Philippians 1:15
“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul notes that some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, while others preach from genuine goodwill.
What Does Philippians 1:15 Mean?
Paul candidly acknowledges that not everyone proclaiming Christ had pure motives. Some were preaching out of envy and strife, perhaps resentful of Paul or eager to make a name during his absence, while others spoke from sincere good will.
It is a sobering reminder that even good work can spring from tangled motives, and that rivalry can creep into the holiest tasks. Paul does not pretend the church is free of such things. Yet he sets the problem before us honestly, preparing for the surprising response he will give in the next verses. Here he simply names the reality: the same message of Christ can be carried by hearts that are loving and by hearts that are not.