Of Love and Defense of the Gospel Philippians 1:17

As Paul the apostle listed several motives which brethren used to share the gospel, he knew that many of them shared out of envy and strife but some shared with good will. In chapter one and verse seventeen in his letter to the Philippians, Paul shares another reason that some of them declared the good news of Jesus Christ. He wrote:

But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.

The verse begins, “But the other of love,...” Paul added to his list those who were sharing the gospel with a motive of “love” which is the Greek word “agape” which means “affection, good will, benevolence, brotherly love and unconditional love”. There were those who knew of Paul's imprisonment who were not telling others about Jesus from an ill standpoint but were sharing with others because they loved them.

The verse goes on to say, “...knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.” These brothers knew that Paul the apostle was “set” which means “to be (by God's intent) set, i.e. destined, appointed by God”, however Paul was not “set” or “appointed” by God for no reason. Paul was set “for the defense”, which is the Greek word “apologia” from which we get our English word “apologetics”, “of the gospel”. In other words, these brothers who preached the gospel with love knew that Paul's destiny to share the gospel of Jesus Christ was determined by God. Paul knew these brothers were familiar with his verbal defense of the gospel, and they too were determined to continue to share with others even though Paul was in prison because of his apologetics.

Do we know others who share the gospel and have paid a price for doing so? Have we ever shared the gospel ourselves and paid a price? These brothers of whom Paul spoke shared from a correct motive, and they knew it was determined by God that Paul share in whatever defensive way was necessary to bring people to Jesus Christ. What about us? Do others know we are “set for the defense of the gospel”? As we ponder the words of Paul, perhaps our prayer should be, “Heavenly Father, help us to know your appointment for our lives, and may we serve you with the motive of agape love in the same manner in which Paul's brothers shared”. May the Lord bless us with His determination to do so.

Next time Paul shares his conclusion about how and why these men share, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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