Rachel Workman: 12 And I want you to know, my dear
brothers and sisters,[c] that everything that has happened to me here has
helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole
palace guard,[d] knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of
my imprisonment, most of the believers[e] here have gained confidence and
boldly speak God’s message[f] without fear. God can and will use any
circumstance to fulfill his plan and bring glory to himself. Even when it seems
hopeless to us it's usable to God.
15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. This is as true today as it was then. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. I love how it says they intend to make the suffering more painful but it doesn't matter. Whatever harm man intends, God's message is still being preached and received. What can a mere man do to stand it God's way? God will just turn it around and use it for his Glory. It's a very good point to remember in today's world as we watch it start to unravel. God's still in control and he will use all things for His glory. No man can stop him or stand in his way.
15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. This is as true today as it was then. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. I love how it says they intend to make the suffering more painful but it doesn't matter. Whatever harm man intends, God's message is still being preached and received. What can a mere man do to stand it God's way? God will just turn it around and use it for his Glory. It's a very good point to remember in today's world as we watch it start to unravel. God's still in control and he will use all things for His glory. No man can stop him or stand in his way.
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John
Burnett: 12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that
my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so
that my [a]imprisonment in the cause
of Christ has become well known throughout the whole [b]praetorian guard and to
everyone else, 14 and that most of the [c]brethren, trusting in the
Lord because of my [d]imprisonment, have far more
courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be
sure, are preaching Christ even [e]from envy and strife, but
some also [f]from good will; 16 the
latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of
the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish
ambition [g]rather than from pure
motives, thinking to cause me distress in my [h]imprisonment. 18 What
then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is
proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for
I know that this will turn out for my [i]deliverance through your [j]prayers and the provision of
the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Paul was appointed for the
defense of the gospel and describes teachers who were proclaiming Christ out of
selfish ambition. Even in the early church, there were people who were
called to teach but compromised on the gospel. Paul was willing to die
and ended up in prison in his defense of the truth of the gospel. He did
not care how the truth made people feel or if they were entertained when they
came to hear him preach. Below is a blog, that I just happened to come
across yesterday, that describes the compromising characteristics of the church
that Paul was fighting during his ministry and the ways the church is
compromising today. Not much difference.
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Krista Cook: God can take negatives and turn them into good. Paul was
able to do so much for the cause of Christ - even while in chains! And
his example helped other Christians have more boldness to speak the truth.
We, too, ought to have this same boldness.
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Allen Michaels: 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has
happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As
a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone
else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my
chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and
dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Even though Paul was in
prison he saw it as one more opportunity to spread the Good News of Christ.
Paul realized that his current circumstances weren’t as important as what he
did with them. Paul reached out to the Roman soldiers who made up the palace
guard and encouraged those Christians who were afraid of persecution. How we
act in such situations will reflect what we believe, and whether or not the
situation improves, our faith will grow stronger.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and
rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of
love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The
former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that
they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But
what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from
false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes,
and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your
prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to
me will turn out for my deliverance. Paul had an amazingly
selfless attitude. He knew that some were preaching to build their own
reputations, taking advantage of Paul’s imprisonment to try to make a name for
themselves. Regardless of the motives of these preachers, Paul rejoiced that
the gospel was being preached. Some Christians serve for the wrong reasons.
Paul wouldn’t condone, nor does God excuse, their motives, but we should be
glad if God uses their message, regardless of their motives.
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