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The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (Philippians 1:16)

He states that one group proclaims the message of Christ purely out of love – for Paul, but mainly for Jesus Christ. They proclaim the truth out of love for Paul because they understand that he is in prison because of his apologia, his verbal defense of the gospel. Peter reminds us that we need to be ready at any time to give an apologia or verbal defense to anyone who asks the reason for our hope.^[1]

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The latter do it out of love. From genuine motives and heartfelt love to Paul, these ones are trying to break up the contention and division caused by the others who preach Christ from envy and strife.

Knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. Those working on behalf of Paul from good will out of love view him as an ambassador from God. They know that he has been unjustly imprisoned. Thus, while he cannot defend himself effectively, they are stepping in to defend him, his God-given authority, and his ministry. To relieve Paul’s sorrows and to continue defending the faith and the ministry to which Paul was appointed, they are involved in the work he cannot do at that moment. They are going forth to defend the gospel and make its message better known. Miles Coverdale[2] renders this, “for they know that I lie here for the defence of the gospel.” The Greek word (κεῖμαι keimai) means to be determined (set), to be or become established, set, or appointed conclusively and authoritatively. The sense here is that the apostle Paul was appointed as the defender of the gospel. Thus, these ones knowing this to be the case, went forth to proclaim and defend the truth. This certainly was a primary comfort while he was imprisoned.

[1] 1 Peter 3:15

[2] Myles Coverdale, first name also spelled Miles, was an English ecclesiastical reformer chiefly known as a Bible translator, preacher and, briefly, Bishop of Exeter. In 1535, Coverdale produced the first complete printed translation of the Bible into English.