“The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:”
The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel — those from goodwill preach from agapē (divine love) and understand Paul's imprisonment as strategic in God's plan (eidotes hoti keimai eis apologian tou euangeliou). 'Put here' (keimai) suggests divine placement, not accident. They see Paul's suffering as purposeful, which secures their own motive in love. Their understanding of his chains as defensive of the gospel aligns with the letter's theme of suffering as evangelistic.
Church Fathers on Philippians 1:16
“The one proclaim Christ of faction not sincerely.” That is, not with pure motives, nor from regard to the matter itself; but why? “thinking to add affliction to my bonds.” As they think that I shall thus fall into greater peril, they add affliction to affliction. O cruelty! O devilish instigation! They saw him in bonds, and cast into prison, and still they envied him. They would increase his calamities, and render him subject to greater anger: well said he, “thinking,” for…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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