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"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife..."

Text: Philippians 1:15

DETRACTORS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL

The apostle Paul had many brethren who loved him. The Philippians were among a group of brethren who stood with him through thick and thin. In the following text we catch a glimpse of those who were detractors of the apostle Paul.

“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife,
and some also from goodwill:
The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely,
supposing to add affliction to my chains;
but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed
for the defense of the gospel.”
Philippians 1:15-17

1. The enemies of the apostle Paul

a) They too “preached Christ”.

b) But they had their own agenda.

i) They preached out of envy at Paul’s success.

ii) They preached out of strife hoping to outdo Paul.

iii) They preached because of selfish ambition.

iv) They thought that they would upset Paul who was in prison by their “success” in preaching the gospel.

v) They seemed to have approached the preaching of the gospel from the standpoint of professionalism.

2. The faithful friends of Paul

a) They followed Paul’s example.

b) They had nothing but goodwill in their hearts towards Paul.

i) They would never harm his name.

ii) They would also never harm his ministry.

c) They preached out of a love.

i) For the Gospel.

ii) For the people.

iii) For the apostle Paul.

iv) They admired and loved Paul because they believed that God had indeed appointed him to defend the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.