Theological commentary abounds in regard to Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. The letter is replete with theological and Christological themes. Scholars have also analyzed this letter from a socio-rhetorical standpoint. While all these are dominant themes in Philippians, there are strong social elements as well. While Paul is writing from prison, there are groups evangelizing and preaching the gospel. There are two groups of preachers with two different motives for their preaching. This paper will only deal with one group, the group of preachers that preach Christ, διὰ φθόνον καὶ ἔριν (from envy and strife) (Phil 1:15). These are the same preachers that, οἱ δὲ ἐξ ἐριθείας τὸν Χριστὸν καταγγέλλουσιν, οὐχ ἁγνῶς, οἰόμενοι θλῖψιν ἐγείρειν τοῖς …show more content…
(proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment) (Phi 1:17). Commentators have speculated concerning the motives of these preachers. Some have attributed their motives to a difference in theology, while others have attributed to morality; pointing to the fact that “envy” is listed among the list of vices. The theology of these rival preachers will not be addressed, for Paul has no issues with what they are preaching. These preachers have a sound Christology, for he says that they τὸν Χριστὸν καταγγέλλουσιν. Paul does not have a problem with the message; he has a problem with the motivations of the messengers. Paul never tells the Philippian church how he is cognizant