The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.
Parallel translations
- WEB but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
- KJV But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
- NKJV but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
- NASB the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment.
- NLT 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Others preach out of love, knowing Paul is set in place to defend the gospel. Love-driven ministry stands with God's servants.
Overview
This group understands Paul's God-appointed role and supports him rather than competing. Their motive is love, the proper spring of all true ministry. The contrast highlights that genuine partnership in the gospel flows from love, not ambition.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 2 Tim 1:11–12to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
- Phil 2:3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- 2 Tim 4:6–7For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
- 1 Cor 9:16–17Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- 2 Tim 4:16At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.
- Rom 1:13–17I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, how often I planned to come to you (but have been prevented from visiting until now), in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
- Phil 1:7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.
- Acts 26:24At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”
- 1 Tim 2:7For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.
- Acts 22:1“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”
- Gal 2:7–8On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
- Luke 21:14So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves.
- Acts 26:1Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The one who, being in the form of God, emptied himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted to the name above every name — the joy and prize of the believer.
How Philippians 1:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.