What then?: ti gar?:  (Ro 3:9; 6:15; 1Co 10:19; 14:15)

Such being the case, how does it affect me? This essential thing Paul sees in spite of all their envy and selfishness is that Christ is openly publicly proclaimed. Paul's attitude towards his persecutors indicates he was more concerned with the salvation of the lost than with vindication for himself. This is the same attitude we find in Jesus in Php2:5-8 where He laid down His holy privileges that men might be redeemed.

ONLY THAT IN EVERY WAY WHETHER IN PRETENSE OR IN TRUTH CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED: hoti panti tropo, eite prophasei eite aletheia|, Christos kataggelletai, (3SPPI) (Phil 1:14-17; Mt 23:14; Mk 12:40) (Mk 9:38 39 40; Lu 9:45 9:50; 1Cor 15:11; 2Jn 1:9 1:10 1:11) (Daily Bread #1,  #2)

Pretense (4392) (prophasis from prophaíno = to appear before, be apparent <> pró = before + phaíno = to appear, to shine before) (Click word study on prophasis) refers to an ostensible presentation with an ulterior (Ulterior = going beyond what is openly said or shown and especially what is proper) motive which is often untrue.

Pretense refers to that which is professed rather than that which is one's heart intention or purpose.

Prophasis is an outward show or appearance, a pretense or pretext designed to cover one's real intent. Pretext is defined as the purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs and suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

The detractor's proclamation of Christ was from impure motives (cf 1Cor 4:5).

Paul didn't allow his circumstances to steal his joy and this is a lesson we all need to learn. To Paul what mattered most was that the truth of Christ was proclaimed and thus he made the volitional choice to rejoice, all the while learning how to be content in whatever circumstances he was in. Here we see that Paul would rejoice even if what motivated their proclamation of Christ was a desire to attack him. Paul's detractors preached the true gospel, and it had an impact for the

gospel is the power of God (not of wrongly motivated men) for salvation to everyone who believes. (see note Romans 1:16)

A selfishly motivated preacher can still be used of God, though not as much as he could be otherwise. The power of the gospel is more powerful than the package it comes in.

Note that the emphasis is on preaching Christ but if one deviates from that teaching John warns us that

Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. The one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting. (2Jn 1:9 1:10)

AND IN THIS I REJOICE. YES AND I WILL REJOICE: kai en touto chairo (1SPAI) alla kai charesomai (1SFPI):

Rejoice (5463) (chairo a primary verb) (Click word study of related word chara = joy) means to  to feel joy or great delight.

Rejoice is used to describe a little lamb skipping around for joy. It describes a physical change in your countenance. You can't fake this. It is a physical expression of joy and something that radiates to people around you. You can walk around and say that you are rejoicing but if it's not seen then you are not rejoicing.

Notice how Paul interweaves "joy" or "rejoice" through all 4 chapters (Click for all 12v) Note that "I rejoice" is in the Active Voice indicating it is a choice of his will to rejoice.

Robertson adds that the second "rejoice" is

volitive (i.e., involves a choice of one's will) use of the future indicative. Paul is determined to rejoice in spite of the efforts of the (opponents) to prod him to anger.

A good example to emulate but remember don't try this in your own strength but

allow yourself to be continually strengthened by the grace (sanctifying power to do supernaturally what I cannot do naturally) that is in Christ Jesus (see note 2 Timothy 2:1)

As Paul explained you will come to learn the secret that you

can do all things through Him who strengthens your heart and mind. (see note Philippians 4:3)

Paul wasn't concerned about himself because he knew he was expendable (cf note Philippians 2:3;  2:4). He also knew that God was his covenant defender and would vindicate him in due time for He Himself has said "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." (see note Romans 12:19). Paul was free to rejoice in the proclamation of the gospel, however base the motives of those proclaiming Christ the Lord. At least, they weren't preaching Buddha or some false god, but Christ.
 

Paul lived to see the gospel proclaimed--he didn't care who received the credit. That should be the attitude of every pastor, teacher, elder, deacon, leader, and layperson in the body of Christ. In all that he suffered Paul didn't quit, lash out, break down, or lose his joy. That's because the cause of Christ was being furthered and His name proclaimed. The truth about Lord Jesus was all he cared about. How could he manifest such an attitude? As alluded to above, it is only possible by reliance on the One Who said

My grace (transforming power, power to live a supernatural life) is sufficient (enough) for you, for (My) power (inherent ability) is perfected (made complete, brought to its intended goal) in (your) weakness (the way "up" in Christianity is "down"!) (2Cor 12:9,10)

Trials and slander cannot be handled in our flesh, but only when we are filled with (controlled by) the Spirit Who bring forth the fruit of joy under even the most adverse conditions. Who are you relying on today to give you the strength to forbear and bear up under when treated unjustly especially if it's someone in your own church?

When faced with difficult circumstances remember Nehemiah's exhortation

"Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Neh 8:10 & the result Neh 8:12) (Torrey's Topic "Joy")  

Bad circumstances increase (or mature) the joy of those who respond biblically because these afflictions lead to a deeper trust in the sovereignty of Almighty God. Joy derived from circumstances is fleeting, but joy derived from the Spirit of Christ is lasting. Paul refused to be downcast by the wrong motives of some. Paul’s joy was not tied to his circumstances or his critics but was from the LORD (cf. Ps4:7-8; Romans 12:12 [note]; 2Cor 6:10).

