Philippians 1:15 – “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul acknowledges that not everyone who preaches about Christ does so with pure motives. Some people genuinely desire to share the gospel, but others have selfish ambitions.

• “Some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry” – Paul is referring to people who are spreading the gospel for the wrong reasons. They may be jealous of Paul’s influence or want to compete with him rather than work alongside him.
• “But others out of goodwill” – In contrast, there are those who preach out of sincere love for God and for people. Their motivation is pure—they truly want to see people saved and growing in Christ.

Paul does not question whether these individuals are preaching the true gospel. Instead, he focuses on their motives, showing that some preach for personal gain, while others preach to glorify God.

Historical Context

Paul wrote this letter while under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16-31), awaiting trial before Caesar. Even in chains, he continued to share the gospel, and his imprisonment had encouraged others to start preaching as well (Philippians 1:14).

However, not all of these preachers had good intentions. Some were jealous of Paul’s reputation and saw his imprisonment as an opportunity to promote themselves rather than the gospel. Others were genuinely trying to spread the message of Jesus.

This situation reveals that even in the early church, there were different motives behind preaching. Some people had selfish ambition, while others were sincere servants of Christ.

Theological Implications

• God can use imperfect people to spread the gospel – Even though some were preaching with bad motives, they were still proclaiming the message of Christ.
• Right motives matter to God – While God can use anyone, He desires that His people serve Him with sincerity and humility.
• The gospel is not about competition – Ministry is not a race to be the most popular or successful. It is about pointing people to Jesus, not to ourselves.

This verse reminds us that our motivation in serving God is just as important as the message we share.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording in this verse is clear and contrasting:

• “Some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry” – The words “envy” and “rivalry” suggest that these preachers were focused on themselves, not on Jesus.
• “Others out of goodwill” – Paul contrasts selfish ambition with pure motives, highlighting the difference between those seeking personal gain and those sincerely serving God.

Paul does not reject the message of those preaching from envy—he simply notes that their hearts are not in the right place. This suggests that God’s truth remains powerful, even when preached by imperfect people.

Biblical Cross-References

• God looks at the heart, not just actions – 1 Samuel 16:7 (“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”)
• Some people serve for selfish gain – Matthew 6:1 (“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.”)
• The gospel is still powerful, no matter the messenger – Isaiah 55:11 (“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty.”)
• Serving with the right motives – Colossians 3:23 (“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse challenges us to examine our motives:

• Why do we serve God? Is it to glorify Him, or to make ourselves look good?
• Do we compare ourselves to others in ministry, feeling jealousy or rivalry?
• Do we rejoice when the gospel is preached, even if it is by people we don’t agree with?

Paul’s example reminds us that God’s Word is bigger than any one person. Even when people have wrong motives, God can still use them to bring others to Christ.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse shows God’s love and sovereignty:

1. God’s truth is powerful, no matter who speaks it – Even when people preach with bad motives, the gospel itself remains true and life-changing.
2. God calls His people to serve with pure hearts – While God can use imperfect people, He desires that we serve out of love, not selfish ambition.

God’s love is not limited by human imperfections—His truth goes forward, even when people get it wrong.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus confronted religious leaders who served for selfish reasons – The Pharisees often did religious acts for their own glory, but Jesus exposed their hearts (Matthew 23:5-7).
• Jesus’ mission was never about personal gain – Unlike some of the preachers Paul describes, Jesus always served with humility and love, never seeking status (Philippians 2:5-8).
• Jesus is the focus of the gospel, not the preacher – Even when people have wrong motives, the gospel is still about Jesus, not the one sharing it (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).

Paul’s message reminds us that ministry should always point people to Jesus, not to ourselves.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you serve God? Is it truly out of love for Him, or do you sometimes struggle with selfish motives?
2. Have you ever felt jealousy or competition in ministry? How can you shift your focus back to Christ?
3. How do you respond when someone you don’t agree with preaches the gospel? Do you rejoice or criticize?
4. How can you guard your heart against pride and rivalry in serving God?
5. What steps can you take to make sure your motives in ministry are pure?

This verse reminds us that the gospel is bigger than any one person. Even when people have the wrong motives, God’s truth still changes lives. However, as followers of Christ, we should strive to serve with pure hearts, always pointing others to Jesus, not to ourselves.