What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
18 But in every way. As the wicked disposition of those of whom he has spoken might detract from the acceptableness of the doctrine, “Pouuoit diminuer l’authorite de la doctrine;” — “Might diminish the authority of the doctrine.” he says that this ought to be reckoned of great importance, that they nevertheless promoted the cause of the gospel, whatever their disposition might be.
You might stumble thinking that if this doctrine were truly of God, He would not cast His instrument aside like a broken vessel. But a strange chemistry of Providence extracts great good from great evil: the gospel advances though I am confined, for the word of God cannot be imprisoned as my body is.
AI summary
Commenting on Philippians 1:12-20
What then? notwithstanding every way,.... What follows from hence? what is to be concluded from all this? what is to be thought or said in this case? this, that notwithstanding these brethren acted on those different principles, and with those different views: whether in pretence: of love to Christ, zeal for the Gospel, and concern for the good of souls; though their real views were...