Philippians 1:17

Philippians 1:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
• New International Version (NIV)The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
• New King James Version (NKJV)but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

Context of Philippians 1:17

15Some, it is true, are [actually] preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry [toward me—for no better reason than a competitive spirit or misguided ambition], but others out of goodwill and a loyal spirit [toward me]. 16The latter [preach Christ] out of love, because they know that I have been put here [by God on purpose] for the defense of the gospel; but the former preach Christ [insincerely] out of selfish ambition [just self-promotion], thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. 18What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice [later as well], 19for I know [with confidence] that this will turn out for my deliverance and spiritual well-being, through your prayers and the [superabundant] supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ [which upholds me].

Philippians 1:17 word by word

οἱ δὲ ἐξ ἐριθείας τὸν Χριστὸν καταγγέλλουσιν οὐχ ἁγνῶς οἰόμενοι θλῖψιν ἐγείρειν τοῖς δεσμοῖς μου.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• the otherὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• loveἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• knowingεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• I am setκεῖμαιkeimai · to lay/be appointedG2749
• forεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the defenceἀπολογίαapologia · defenceG627
• of the gospelεὐαγγέλιονeuaggelion · gospelG2098

Cross-references for Philippians 1:17

• Philippians 1:7It is right for me to feel this way about you, because [you have me in your heart as] I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news [regarding salvation], all of you share in [His matchless] grace with me.
• Romans 1:13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that many times I have planned to come to you, (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit [of my labors] among you, even as I have among the rest of the Gentiles.
• 1 Corinthians 9:16For if I [merely] preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am compelled [that is, absolutely obligated to do it]. Woe to me if I do not preach the good news [of salvation]!
• Galatians 2:7But on the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised (Gentiles), just as Peter had been [entrusted to proclaim the gospel] to the circumcised (Jews);
• 1 Timothy 2:7And for this matter I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying [when I say this]—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
• 2 Timothy 1:11for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher [of this good news regarding salvation].
• 2 Timothy 4:6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure [from this world] is at hand and I will soon go free.
• Luke 21:14So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;
• Acts 22:1“Brethren and fathers (kinsmen), hear my defense which I now offer to you.”
• Acts 26:1Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are [now] permitted to speak on your own behalf.” At that, Paul stretched out his hand [as an orator] and made his defense [as follows]:
• 2 Timothy 4:16At my first trial no one supported me [as an advocate] or stood with me, but they all deserted me. May it not be counted against them [by God].

Commentaries on Philippians 1:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17The other of love - Through a sincere desire, not only to make known the way of salvation to the people, but also to vindicate and help the apostle, because they considered him as appointed by God to preach and defend the Gospel. The 16th and 17th verses are transposed by ABDEFG, and several others; the Syriac, Arabic of Erpen, Coptic, Sahidic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, Itala, and several of the fathers. On this evidence Griesbach transposed them in…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17But the other of love - From pure motives, and from sincere affection to me. Knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel - They believe that I am an ambassador from God. They regard me as unjustly imprisoned, and while I am disabled, they are willing to aid me in the great cause to which my life is devoted. To alleviate his sorrows, and to carry forward the great cause to defend which he was particularly appointed, they engaged in the work which…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-20Verses 12-20 The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the offence of the cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15-18some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry: These people were likely other believers who did not like Paul and criticized him (see 2 Corinthians 10–13; Galatians 4:12–20; 5:7–12). Even so, the message about Christ was being preached, so Paul rejoiced.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-1716-17. The oldest manuscripts transpose these verses, and read, "These (last) indeed out of love (to Christ and me), knowing (the opposite of 'thinking' below) that I am set (that is, appointed by God, 1Th 3:3) for the defense of the Gospel (Php 1:7, not on my own account). But the others out of contention (or rather, 'a factious spirit'; 'cabal'; a spirit of intrigue, using unscrupulous means to compass their end; 'self-seeking' [Alford]) proclaim (the…Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 1:17

• Forgiveness
• Intercession
• Love
• Rome
• Tact
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Confirmation
• Conversation
• Flesh
• Furtherance
• Yea
• Commentaries
• Philippians, the Epistle to the
• Sincere; Sincerity
• strife, disputes, quarrel, arguing, conflict

Commentaries on Philippians 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings