“What does it matter?
Just this,
That Christ is proclaimed
In every way,
Whether out of false motives
Or true motives.
I rejoice in that,
And I will continue
To rejoice in that.”
τί γάρ; πλὴν ὅτι παντὶ τρόπῳ, εἴτε προφάσει εἴτε ἀληθείᾳ, Χριστὸς καταγγέλλεται, καὶ ἐν τούτῳ χαίρω ἀλλὰ καὶ χαρήσομαι·
Paul said, “What does it matter (τί γάρ)? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed (Χριστὸς καταγγέλλεται) in every way (ὅτι παντὶ τρόπῳ), whether out of false motives (εἴτε προφάσει) or true motives (εἴτε ἀληθείᾳ). I rejoice in that (καὶ ἐν τούτῳ χαίρω), and I will continue to rejoice in that (ἀλλὰ καὶ χαρήσομαι).” Paul asked a simple question. What does it matter about the motives of those preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ? As long as Jesus Christ is proclaimed, he did not care about their motives. Apparently, some of the preachers were acting out of false motives or just pretending to be followers of Jesus, while others were very sincere. In either case, Paul had rejoiced and would continue to rejoice that the word about Jesus Christ was getting out to everyone. Jesus Christ, not the individual preachers, was the most important person. Do you care about the motives of Christian preachers?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 