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Church Competition (Our Daily Bread): - Three churches, located on different corners of the same intersection, didn't get along together. One Sunday each of them opened their meeting with a rousing song service. It was a warm day and all the doors and windows were wide open. One congregation began singing the old hymn, "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?" The strains had barely faded away when the congregation across the street started singing, "No, Not One, No, Not One!" They had scarcely finished when the third church began singing, "Oh, That Will Be Glory for Me."

Of course, this is just a humorous story, but it reminds us that a spirit of divisive competition does exist among some churches. Naturally, we will want to support our own church, pray for it, and rejoice in its growth. But we must never feel self-satisfied or be critical of churches that have problems or are not growing. If there is a place for "competition", let it be to oppose those who deny scriptural fundamentals and the gospel. But if a church is true to God's Word and is winning people to Christ, regardless of its label, let's rejoice. That should be our attitude when faced with the competitive motives of envy and strife. Let's avoid church competition. - RDH  (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone;
Chosen of the Lord and precious,
Binding all the church in one.
-- Neale

The fruit of Christian unity grows out of our union with Christ

I KNOW THAT THIS WILL TURN OUT FOR MY DELIVERANCE: oida (1SRAI) gar hoti touto moi apobesetai (3SFMI) eis soterian: (Ro8:28;2Cor4:17 18 1Pet1:7, 1:8)

For (1063) (gar) is a conjunction basically introducing an explanation and here explains "why" Paul can "doubly" rejoice in v18

I Know (1492) (oida) in the perfect tense refers to Paul's firmly settled conviction and certainty that his present trials would turn out for his good because he knew that

God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (see note Romans 8:28) and that

momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison... for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2Cor 4:17 18)

Paul pondered present predicaments in light of his hope in the glory of God, for he knew

that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (see note Ro 8:18)

Deliverance (4991) (soteria from sozo = rescue from grave danger, heal, protect and preserve) (Click word study on soteria) refers to one's rescue but can also be rendered “well-being” or “escape” and thus presents several possible interpretations including Paul’s ultimate salvation; his deliverance from threatened execution; his vindication by the emperor’s ruling or his eventual release from prison.  Whatever Paul’s precise meaning, the key thought is that Paul knew his current distress was only temporary and that he would be delivered from it.

It is interesting that the phrase "this will turn out for my deliverance" is a word for word quote from the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew) of Job 13:16 which the NASB translates "This also will be my salvation". 

Job was a righteous man who suffered greatly, yet he was delivered because God always delivers the righteous. Job was convinced of his "deliverance" as he affirmed in (Job 19:26)

"Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God".

Job knew that either out of death or through death God would deliver him. Paul knew and trusted God's dealings with Job in the Old Testament and he knew he could trust Jehovah to deliver him even as He had Job. Like Job, Paul wasn't being chastened by God. He was confident his circumstances would work out for good whether he was released from prison, vindicated at his trial, delivered from execution, or passed into glory as a martyr for death to a believer is the ultimate most glorious deliverance. (meditate on these other OT verses on deliverance -  Ps 22:4-5,  v8; 31:1 33:18-19, 34:7 41:1).

THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS AND THE PROVISION OF THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST: dia tes humon deeseos kai epichoregias tou pneumatos Iesou Christou: (2Co 1:11 Ep 6:18 6:19) ("Spirit of Christ" Ro 8:9; Gal 4:6; 1Pe 1:11)

Paul was confident he would be delivered through the prayers of the saints (cf other examples of his dependence on & humility to seek prayer - see notes Romans 15:30, Ephesians 6:18; 6:19; , 1Thessalonians 5:25 Click Spurgeon's devotional on praying for the "Paul's" in our life). Paul knew the Word of God is effected through the sovereign will and purpose of God, and that God brings His purposes to pass in concert with the prayers of His children. He also knew that

"the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16)

Paul knew his beloved Philippians were actively interceding for his needs and this encouraged him greatly. Do you pray for your spiritual leaders regularly? Do they know you are sincerely supplicating for them and not just giving "lip service"? Send your pastor, teacher, elder or missionary an email today to let them know you have interceded at the "throne of grace" on their behalf.

Provision (2024) (epichoregia from epi = upon + choregeo = supply, furnish) (Click for word study on the verb epichoregeo) means literally to furnish or supply upon and refers to lavish or generous giving or furnishing abundantly not in a stingy manner.

In the present context epichoregia refers to the gift of God's Holy Spirit, Who was

"poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (see notes Titus 3:6; 3:7)

The root of epichoregia is the Greek choregia. In the ancient days in Greece at the great festivals the great dramatists like Euripides and Sophocles presented their plays; Greek plays all have a chorus; to equip and train a chorus was expensive, and public-spirited Greeks generously offered to defray the entire expenses of the chorus. (That gift is described by the word choregia.) Later, in war time, patriotic citizens gave free contributions to the state and choregia was used for this, too. In still later Greek, in the papyri, the word is common in marriage contracts and describes the support that a husband, out of his love, undertakes to give his wife. Choregia underlines the generosity of God, a generosity which is born of love, of which the love of a citizen for his city and of a man for his wife are dim suggestions.

The only other NT use of epichoregia is by Pa