“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:”
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill — Paul acknowledges schism in motivation among Christian preachers, a stark realism about mixed motives in the church. Envy (phthonos) and rivalry (eris) are the vices opposing the unity and partnership he prizes. Yet he does not condemn outright; different motivations coexist in the Christian community. This section prepares for his radical acceptance in verses 18.
Church Fathers on Philippians 1:15
“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife, and some also of good will.” And what this means is worth enquiry. Since Paul was under restraint, many of the unbelievers, willing to stir up more vehemently the persecution from the Emperor, themselves also preached Christ, in order that the Emperor's wrath might be increased at the spread of the Gospel, and all his anger might fall on the head of Paul. From my bonds then two lines of action have sprung. One party took…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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