15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, Philippians 1:15-18 NASB
As I was thinking about Paul, and that he will rejoice no matter how Christ is proclaimed whether in pretense or in truth.
My question: Do I have the same kind of attitude as Paul have? I don't believe that I do have the same attitude like Paul. Yes, I do want others to hear about Christ, but I do care how Christ is proclaimed. I do really want it to be proclaimed in truth and not in pretense, and I am sure that Paul does want it to be proclaimed in truth and not in pretense. At that time, I couldn't fathom how Paul can rejoice that Christ is proclaimed in pretense. Then as I think more about Paul, and why he would rejoice in that.
My conclusion: I believe that his focus was on that the seeds were being planted, and those who heard about Christ will come to know the truth and to received Him as their personal Lord and Savior. The more seeds being planted is for the better to Paul.
How can I have the same kind of attitude as Paul have? I am sure that only way is through Christ Alone can help us to have the same kind of attitude as Paul have. I know that I need to pray to have that kind of attitude as Paul have in a godly way and rejoice that Christ is proclaimed even in pretense. I know that would be hard to rejoice. It is easy to rejoice that Christ is proclaimed in truth than to rejoice in pretense.
Can you tell me why Paul would rejoice that Christ is proclaimed in pretense? I would love to hear what you think about this case.
Hungry to eat His Word,
'Guerite ~ BoldLion
3 comments:
I don't pretend to know exactly what Paul meant by those words. However after your question I sought out Matthew Henry's Commentary on this verse. Here is what he had to say:
Note, The preaching of Christ is the joy of all who wish well to his kingdom among men. Since it may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice in it, though it be done in pretence, and not in reality. It is God’s prerogative to judge of the principles men act upon; this is out of our line. Paul was so far from envying those who had liberty to preach the gospel while he was under confinement that he rejoiced in the preaching of it even by those who do it in pretence, and not in truth. How much more then should we rejoice in the preaching of the gospel by those who do it in truth, yea, though it should be with much weakness and some mistake!
So my understanding is that although the ones preaching Christ in pretense were doing it for their glory and not for Christ's glory, Paul still rejoiced because the gospel was being preached and God would use it for good.
Thank you for sharing with me your comment of your thought and Matthew Henry's Commentary on this verse. I know that I got a lot to learn.
Let us continue to eat His Word and grow to be more Christ-Like.
Hungry to eat His Word,
'Guerite ~ BoldLion
Your welcome. I pray that God will continue to give you a thirst and hunger for His word. It's a joy to see you seeking to understand the word.
I can think of nothing else I had rather feast upon than God's word.
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