Philippians 1:18 is one of those classic texts that many use to justify or not blame serious errors in the modern evangelical movement, but does this text give a place to that? At the end of the day we want to be biblical, if the text accommodates it is fine, but if it is not better to review our ways, because they asked Augustus Nicodemus about that and he gave the following answer on Facebook:
A friend on Twitter asked me if Philippians 1:18 would not justify the gospel gospel and the gospel spectacle, I think he had in mind the Globe Gospel Festival and the hypothetical balloon soap opera with an evangelical heroine.
For those who do not remember, Paul says the following in Philippians 1:15-18:
“Some truly proclaim Christ out of envy and conflict; others, however, do so willingly; these, out of love, knowing that I am in charge of defending the gospel; those, however, preach christ, out of discord, without sincerity, believing in causing tribulations to my chains; But what does it matter, since Christ, in any case, preaches himself, either to pretend or to the truth, I am glad, yes, will I always rejoice?(Philippians 1: 15-18).
The popular interpretation of this passage, especially paul’s phrase in verse 18, “But what does it matter?Since Christ, in any case, preaches himself, either to pretend or to the truth, I rejoice, yes, will I always rejoice?”is that for the Apostle the important thing was that the gospel be preached, regardless of reason or method, then the conclusion is that we can and should use all resources, methods, means, strategies, people, whatever their motivation, preach to Jesus. -Christ. That, therefore, we cannot criticize, condemn or judge whoever speaks of Christ, much less his intentions and methodology. It’s all right.
All right, then. But wait, under what circumstances did Paul say these words?If I am not mistaken, Paul was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote this letter to the Philippians; he was accused by the Jews of being a rebel, a pervert of public order, who proclaimed another emperor besides Caesar.
When the Jews who accused Paul were summoned to the Roman authorities to explain these accusations they were making against him, they said something like this: “Lord Justice, this man Paul has spread everywhere that this Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God. , who was born of a virgin, who died for our sins and who was resurrected on the third day, and who sits at the right hand of God, having become Lord of all; He also says that this Lord forgives and saves all who believe in him, without the works of the law. Lord Justice, this is a direct attack on the emperor, because only Caesar is Lord. Is this man worthy of death?
In making these accusations, the Jews, in Paul’s own words, “proclaimed Christ out of envy and conflict?”Out of discord, without sincerity, thinking that this would cause tribulations in my chains?(Verse 17).
In other words, Paul rejoiced that his accusers, in the end, of killing him ended up proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to the Roman Magistrates and Authorities.
This goes far from trying to use this passage to justify that Christians, in a country where they are free to preach, use worldly and murky means, alliances with the wicked, and at least controversial strategies to proclaim Christ. I’m sure Paul would never do it. Rejoice that ‘Christians’ proclaim the Gospel for murky reasons, in search of power, popularity, and money, as he himself said:
“For we do not exchange, like so many others, the word of God; Do we go in Christ to the presence of God, sincerely and by God Himself?(2C 2:17).
Therefore, having this ministry, according to the mercy that has been given to us, we do not faint; on the contrary, we reject things that, however shameful, hide, do not walk cunningly, nor alter the word of God; rather, do we recommend ourselves to the conscience of every man, in the presence of God, by the manifestation of truth?(2 Cor 4: 1-2).
“Now, the purpose of this warning is love that comes from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a faith without hypocrisy. Have some of these things been diverted, lost in frivolous loquacity, posing as masters of the law?, but don’t you understand what they’re saying or the issues on which they make bold claims?(1 Timothy 1: 5-7).
If someone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the strong words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching according to piety, he becomes impatient, understands nothing, but has mania for questions and disputes of words, from which envy is born. , provocation, defamation, evil suspicions, endless conflicts, by men whose spirit is perverted and deprived of the truth, assuming that piety is a source of profit?(1Ti 6: 3-5).
“I, brethren, when I came to you announcing the testimony of God, I did not do so with ostentation of language or wisdom, for I have decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and this crucified one. And it was in weakness, fear, and great tremor that I was among you. My word and preaching were not a persuasive language of wisdom, but a demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that your faith is not based on human wisdom, but on the power of God?( 1 Cor 2: 1-5).
Therefore, to use Philippians 1:18 to justify this public trivialization of the gospel is to use out-of-context text as a pretext.