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.
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.
- BSB The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.
- 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.
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 1:11–12For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
- Phil 2:3doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
- 2 Tim 4:6–7For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
- 1 Cor 9:16–17For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I don’t preach the Good News.
- 2 Tim 4:16At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
- Rom 1:13–17Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
- Phil 1:7It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
- Acts 26:24As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”
- 1 Tim 2:7to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
- Acts 22:1“Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you.”
- Gal 2:7–8but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision
- Luke 21:14Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
- Acts 26:1Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made 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
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