Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 1:15

"Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:" — Philippians 1:15 (ASV)

Not all of these newly encouraged “preachers” in Rome, however, were responding with the highest of motives. Some were proclaiming the message of Christ “out of envy and rivalry.” In the light of vv.16–17, it is clear that their wrong spirit was directed against Paul. It is not difficult to imagine that even those jealous of Paul could well have been intimidated at first by his imprisonment and have kept quiet to protect themselves.

Who were these disappointing preachers? Some have identified them as the Judaizers of 3:1–16. But one can hardly imagine Paul commending such people for speaking “the word of God” (v.14) and “preach[ing] Christ” (vv.17–18) and then later denouncing them so strenuously (3:2). Furthermore, in Paul’s view, Judaizers preached another gospel (Galatians 1:6–9). More likely, Paul was referring to a part of the group mentioned in 1:14. They were doctrinally orthodox, but at the same time mean and selfish, using the occasion of Paul’s confinement to promote themselves. Envious of Paul, they stirred up discord within the Christian community (see comment on v.17).

Others, to their credit, were moved by feelings of goodwill for Paul. Their renewed vigor in proclaiming Christ was a true joining with Paul in the great enterprise of the Gospel.