Philippians 1:18

What then? "What matters it? Qu'importe?" The right order of the two previous verses gives full force to such a question.

notwithstanding Better, only. With beautiful significance he modifies the thought that it matters not. There is one respect in which it matters; it promotes the diffusion of the Gospel.

R.V. reads, only that; an elliptical phrase, for "only I must confess that," or the like. The documentary evidence for the word "that" is strong, but not decisive.

pretence The Judaists would "pretend," perhaps even to themselves, that their energy came of pure zeal for God.

preached Better, proclaimed. See second note on Philippians 1:16. In modern English the Greek (present) tense is best represented by is being proclaimed.

I therein Better, therein I, &c. There is no emphasis on "I" in the Greek.

will rejoice Better, perhaps, with Alford, Ellicott, and Lightfoot (but not so R.V.), shall rejoice; an expectation, rather than a resolve. He is assured that the future will only bring fresh reasons for rejoicing.

No long comment is needed on the noble spiritual lesson of this verse. The interests of his Lord are his own, and in that fact, realized by the grace of God, he finds, amidst circumstances extremely vexatious in themselves, more than equanimity positive happiness. Self has yielded the inner throne to Christ, and the result is a Divine harmony between circumstances and self, as both are seen equally subject to Him and contributing to His ends.