Philippians 1:15 says that some people preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, while others preach him out of genuine goodwill. Paul is not endorsing the wrong motives. He is noting a painful reality in the church of his day and then refusing to let it decide whether the gospel gets spread. The words come from the apostle Paul, who wrote this letter to the believers in Philippi while he was in prison, and they describe fellow Christians who were active in ministry even though their hearts were not in the right place.
Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
Philippians 1:15 (WEB)
What Philippians 1:15 Means
The verse begins with “Some indeed preach Christ,” which tells us the activity itself is not in question. Preaching Christ is good, and these people were doing it. The phrase “out of envy and strife” names the motive behind part of it. Envy is resentment at someone else’s position or success, and strife is the quarrelsome spirit that wants to win an argument or outdo a rival. Paul is saying that some of the people publicly proclaiming Jesus were doing so partly to compete with him, perhaps hoping to gain status or to stir up trouble while he sat in chains.
The second half, “and some also out of good will,” describes others who preached with a generous and loving heart. Paul does not tell us in this verse what the proper response should be, but the surrounding paragraph makes clear that he rejoices that the message is going forward. The verse does not promise that every motive will be pure or that God approves of mixed ones. It simply observes that the message of Christ can travel even through imperfect messengers, and it honestly admits that some believers were not acting from love.
The Context of Philippians 1:15
The letter to the Philippians was written by Paul, traditionally during his imprisonment, to a church he had founded in the Roman colony of Philippi in northern Greece. Paul writes warmly to these believers, thanking them for their partnership in the gospel and encouraging them toward unity and joy. Chapter 1 opens with his thanksgiving and prayer for them, and then turns to his own circumstances, which were far from comfortable.
Just before verse 15, Paul explains that his imprisonment has actually helped the gospel advance. The imperial guard has come to know that his chains are for Christ, and many other believers have grown bolder in speaking the word without fear. Verse 15 then introduces two groups of preachers, and verses 16 and 17 spell out their different motives more clearly. Read in that setting, verse 15 is not a stray comment about bad church leaders. It is part of Paul’s larger point that God is working through Paul’s suffering, and that even rivalry cannot stop the good news from reaching people.
Key Phrases in Philippians 1:15
Philippians 1:18
What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.
(WEB)
In the verse right after the one under study, Paul declares that whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and he rejoices in it. This shows the full shape of his response: he refuses to let rivalry steal his joy, choosing to rejoice that the gospel is advancing even when the messengers are mixed.
1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.
(WEB)
Paul reminds the Corinthian church that he planted and Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. This connects to Philippians 1:15 by reminding us that the results of preaching belong to God, not to the one who speaks, which frees us from competing for credit.
A Short Prayer From Philippians 1:15
Lord, you know the hidden places of my heart, including the places where envy or the desire to be noticed still stir. Cleanse my motives and give me a generous spirit toward those who serve you alongside me. Let my love for Christ and for your people be the reason I speak and serve, rather than the wish to outdo anyone else. Where others are doing good work with mixed hearts, help me rejoice that your gospel is going forward and pray for them with grace. Thank you that your message is not limited by my weakness or anyone else’s. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the one who is proclaimed. Amen.
