Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Philippians 1:18 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 18. 18What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Paul rejoices that Christ is truly proclaimed without pretending that corrupt motives are acceptable.
Read It With
- Philippians 1:15–18
The contrasting motives of the preachers explain both what Paul rejects and why he can still rejoice that Christ is proclaimed.
Why This Verse Appears Here
After distinguishing loving and selfish preachers, Paul explains why their mixed motives do not control his joy: the true message about Christ is still being announced.
What This Verse Is Not Saying
Philippians 1:18 does not approve envy, rivalry, selfish ambition, or every message merely because someone uses Christian language.
What Remains True
Joy in the spread of truth can coexist with honest rejection of the corrupt motives of some who speak it.
How It Can Shape Life
- Evaluate both message and motive carefully, refusing to excuse manipulation while remaining glad when Christ is truthfully proclaimed.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read Philippians 1:12–26 — Prison Has Not Stopped the GospelSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: The KJV wording and immediate English context for Philippians 1:12–26.
Exact location: eBible/CrossWire eng-kjv2006 USFM, source files dated 2026-08-19, Philippians 1; archive and normalized-corpus SHA-256 values are recorded in the library policy.
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: The critically edited Greek wording and punctuation used as the base text for this passage.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/Phil.txt, Philippians 1, verses within Philippians 1:12–26.
Open the Philippians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Philippians with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Material English translation choices, syntax notes, and textual variants identified for this passage.
Exact location: NET Bible, Philippians 1, translator and textual notes attached to the verses in Philippians 1:12–26.
Open NET Philippians 1 ↗