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Philippians 1 · a question people ask

"What does it matter?" (1:18). How can the letter rejoice when some preach Christ out of envy?

In the text

The verse goes on in its own words: "Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice." (1:18). It rejoices that Christ is proclaimed. It doesn't call the envy or the strife good, and these notes say no more than the verse says and apply it to no preacher today.

The verses

“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.”
Philippians 1:18 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Philippians 1

Philippians 1: Partners in the Good News

Philippians 1 has bonds three times and chains once, the same Greek noun each time (1:7, 1:13, 1:14, 1:16), and still says "the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News" (1:12). Of Christ proclaimed it says, "I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice." (1:18).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions