Would like to know your thoughts on this.
I got confused with Paul’s statement. Is it really okay to have wrong motives as we preach the gospel?
Maybe I’m missing something. I’m still learning and would appreciate anyone who could help me understand this. Thanks so much! š
Philippians 1:15-18 (NIV)
I’m no biblical scholar, but it seems as though Paul is trying to help the Philippians not to get caught up in HOW the Gospel is being shared. He’s not saying that it’s okay, but he’s saying that to bother yourself with investigating why others are preaching the gospel and trying to police them, would cause you to lose track of the fact that the gospel is being preached.
The gospel will reach people regardless of the motives of the one who shares it.
The power of the Gospel is in the Gospel, not in the person sharing it. Ultimately God works how He works and can use any spreading of the Gospel to save souls
The gospel is objective truth. As such it does not matter what one’s motives are when the truth is proclaimed – our motive does not change the objective content of the gospel. However, I doubt (my opinion) that the proclamation of the gospel from wrong motive serves to incur any reward from God.
There is a lot in that passage. Remember Paul is writing Philippians while in prison. His ministry was plagued by Judaizers, and what Paul sarcastically called āsuper-apostlesā.
Everyone knew Paul was in prison, and this was their time to take power or corrupt the Gospel how they saw fit.
Paulās point here (he is aware of the judiazers and those taking advantage of his imprisonment) is that the will of God is so strong, even when other preach for the wrong reason, the true Gospel always comes out. He is always happy for the true gospel no matter his circumstances.
And no, it is not ok to preach for the wrong reasons. James 3:1 tells us teacher will be judged more severely.
Paul is not saying that it is ok to have wrong motives. Paul is not addressing those people at all.
I see a starving man. I see a pridefull rich guy come and feed him, give him money and clothes, job, and a place to live.
The rich guy does it to got attention and awards.
I am glad the poor guy did not starve to death.
That was how Paul was talking. His gladness was the people hear the Gospel.
He did not talk about how he would prefer that they preached out of love for Christ.
Paul was putting Christ before himself, thatās all. When he says that some preach out of envy and rivalry, he means envy for him and rivalry with him. So in this verse heās saying he doesnāt care, heās not letting that bother him, because whatās more important to him is that the message of Christ is being preached
Regardless of men’s actions and motivations, God will be glorified.
wrong motives make division in the univeral curch…
if you preacher so beware of what motive of preaching..
if you lay,..dont get fooled around so quickly becaused such preaching….go study harder…??
Donāt judge the motives of another church leader if they are not teaching false doctrine or committing crimes. Just be glad the Word of God is so powerful people get saved and anointed by the power of the Word not the perfect righteousness of the preacher or evangelist or healer. The wheat and weeds will be separated one day. Donāt judge Benny Henn and Joel Olsteen, for example. Mind your own business and calling. Live and let live. Thank God people are encountering Christ. Stop the slurs! Such does not edify or build the Church in love!
I don’t think he was condoning it, rather he was saying at least the gospel was getting out and he was rejoicing for the end result despite the motive being one of spite toward himself. It appears the issue isn’t on any old motive but was due to some sort of problem the preachers had with him. I don’t know if this could be applied to today’s teachers, however I do know some Christians who became saved through seemingly self-serving preachers. They now do not approve or listen to them go figure lol
Yes the Bible is always right
It won’t get you to heaven, the wrong motives (many will say to me Lord Lord), but at least he’s being preached…
Hi. Think about the context. The motives were to discredit Paul. If Christ is preached with the intention of discrediting Paul, he was quite happy. Paul believed in predestination, and those free will saved by human choise tried to discredit Paul, but they still taught Christ
(?)
Think of a wife who shares the gospel with her unbelieving husband to come to Jesus so he can be a better husband. As she matures in her own faith, she would know see her selfish motive but God can use her at every stage to reach the husband.
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