Philippians 1 · Verse 17

Philippians 1:17

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

Philippians 1:17 in other translations

BSBThe former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.
WEBbut the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
ASVbut the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds.
YLTand the other out of love, having known that for defence of the good news I am set:
DARBYbut those out of contention, announce the Christ, not purely, supposing to arouse tribulation for my bonds.
BBEBut those are preaching Christ in a spirit of competition, not from their hearts, but with the purpose of giving me pain in my prison.
WebsterBut the other from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.

What does Philippians 1:17 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…

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Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. But the other of love. From pure motives, and from sincere affection to me.

Knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. They believe that I am an ambassador from God. They regard me as unjustly imprisoned, and while I am disabled, they are willing to aid me in the great cause to which my life is devoted. To alleviate his sorrows, and to carry forward the great cause to defend which he was particularly appointed, they engaged in the work which he could not now do, and went forth to vindicate the gospel, and to make its claims better known. Coverdale renders this, "for they know that I lie here for the defence of the gospel." So Piscator, Michaelis, and Endius render it, supposing that the meaning is, that he lay in prison for the defence of the gospel, or as a consequence of his efforts to defend it. But this is not in accordance with the usual meaning of the Greek word, κειμαι. It means to lie, and in the perf. pass. to be laid, set, placed. If the apostle had referred to his being in prison, he would have added that fact to the statement made. The sense is, that he was appointed to be a defender of the gospel, and that they being well convinced of this, went forth to promulgate and defend the truth. That fact was one of Paul's chief consolations while he was thus in confinement.

(+) "set" "placed"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 The other of love - Through a sincere desire, not only to make known the way of salvation to the people, but also to vindicate and help the apostle, because they considered him as appointed by God to preach and defend the Gospel. The 16th and 17th verses are transposed by ABDEFG, and several others; the Syriac, Arabic of Erpen, Coptic, Sahidic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, Itala, and several of the fathers. On this evidence Griesbach transposed them in his edition.

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…

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Cross references for Philippians 1:17

  • Philippians 2:3

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

  • 2 Timothy 1:11-12

    Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:16-17

    For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

  • 2 Timothy 4:6-7

    For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

  • Galatians 2:7-8

    But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

  • Luke 21:14

    Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

  • 1 Timothy 2:7

    Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

  • Acts 26:1

    Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

  • 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.

  • 2 Timothy 4:16

    At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

  • Acts 26:24

    And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

  • Acts 22:1

    Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that.
7; Ro 1:13-17; 1Co 9:16,17; Ga 2:7,8; 1Ti 2:7; 2Ti 1:11,12; 4:6,7
Lu 21:14; Ac 22:1; 26:1,24; 2Ti 4:16; *Gr:

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

Context

  • 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.

  • Philippians 1:18

    What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Read all of Philippians 1

Philippians 1:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Pero los otros por amor, sabiendo que soy puesto por la defensa del evangelio.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		ceux-là annoncent le Christ par esprit de parti, non pas purement, croyant susciter de la tribulation pour mes liens.
German
Elberfelder 1871		jene aus Streitsucht verkündigen Christum nicht lauter, indem sie meinen Banden Trübsal zu erwecken gedenken.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quidam autem ex contentione Christum annuntiant non sincere, existimantes pressuram se suscitare vinculis meis.