Philippians 1:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 1:12-20

We see here the care the apostle takes to prevent their being offended at his sufferings. He was now a prisoner at Rome; this might be a stumbling-block to those who had received the gospel by his ministry. They might be tempted to think, If this doctrine were indeed of God, God would not suffer one who was so active and instrumental in preaching and propagating it to be thrown by as a despised broken vessel. They might be shy of owning this doctrine, lest they should be involved in the same... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 1:15-18

1:15-18 Some in their preaching of Christ are actuated by envy and strife; some by goodwill. The one preach from love, because they know that I am lying here for the defence of the gospel; the other proclaim Christ for their own partisan purposes, not with pure motives, but thinking to make my bonds gall me all the more. What then? The only result is that in every way, whether as a cloak for other purposes, or whether in truth, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice--yes, and I will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:17

But the other of love ,.... Those that were truly brethren in the Lord, who had received the grace of God in truth, to whom the Gospel was come in power, and who had a spiritual and experimental knowledge of Christ, and of the mysteries of his grace; these preached Christ of love, "out of the love of him", as the Ethiopic version reads; that is, out of love to Christ, who to them was exceeding precious, altogether lovely, the chiefest among ten thousands, and their hearts being hot and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:17

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. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:17

Verse 17 17That for the defense. Those who truly loved Christ reckoned that it would be a disgrace to them if they did not associate themselves with Paul as his companions, when maintaining the cause of the gospel; and we must act in such a manner, as to give a helping hand, as far as possible, to the servants of Christ when in difficulty. (74) Observe, again, this expression — for the defense of the gospel For since Christ confers upon us so great an honor, what excuse shall we have, if we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-18

The apostle's own circumstances. His holy unselfishness. He measures his condition, not by its present hardships or comforts, but by the facilities which it gives for spreading the knowledge of Christ. I. HIS IMPRISONMENT HAS TURNED TO THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL . It was not to have been expected; the area of his preaching was contracted; he himself was suffering and confined. But God makes "all things work together for good to them that love him;" even things... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-18

A grand principle and a splendid example. "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-20

The gospel promoted by persecution. Paul, having stated the substance of his intercession for the Philippian saints, proceeds to show how his apparently unfortunate imprisonment was being providentially overruled for what they had so much at heart, the furtherance of the gospel. It is most instructive to notice how his great heart transmutes adversity into gold, and sees encouragement where others would glean only despair. I. AS A NOTABLE PRISONER , PAUL WAS DRAWING THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-30

Thoughts suggested by his captivity. I. PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL IN ROME . 1 . Generally. "Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel." It might have been expected that his imprisonment, which is principally referred to, would have fallen out to the hindrance of the gospel. But Paul would have his Philippian brethren know, for their comfort and confirmation, that, though to some extent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:15-18

A significant difference among the apostle's brethren. They were all actively engaged in preaching the gospel, but they were not actuated by the same motives. I. THE DIFFERENT SPIRIT OF THE TWO CLASSES OF PREACHERS . "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will." The one class were actuated by a genuine good will to Christ and his apostle. The other class were actuated by envy and discord. They envied the popularity of the apostle... read more

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