Was Paul smiling?

[1Timothy115]

When Paul was in prison in Rome he said, “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18

To what extent could we apply Paul's statement in our interaction with others and in situations we find ourselves?

[SureWord]

1 hour ago, 1Timothy115 said:

When Paul was in prison in Rome he said, “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18

To what extent could we apply Paul's statement in our interaction with others and in situations we find ourselves?

We have to be careful in judging someone's motives in their service of God especially a preacher's. Paul was happy Christ was being preached no matter their motive.

This is a difficult thing to do but we need to be careful not to, as the old saying goes, throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[1Timothy115]

11 hours ago, 1Timothy115 said:

When Paul was in prison in Rome he said, “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18

To what extent could we apply Paul's statement in our interaction with others and in situations we find ourselves?

 

10 hours ago, SureWord said:

We have to be careful in judging someone's motives in their service of God especially a preacher's. Paul was happy Christ was being preached no matter their motive.

This is a difficult thing to do but we need to be careful not to, as the old saying goes, throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Judgment of motive aside...it's the rejoicing when the name Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Christ is given that my question of 'interaction and situations' refers. We have much "pretence" spoken today, likely even more than in Paul's day. Are we extra-asserting when we hear Christ's name, or His Gospel given in pretence? Or do we rejoice that people may be inspired to seek more knowledge of the Christ who "is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him."? I call into question some of my own asserted statements from the past as well as those of others and we're not even in prison

[Pastor Scott Markle]

Philippians 1:14-18 -- "And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.  What then?  Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."

First, let us recognize that the preaching about which the apostle Paul rejoiced in Philippians 1:18 was indeed the true preaching of Christ.  It was NOT the preaching of a false gospel or of some false doctrine.  In other places throughout his Holy Spirit inspired writings, the apostle Paul clearly condemns the preaching of falsehood, either of a false gospel or of false doctrine.  Therefore, in this context we may recognize that the doctrine about Christ which was being preaching, in which the apostle Paul was rejoicing, was TRUE DOCTRINE.

Second, let us recognize that the apostle Paul did NOT hesitate to "judge" the false motivations in some of those preachers.  Under inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, the apostle clearly stated, "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife."  Furthermore, he added the explanation, "The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds."  Based upon what we find throughout the New Testament Scriptures concerning the attitudes and motivations of envy, strife, contention, and insincerity, the apostle was certainly expressing a "judgment" about the attitudes and motivations of these preachers.  Indeed, he was NOT justifying their attitudes and motivations in any way.  Rather, he was clearly indicating that their attitudes and motivations, at least in relation to the apostle himself, were definitely ungodly and unrighteous.  As such, he was clearly indicating that their character was ungodly and unrighteous.

Third, let us recognize from the above two points that the apostle Paul was NOT rejoicing in the ungodly, unrighteous attitudes and motivations of envy, strife, contention, and insincerity among some.  As for myself, I am quite certain that the apostle was deeply grieved by these ungodly, unrighteous motivations among these preachers.  Indeed, I am quite certain that he was spiritually grieved by their offense against the Lord God, and even personally grieved by their offense against himself.  Yet in spite of these ungodly, unrighteous attitudes and motivations among these preachers, the apostle still DID rejoice - specifically because the doctrine about Christ that they were preaching was TRUTH.  He did not and could not rejoice in their ungodliness of attitude, for godly charity does NOT rejoice in iniquity (see 1 Corinthians 13:6a); but he did and could rejoice in their preaching of truth, for godly charity DOES rejoice in the truth (see 1 Corinthians 13:6b).

[1Timothy115]

5 hours ago, Pastor Scott Markle said:

  Yet in spite of these ungodly, unrighteous attitudes and motivations among these preachers, the apostle still DID rejoice - specifically because the doctrine about Christ that they were preaching was TRUTH.  He did not and could not rejoice in their ungodliness of attitude, for godly charity does NOT rejoice in iniquity (see 1 Corinthians 13:6a); but he did and could rejoice in their preaching of truth, for godly charity DOES rejoice in the truth (see 1 Corinthians 13:6b).

Thank you for the thoughtful analysis. As I stated before, Paul rejoiced in the name of Jesus Christ and His Gospel being preached. Certainly, Paul did not rejoice in iniquity, unrighteousness, or any of the other scripturally rebuked twisting of the Gospel. The fact remained Paul rejoiced in Christ's name preached and with it the Gospel of Christ.

Personal thought...
I might guess those "supposing to add affliction to my bonds" were using scriptural rebukes of sinfulness and unrighteousness to cause contempt for Paul in prison. In his state of confinement to possibly even identify Him with ungodliness or untruthfulness. However, using the scriptures truth and affirming Jesus's identity as the Christ, very God, would cause me to laugh at them today and most likely Paul to rejoice in prison. Of course, this would be speculation on my part.