Philippians 1 · Verse 15

Philippians 1:15

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Philippians 1:15, King James Version

Philippians 1:15 in other translations

BSBIt is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
WEBSome indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
ASVSome indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
YLTCertain, indeed, even through envy and contention, and certain also through good-will, do preach the Christ;
DARBYSome indeed also for envy and strife, but some also for good will, preach the Christ.
BBEThough some are preaching Christ out of envy and competition, others do it out of a good heart:
WebsterSome indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife; and some also from good will.

What does Philippians 1:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. "Some indeed are preaching Christ even for envy, that is, to carry out the envy which they felt towards Paul, on account of the success of the Gospel in the capital of the world, owing to his steadfastness in his imprisonment; they wished through envy to transfer the credit of its progress from him to themselves. Probably Judaizing teachers (Ro 14:1-23; 1Co 3:10-15; 9:1, &c.; 2Co 11:1-4). some also of--rather, "for" good will--answering to "the brethren" (Php 1:14); some being well disposed to him.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife. What was the ground of this "envy and strife" the apostle does not mention. It would seem, however, that even in Rome there was a party which was jealous of the influence of Paul, and which supposed that this was a good opportunity to diminish his influence, and to strengthen their own cause. He was not now at large so as to be able to meet and confute them. They had access to the mass of the people. It was easy, under plausible pretences, to insinuate hints about the ambitious aims, or improper influence of Paul, or to take strong ground against him and in favour of their own views, and they availed themselves of this opportunity. It would seem most probable, though this is not mentioned, that these persons were Judaizing teachers, professing Christianity, and who supposed that Paul's views were derogatory to the honour of Moses and the law.

And some also of good will. From pure motives, having no party aims to accomplish, and not intending in any way to give me trouble.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 Some - preach Christ even of envy and strife - These must have been the Judaizing teachers, who insisted on the necessity of connecting the Mosaic rites with the Christian institutions; and, probably, denounced Paul to the Jews dwelling at Rome as not only an enemy to the law and the prophets, but also as a very imperfect Christian, because he declared strongly against the doctrine of circumcision, etc.; and no doubt endeavored to prejudice him with the heathen Romans. The word preach is not to be taken here as implying that the different persons mentioned were what we call preachers of the Gospel: all that we can understand from St. Paul's use of the word is, that they proclaimed Christ as the promised Messiah, espoused the Christian cause, and contended, whether in public or private, that this Jesus was the Christ; but nothing of this kind appears to have been intended in reference to the conversion of sinners. Some also of good will - Some, through mere benevolence to the apostle, both espoused his doctrine and vindicated his cause.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 1:12-20

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…

Read the full comment on Philippians 1:12-20 →

Philippians 1:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τινὲςtinesSomeG5100
μὲνmenindeedG3303
καὶkaievenG2532
διὰdiafromG1223
φθόνονphthononenvyG5355
καὶkaiandG2532
ἔριν,erinstrife,G2054
τινὲςtinessomeG5100
δὲdehoweverG1161
καὶkaialsoG2532
δι᾽di᾽fromG1223
εὐδοκίανeudokiangoodwillG2107
τὸνton<the>G3588
ΧριστὸνChristonChristG5547
κηρύσσουσιν.kērussousinare proclaiming —.G2784

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 1:15

  • Romans 16:17-18

    Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

  • Philippians 2:3

    Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5

    For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

  • 1 Peter 5:2-4

    Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:13

    For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:3-4

    For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

  • Matthew 23:5

    But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

  • 2 Corinthians 1:19

    For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

  • Philippians 1:16-18

    The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

  • James 4:5-6

    Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

  • Acts 9:20

    And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

  • 1 Timothy 3:16

    And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
preach.
16,18; Ac 5:42; 8:5,35; 9:20; 10:36; 11:20; 1Co 1:23; 2Co 1:19; 4:5
1Ti 3:16
even.
2:3; Mt 23:5; Ro 16:17,18; 1Co 3:3,4; 13:3; 2Co 12:20; Ga 2:4
Jas 4:5,6
and.
17; 1Pe 5:2-4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philippians 1:14

    And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

  • Philippians 1:15

    Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

  • Philippians 1:16

    The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Read all of Philippians 1

Philippians 1:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y algunos, á la verdad, predican á Cristo por envidia y porfía; mas algunos también por buena voluntad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Quelques-uns, il est vrai, prêchent le Christ aussi par envie et par un esprit de dispute, mais quelques-uns aussi de bonne volonté;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Etliche zwar predigen Christum auch aus Neid und Streit, etliche aber auch aus gutem Willen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quidam quidem et propter invidiam et contentionem: quidam autem et propter bonam voluntatem Christum prædicant: