Philippians 1:18

There seems little doubt that we should read πλὴν ὅτι, as there would be a tendency to omit either word to simplify the sense. Ws [39] holds that πλήν was inserted because copyists did not notice that ὅτι is causal, introducing a protasis. But it is difficult to imagine this misunderstanding if ὅτι stood alone. τί γάρ probably goes closely with οἰόμενοι preceding. “Supposing they purpose, etc., what then? Only that … Christ is preached.” τί γάρ has its usual classical sense. For πλ. ὅτι in this usage, cf. Acts 20:22-23, τὰ … συναντήσοντα ἐμοὶ μὴ εἰδώς, πλὴν ὅτι τὸ πνεῦμα … διαμαρτύρεται. προφάσει ε. ἀληθ. A common antithesis. The one party preached the Gospel, ostensibly for Christ's sake, really to gain their own ends. The best punctuation of the next clause is that of W.H., who place a colon after χαίρω and a comma after χαρης. ἐν τούτῳ. Must not τ. mean “the fact that, in spite of my imprisonment, Christ is preached”? It seems far-fetched to refer it to his imprisonment. χαίρω. Assuming that Paul's opponents here were Judaisers, Comm [40] have been driven to desperate shifts to explain his joy in their preaching. This verse was quoted in the early Church in favour of heretics, so that Chr [41], Th. Mps [42] and Thdrt [43] have to protest against the abuse of it (see Swete, Th. Mps [44], i., p. 209). When reasonably interpreted it presents no serious difficulties. ἀλλὰ κ. χαρής. Closely connected with the following verse, but not necessarily introducing a new subject (as Hfm [45]). It has almost the same force as if οὐ μόνον had preceded. The κοινή form for χαιρήσω, like ζήσομαι for ζήσω in N.T. Cf. CIA., ii., 593, b, 18 (2 cent. B.C.). Found in LXX, where χαροῦμαι also occurs (W-Sch [46], p. 108, n. 8). This is a progressive future. Cf. Romans 6:2 (see Burton, MT [47], p. 32). Perhaps we can detect, as some have suggested, a note of loneliness and resignation in this verse (cf. chap. Philippians 2:21).

[39] Weiss.

[40]omm. Commentators.

[41] Chrysostom.

[42] Mps. Theodore of Mopsuestia.

[43]hdrt. Theodoret.

[44] Mps. Theodore of Mopsuestia.

[45] Hofmann.

[46]-Sch. Schmiedel's Ed. of Winer.

[47] Moods and Tenses (Burton, Goodwin).