New English Translation
Philippians 1:17
17The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.
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, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment. 18What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of 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 1:7For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God’s grace together with me.
- Romans 1:13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often intended to come to you (and was prevented until now), so that I may have some fruit even among you, just as I already have among the rest of the Gentiles.
- 1 Corinthians 9:16For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I am compelled to do this. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- Galatians 2:7On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was to the circumcised
- 1 Timothy 2:7For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle – I am telling the truth; I am not lying – and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
- 2 Timothy 1:11For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.
- 2 Timothy 4:6For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand.
- Luke 21:14Therefore be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense.
- Acts 22:1“Brothers and fathers, listen to my defense that I now make to you.”
- Acts 26:1So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul held out his hand and began his defense:
- 2 Timothy 4:16At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it.
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries