New King James Version
Philippians 1:16
16The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
Philippians 1:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
- New International Version (NIV)The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
- New Living Translation (NLT)They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News.
Context of Philippians 1:16
14and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Read all of Philippians 1Philippians 1:16 word by word
οἱ μὲν ἐξ ἀγάπης εἰδότες ὅτι εἰς ἀπολογίαν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου κεῖμαι·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- The oneὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
- preachκαταγγέλλωkataggellō · to proclaimG2605
- ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
- ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- contentionἐριθείαeritheia · rivalryG2052
- notοὐou · noG3756
- sincerelyἁγνῶςhagnōs · purelyG55
- supposingοἴομαιoiomai oimai · to supposeG3633
- to addἐπιφέρωepipherō · to inflictG2018
- afflictionθλῖψιςthlipsis · pressureG2347
- toδεσμόςdesmon desmos · chainG1199
- myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
Cross-references for Philippians 1:16
- Philippians 1:10that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
- 2 Corinthians 2:17For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
- Job 6:14“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
- Job 16:4I also could speak as you do, If your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, And shake my head at you;
- Psalms 69:26For they persecute the ones You have struck, And talk of the grief of those You have wounded.
Commentaries on Philippians 1:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Preach Christ of contention - The Judaizing teachers, they also preach Christ; they acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ or promised Messiah, and preach him as such. Not sincerely - ̔· Not chastely, garbling the Gospel; not speaking the whole truth, but just what served their purpose; and at the same time they denounced the apostle as an enemy to the Divine institutions, because he spoke against circumcision.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16The one preach Christ of contention - So as to form parties, and to produce strifes among his professed followers. Not sincerely - Not “purely” - ̔͂ hagnōs- not with pure motives or intentions. Their real aim is not to preach Christ, but to produce difficulty, and to stir up strife. They are ambitious people, and they have no real regard for the welfare of the church and the honor of religion. Supposing to add affliction to my bonds - To make my trial…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 1:16
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 King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries