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Verse
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Philippians 1:16
ESV The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
NIV The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
NASB the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
CSB These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
NLT They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News.
KJV The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
NKJV The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

What does Philippians 1:16 mean?

Paul says those who preach the gospel from proper motivations do so out of love. These individuals knew Paul was imprisoned specifically because he had upheld the gospel against those who opposed it. Paul had mentioned defending the gospel in verse 7. This gospel was so important that he mentions it six times in this first chapter alone. Paul will refer to Timothy serving with him in the gospel (Philippians 2:22), women and men who served with him in the gospel (Philippians 4:3), and mentions the "beginning of the gospel" (Philippians 4:15).

In 1 Peter 3:15 we are also taught, "In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." Believers are called both to present and defend Christianity effectively, and respectfully, to help bring people to faith in Christ and help equip believers to grow in their knowledge of God. Part of doing that, in truth, is doing so out of love and concern, not selfish ambition.
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