Philippians 1:16-20

 

Phil 1:16 (KJB)

The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

 

Contention - Strife or selfish ambition

Sincerely - Purely (as in pure motives)

Add - Bring over or upon , inflict

Affliction - Tribulation

 

Paul knew the motives of the false teachers which were trying to usurp his apostolic authority out of envy. The false teachers were preaching Christ out of selfish ambition, that is, to draw a crowd to themselves. No false teacher ever has a pure motive when trying to draw people away unto themselves. Paul knew many of these false teachers were expecting to add affliction to his already hard situation. These false teachers take great pride in themselves if they can draw others away from the truth and unto themselves. They knew that Paul was locked up and that he was unable to defend himself or to make a personal defense of the true Gospel and they counted on his inability to confront them so they were able to continue to preach unhindered. Knowing that a false gospel was being proclaimed by the enemies of Christ would definitely have added to Paul’s affliction. Any true teacher of the Gospel would cringe at the thought of a false gospel going unhindered.

 

Phil 1:17 (KJB)

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

 

Defence - Apologetic, verbal defense, or reply

 

Then there was the other side of the coin where the group of true teachers were proclaiming the true gospel. This group knew that Paul was always ready to defend the true Gospel and he was doing just that as he taught the gospel to the Praetorium Guard. This was the worthy group that preached Christ out of love and that love was manifested in seeing others become saved. They did not desire to draw people unto themselves, but their desire was to bring people to Christ. Paul had defended the Gospel in a Scriptural manner by proclaiming the true Gospel and this is how we invade the territory of the false gospels, by bringing the truth.

 

Phil 1:18 (KJB)

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

 

Pretence - Motive, reason, or pretext

 

Here Paul is stating that if the false teachers want to preach Christ, this will also make Paul glad. Paul is not condoning the false teachers but if they are preaching Christ, then a person could become saved. The reality is that false ministry motives will have no effect upon the truth simply because it is the power of God which saves a person and not the words of the preacher. I have been in false churches where the Bible is read without interruption as part of the service. While the church may be dead, the word of God is not and if an Elect person is sitting in the pews and it is their time to became saved, they will become saved because they heard the word of God. (Rom 10:17 KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Romans 10:17 states that faith (salvation) comes by hearing the word of God not the words of the preacher, whether true or false. This is why Paul rejoiced because he knew the power of the Word of God and its ability to convict. (Heb 4:12 KJV) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

Phil 1:19 (KJB)

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

 

Supply - Help which under girds or strengthens the object

 

Here Paul states that he knows that those who are preaching Christ, whether it is false or true teachers, will result in the salvation of souls. He refers to it as “my salvation.” Paul had always asked many to imitate him in his ministry and here he is stating that many shall be added to his salvation, that is, will be saved in the same manner and will result in the same salvation which he possesses. Paul always had coveted the prayers of God’s people and depended upon many to continue to bring his name before the Throne. Paul also realized that he was always supplied with the power of the Holy Spirit in all his ministry endeavors and here was no exception. He needed the supply or strengthening of the Holy Spirit because he was attacked on two fronts, one by those teaching falsely and the fact that he was in prison unable to bring the gospel to others by himself, so with the under girding of the Holy Spirit, he was able to endure any attacks but with his spiritual insight, he also knew that God was in total control of the situation, including his, and realized that God could free him at any time. Any time any true believer works in the ministry, they can truly expect the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide that ministry and empower it.

 

Phil 1:20 (KJB)

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

 

Earnest expectation - Intense desire

 

Paul states that his sole purpose in this life, which he expresses by stating his intense desire and his hope is in nothing will he be ashamed. He will always be bold for the truth of Christ and that Christ shall become magnified, which is made larger to the world, whether it be by his living for Christ or his death in Christ. Paul’s ambition was to glorify Christ in his body and this he did since he carried around the marks to prove that he was faithful to Christ. (Gal 6:17 KJV) From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. He had hoped that he would always be bold and never shirk his duty to Christ while he is still in this body. If he died, that would mean his immediate home going which would only strengthen his union with Christ because he would be in Heaven with Him.

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