Philippians 1 · Verse 16

Philippians 1:16

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

Philippians 1:16, King James Version

Philippians 1:16 in other translations

BSB	The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
WEB	The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;
ASV	the one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel;
YLT	the one, indeed, of rivalry the Christ do proclaim, not purely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds,
DARBY	These indeed out of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the glad tidings;
BBE	These do it from love, conscious that I am responsible for the cause of the good news:
Webster	The one preach Christ from contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

What does Philippians 1:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Philippians 1:16-17

16-17. The oldest manuscripts transpose these verses, and read, "These (last) indeed out of love (to Christ and me), knowing (the opposite of 'thinking' below) that I am set (that is, appointed by God, 1Th 3:3) for the defense of the Gospel (Php 1:7, not on my own account). But the others out of contention (or rather, 'a factious spirit'; 'cabal'; a spirit of intrigue, using unscrupulous means to compass their end; 'self-seeking' [Alford]) proclaim (the Greek is not the same as that for 'preach,' but, 'announce') Christ, not sincerely (answering to 'but of a spirit of intrigue,' or 'self-seeking'). Literally, 'not purely'; not with a pure intention; the Jewish leaven they tried to introduce was in order to glorify themselves (Ga 6:12, 13; however, see on Php 1:18), thinking (but in vain) to raise up (so the oldest manuscripts read) tribulation to my bonds." Their thought was, that taking the opportunity of my being laid aside, they would exalt themselves by their Judaizing preaching, and depreciate me and my preaching, and so cause me trouble of spirit in my bonds; they thought that I, like themselves, sought my own glory, and so would be mortified at their success over mine. But they are utterly mistaken; "I rejoice" at it (Php 1:18), so far am I from being troubled at it.

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 16. The one preach Christ of contention. So as to form parties, and to produce strifes among his professed followers.

Not sincerely. Not purely--αγνως--not with pure motives or intentions. Their real aim is not to preach Christ, but to produce difficulty and to stir up strife. They are ambitious men, and they have no real regard for the welfare of the church and the honour of religion.

Supposing to add affliction to my bonds. To make my trial the greater. How they did this is unknown. Perhaps they were those who were strongly imbued with Jewish notions, and who felt that his course tended to diminish respect for the law of Moses, and who now took this opportunity to promote their views, knowing that this would be particularly painful to him when he was not at, liberty to meet them openly, and to defend his own opinions. It is possible also that they may have urged that Paul himself had met with a signal reproof for the course which he had taken, and, as a consequence, was now thrown into chains. Bloomfield suggests that it was the opinion of many of the ancient expositors that they endeavoured to do this by so preaching as to excite the fury of the multitude or the rulers against Paul, and to produce increased severity in his punishment. But the way in which they did this is unknown, and conjecture is altogether useless.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 16 Preach Christ of contention - The Judaizing teachers, they also preach Christ; they acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ or promised Messiah, and preach him as such. Not sincerely - Ουχ ἁγνως· Not chastely, garbling the Gospel; not speaking the whole truth, but just what served their purpose; and at the same time they denounced the apostle as an enemy to the Divine institutions, because he spoke against circumcision.

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 →

Cross references for Philippians 1:16

2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 2:17
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
Philippians 1:10
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Philippians 1:12
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Psalms 69:26
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
Philippians 1:7
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Job 6:14
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
Job 16:4
I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

not sincerely.
10; 2Co 2:17; 4:1,2
supposing.
Job 6:14; 16:4; Ps 69:26

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

Context

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:
Philippians 1:17
But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Read all of Philippians 1

Philippians 1:16 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Los unos anuncian á Cristo por contención, no sinceramente, pensando añadir aflicción á mis prisiones;
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	ceux-ci par amour, sachant que je suis établi pour la défense de l’évangile;
German Elberfelder 1871	Diese aus Liebe, indem sie wissen, daß ich zur Verantwortung des Evangeliums gesetzt bin;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	quidam ex caritate, scientes quoniam in defensionem Evangelii positus sum.