God’s Word Translation
Philippians 1:17
17But the others are insincere. They tell the message about Christ out of selfish ambition in order to stir up trouble for me while I’m in prison.
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 people tell the message about Christ because of their jealousy and envy. Others tell the message about him because of their good will. 16Those who tell the message about Christ out of love know that God has put me here to defend the Good News. But the others are insincere. They tell the message about Christ out of selfish ambition in order to stir up trouble for me while I’m in prison. 18But what does it matter? Nothing matters except that, in one way or another, people are told the message about Christ, whether with honest or dishonest motives, and I’m happy about that. Yes, I will continue to be happy 19for another reason. I know that I will be set free through your prayers and through the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Read all of Philippians 1Philippians 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 1:7You have a special place in my heart. So it’s right for me to think this way about all of you. All of you are my partners. Together we share God’s favor, whether I’m in prison or defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.
- Romans 1:13I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I often planned to visit you. However, until now I have been kept from doing so. What I want is to enjoy some of the results of working among you as I have also enjoyed the results of working among the rest of the nations.
- 1 Corinthians 9:16If I spread the Good News, I have nothing to brag about because I have an obligation to do this. How horrible it will be for me if I don’t spread the Good News!
- Galatians 2:7In fact, they saw that I had been entrusted with telling the Good News to people who are not circumcised as Peter had been entrusted to tell it to those who are circumcised.
- 1 Timothy 2:7I was appointed to spread this Good News and to be an apostle to teach people who are not Jewish about faith and truth. I’m telling you the truth. I’m not lying.
- 2 Timothy 1:11I was appointed to be a messenger of this Good News, an apostle, and a teacher.
- 2 Timothy 4:6My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God.
- Luke 21:14So make up your minds not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.
- Acts 22:1“Brothers and fathers, listen as I now present my case to you.”
- Acts 26:1Agrippa said to Paul, “You’re free to speak for yourself.” Paul acknowledged King Agrippa and then began his defense.
- 2 Timothy 4:16At my first hearing no one stood up in my defense. Everyone abandoned me. I pray that it won’t be held against them.
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
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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