Paul’s imprisonment has served the gospel’s cause
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
One negative note, unfortunately, does creep into this generally positive picture. Those who were now proclaiming the gospel in Rome with such eagerness, the apostle says, did so with two different motives. Some proclaimed Christ out of genuine good will. They truly loved the gospel, and they loved and respected the Lord’s apostle. They understood what the Lord was accomplishing through Paul, and they were genuinely encouraged by the apostle’s example.
Others, however, proclaimed Christ out of envy and rivalry. It seems that some of the Christians who had been in Rome before Paul arrived in their city became jealous of the apostle’s gifts and of all the special attention he received. Hadn’t they, after all, been working harder and longer for Christ in Rome? Why should Paul now get all the attention, all the “glory”? Shouldn’t they get some too?
So they continued to take advantage of the favorable atmosphere for proclaiming Christ that the apostle’s presence in the city provided, but these Christians did their proclaiming of Christ with a selfish spirit that was interested in their own honor. This envious spirit may not always have been evident, but it was there, and it pained Paul that anyone should preach the gospel out of anything less than pure and loving motives.
Yet Paul was able to keep everything in perspective. He did not excuse those who were preaching from false motives and trying to win applause at his expense, but he did not pity himself either. Paul realized that the truly important thing was that the gospel was being preached. Someday some would have to answer to God about their false motives, but the Lord was using even those selfish believers, despite their motives, to proclaim Christ. Because Christ was being proclaimed and honored, Paul rejoiced.
What a sad thing it is when jealousy and envy spoil the relationship of believers working together for the Lord’s cause. “Professional jealousy” can exist between called church workers of differing abilities. Petty jealousies and rivalries may arise among church members, leading them to be quick to criticize and to work for the Lord and his church on earth in the spirit of envy and strife.
We don’t like to admit that such selfish motives creep into the hearts of us all, but we know that it is true, so we need to guard our hearts against such a spirit. We need to strive against the desire for personal recognition that so often spoils even our best efforts for our Lord and his church. At the same time, let us daily seek from our Lord the pure hearts that will enable us to serve him and his church on earth in the spirit of genuine love and good will. It is also comforting to know that the Lord can take even those actions of ours that flow from less-than-pure motives and use them in the service of his kingdom.