Morning Moments

Philippians Devotional Outline continued

[1:15] Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

5. THE DEDICATION - "some...of good will" 1:15b

To understand the "good will" consider the following quotes:

Paul’s writings contain the remaining six instances of eudokia. He also associated eudokia with the “gracious will” of God manifest in His salvation (Ephesians 1:5,9). But eudokia can also refer to human “favor” or “desire” or “choice” (Romans 10:1; Philippians 1:15, here of “good,” albeit mistaken, “intention”; cf. Philippians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:11).Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., “2086. εὐδοκία,” in The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Delta-Epsilon, (Springfield, MO: Complete Biblical Library, 1991),

The other group was composed of Gentile converts, friends of Paul, who were encouraged to preach by the thought that it would give joy to the great apostle whose liberty was restricted.Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest's Word Studies – Volume 2: Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1973), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Verses 15 to 17".

I call this DEDICATION as opposed to AGITATION because of the motive difference. Paul had not fallen or failed by being imprisoned. In fact, just the opposite had happened. Word spead by the "Justified Jailor", the "Delivered Damsel", and the "Saved Saleslady" when he first went to Philippi. It was his prison experience there that had been the beginning of this great fellowship of believers, so they KNEW God could DO IT AGAIN with Paul imprisonment this time. They were the fruit of his previous prison labor and others would be the fruit of this one.

Make sure your motive is right and pure and not merely to "start another church" because you don't likke the rest. There are preachers that preach from a root of bitterness and churches that exist from a falling out with other believers. Why, "FOR GOD'S SAKE" can't we clease ourselves from all the filthiness of flesh AND spirit and as TRUE brothers and sisters in Christ worship the LORD JESUS CHRIST in unity and harmony in Dedication and without Agitation among ourselves?

BLESSINGS!