Philippians – Do not be distracted by differences between manuscripts
03/12/22 07:36
‘Hey!’ a member of our little Bible study group remarks after hearing another member read Philippians 1:15-18, ‘your Bible is different from mine!’ Our leader quickly intervenes. ‘We won’t discuss what is original and what isn’t, now. Let us concentrate on the message.’ He has some experience in leading Bible study groups and does not want to spend another evening playing the referee between a ‘TR-camp’ (Textus Receptus) and a ‘CS-camp’ (Codex Sinaiticus).
It was probably on this level of different Christian camps within the Roman community of believers that we find envy and rivalry mentioned in this passage. Some preachers were, for selfish reasons, happy to see Paul in prison. It does not become clear from the text what exactly were their reasons to see Paul as a rival. For Paul it did not really matter. They preached Christ and if his imprisonment added to their zeal in preaching the gospel he was happy.
It is clear that ‘selfish ambition’ is contrary to the mind of Christ. God has to deal with it. I am convinced that preaching the gospel is most effective when it is done with a heart that has the same concern about a sinner’s destiny as Jesus had when He died for him. Likewise, with Bible study groups, we should do our best to formulate the most plausible interpretations, and at the same time and for that particular occasion discern (see Philipp. 1:9) what is most profitable for the group, or, as Paul would put it, for the advance of the gospel.
It was probably on this level of different Christian camps within the Roman community of believers that we find envy and rivalry mentioned in this passage. Some preachers were, for selfish reasons, happy to see Paul in prison. It does not become clear from the text what exactly were their reasons to see Paul as a rival. For Paul it did not really matter. They preached Christ and if his imprisonment added to their zeal in preaching the gospel he was happy.
It is clear that ‘selfish ambition’ is contrary to the mind of Christ. God has to deal with it. I am convinced that preaching the gospel is most effective when it is done with a heart that has the same concern about a sinner’s destiny as Jesus had when He died for him. Likewise, with Bible study groups, we should do our best to formulate the most plausible interpretations, and at the same time and for that particular occasion discern (see Philipp. 1:9) what is most profitable for the group, or, as Paul would put it, for the advance of the gospel.
