Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Philippians 1:18

Textus Receptus:
τι γαρ πλην παντι τροπω ειτε προφασει ειτε αληθεια χριστος καταγγελλεται και εν τουτω χαιρω αλλα και χαρησομαι

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

Comments:
notwithstanding: Paul's rejoicing is neither in ignorance nor as a result of the sin of those who preach Christ out of ill motives. The adverb here is used as an adversative to make the point that his rejoicing is in spite of the evil done. Parallel to the note on verse 15 in the context of Romans 6:1-2, that Paul rejoices in good in no way excuses evil.

in pretense, or in truth: The Greek word for "pretense" implies that something seems (or shines) outwardly. In other words, there is a facade. Paul's charge for Timothy to be "unfeigned" warns every preacher to avoid this kind of hypocrisy. 1 Timothy 1:5 ("an-hypocritos"). The Greek word for truth is composed of the negative particle and a word ("lanthano") which means "unwitting" or "unaware." Truth is transparency--that which is without a facade.

Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice: To live in a world without evil is not an option for Paul, or anyone else. But to think and act on good instead of evil is, as he commands in this very letter, in Philippians 4:8.

Paraphrase:
So what should I do? Should I worry that some are doing evil? No. I will not focus on whether Christ is being preached hypocritically or honestly. Instead, I will think on and rejoice in the fact that Christ is being preached. Then, no matter why or what they do, I will have reason to rejoice.

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