Philippians 1:15

Philippians 1:15, in plain English

Not everyone preaching about Jesus right now has pure motives. Some are doing it out of envy and rivalry, perhaps hoping to outdo Paul or gain status. Others are preaching from genuine goodwill and sincerity.

Why it's here

Paul is describing a real situation in the church. Some preachers were apparently using the opportunity of Paul's imprisonment to gain influence or prominence for themselves. They might have thought, 'Now that Paul is sidelined, our message will get more attention.' But others were genuinely trying to spread the gospel out of love.

Who's speaking

Paul, giving honest analysis of the church's situation

Where it sits in the story

Human motivation is complicated throughout Scripture. Judas betrayed Jesus for money, but Peter denied Him out of fear. Not every religious person had pure hearts, even in Jesus' own circle. Paul is acknowledging that messy reality rather than pretending the church is perfect.

The scholarly reading

Not all Christian proclamation arises from pure motivation; some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, while others from genuine goodwill.

Language and setting

The candid acknowledgment of mixed motives introduces a note of sophisticated realism into Paul's theology. The phrase 'some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry' (ζῆλος καὶ ἔρις, zelos kai eris) suggests not doctrinal error but motivational impurity—these preachers aim to eclipse or diminish Paul's authority, supposing that success in mission might come at his expense. The construction 'but others out of goodwill' (δι' εὐδοκίαν, di' eudokian) creates a binary distinction that classical rhetoric would recognize as systematic enumeration. This passage has troubled some interpreters: why would Paul tolerate preaching rooted in selfish ambition? The answer lies in his eschatological pragmatism—he measures success not by preacher motivation but by gospel proclamation itself.

Voice

Paul

Significance

This sober acknowledgment of Christian moral complexity resists triumphalism and anticipates the reality that the church would always contain both genuine believers and those operating from mixed or corrupted motives.

13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

14And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.

15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

17The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.

Read all of Philippians 1 — Written from prison, this letter overflows with joy. Paul has found something that circumstances cannot touch — and he wants the Philippians to find it too.