rejoice still when in troubles? Did not Job continue to trust God, those counselors kept saying Job was being. punished over sin?
And in the first Chapter it does not say anything about sin
It was a trust issue, whether or not Job would continue to trust God, if got troubles in his way!
Therefore turn to God personally and trust God, be willing. and see new from God too, thank you
Once anyone does, I bet troubles will try to get you too. Yet turn to God in trust no matter what, thank you!
 
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