In pretence or in truth

Introduction.

Paul writes to the Philippians “in bonds.” 

• in my bonds, v. 7
• my bonds, v. 13
• by my bonds, v. 14
• to my bonds, v. 16

The Philippians are partakers with him, by grace, through his labours, v. 7

All things worked for good, “falling out” unto the furtherance of the gospel, v. 12

• The effect of his bonds, immediately, v. 13
• The effect of his bonds, by extension, v. 14

“Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice.” Matthew Henry

The primary text under consideration.

Philippians 1:15-18 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Verse 15, Some preach Christ 

• of envy and strife
• of good will

Verse 16, Some preach Christ

• of contention, supposing to add affliction to my bonds

Verse 17, Some preach Christ

• of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Verse 18, Christ is preached

• in pretence
• in truth 

“…Paul, in the words ‘in pretence’ and ‘in truth,’ is speaking of the motives of the preachers, not of the substance of their preaching.” Alfred Barry, in A Bible Commentary for English Readers (Charles John Ellicott, editor, Vol. VIII, p. 69).

Explanation and application.

Verses 15 and 16 and 18 give us the clues – “preach Christ,” “not sincerely,” “in pretence” – to understand Paul speaking of the motivation of the preaching, not the content. Had there been doctrinal error preached regarding Christ, Paul could not and would not have rejoiced. We can compare and contrast what Paul said elsewhere, and know he did not condone false preaching.

2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Philippians 3:2-3 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Application and Conclusion.

Since “Christ is preached” Paul can and does rejoice in it. He will continue to rejoice. He is not rejoicing in the envy, contention, and pretence, but that, in spite of that, the message of Jesus Christ was going forth.

Immediate application.

When Christ-preaching preachers strive with us, annoy us, and work in self-serving ways, we can still rejoice in their “preaching Christ.”

This does not mean, however, that we must be indifferent as to the motivation in which, and the spirit by which the gospel is preached. Nevertheless, we can rejoice that “preaching Christ” was done. Good results from God might attend their bad intention.

Other possibilities?

When preachers of other denominations and affiliations “preach Christ” (to the extent they actually preach Christ), we can rejoice in that element of their preaching, even if we cannot rejoice in other doctrines they are teaching.

Note: I would in honesty add that I sometimes struggle with the spirit of the conclusion and its application.

Related, see also The Order of Philippians 1:16-17.