seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Here's the commentary section.Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife: Paul knew that some preached because they wanted to “surpass” Paul in ministry and to promote their own name and place above Paul’s.
The former preach Christ from selfish ambition: Those preaching the gospel out of wrong motives are infected with selfish ambition, which makes them serve, but not sincerely.
Ambition isn’t necessarily bad; there is nothing wrong in wanting to be the best we can be for God. But selfish ambition is most concerned about a successful image, instead of striving for true success before God.
Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice: So, people preached the gospel more energetically, motivated by Paul’s imprisonment. Some were motivated in a good way and some were motivated in a bad way; yet nonetheless, they were motivated — and Paul could rejoice in that.
Ok... Let's look at this with practical eyes. Paul was in prison because he claimed to be a Christian. Christians of the day were hunted down, imprisoned, and killed. The only reason Paul is still alive is that Paul was a Roman and that made him "special". Paul was also a member of the Sanhedrin, who did their part to hand that "crowd gathering" Jesus to the Cross. Romans hated crowds... they could start a riot... they could crawl up the side of buildings... they could cause the others to "revolt" against Rome. Christians were not loved. Christians were meeting in small groups in the homes of other Christians so they could grow without being seen. Paul was under house arrest in a temple. He wasn't shackled with chains to the side of a dungeon... He was [in a sense] wearing an ankle monitor. He was not free to move about the country. He could not be left alone.
Paul didn't just claim to be a Christian. Paul claimed that Jesus, personally, knocked him down and blinded him. There were witnesses... but no one saw or heard anything. Paul was blinded but no one saw it happen. Just like when Paul was holding the coats of those who beat Stephen to death... No one saw the first blow. There were no cameras back in the day. Paul's supposed conversion was not posted to Tik Tok. But people knew he was there because he was always writing letters to the people he knew in the "church".
The letters Paul wrote were delivered to the "churches" and the Christians of the "Home Churches" would read them aloud, just like we read the Bible. Paul kept the Christians preaching because he egged them on with his letters. If they killed Paul... the letters would stop and surely the Christians would come asking questions. So, Rome kept Paul alive, under house arrest, to avoid upsetting the Christians. AND since Paul was a Roman, he should have his day in court... but proving God exists [or doesn't exist] was a dangerous move for Rome. So, if Paul lives, it's due to the Gospel, and if Paul is put to death, it's due to the Gospel. Paul's human citizenship is really all that was keeping Paul alive. He claimed to be Christian... So, they had to sentence him or there would be a riot. If they sentenced him, however, there might be a riot.
When I read through these verses years ago, I took the path most preachers took when they were teaching this stuff. I saw Paul as a "poor slave to Christ". I'm not so sure now. I see Paul claiming he's "the only reason the Gospel is being spread". If he is indeed the same man who watched as Stephen was murdered, he could indeed be a fake and his preaching would comfort the Christians into coming out into the world, where they would be arrested and put to death.
Was Paul just using the social media of the day [letters] to cause Christians to come out so they could be arrested and imprisoned? Was Paul still working for the Sanhedrin? Was all this just a cunning ploy? Was Paul actually crucifying Jesus' Gospel, so it wouldn't spread. Was Paul causing a fake "gospel of Paul"?
If Paul was crucified... People would call him a martyr. He couldn't lose. He would be famous either way. It's still not about Jesus... It's about Paul.
It's not about Jesus... It's about Paul.
