On a couple of recent occasions, I found myself discussing the issue of false teaching within Christian churches. To my shock, on both occasions, some believers chimed in by saying, "Hey, don't complain about false teaching! Instead, rejoice! After all, didn't Paul say that he would rejoice, even in pretense? He knew that the Gospel is still preached, even in false doctrine!"

I was absolutely stunned by these replies, as they just didn't seem to make sense. I can understand overlooking minor theological differences. I also understand that the Christian gospel may still be conveyed by those whose theology is not 100% accurate. However, to suggest that false teaching will *necessarily* convey the Gospel message -- the very core of Christianity -- struck me as a reckless and overly broad claim. That certainly didn't sound like anything the Apostle Paul would say!

So I decided to find out if Paul truly did teach such a thing, as these people claimed. I quickly discovered a reference to pretense and rejoicing in Philippians 1:18, which says,

"[W]hether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."

This was obviously the passage to which these people were referring. I always like to consider verses in their proper context though, so here's what verses 15 to 18 have to say:

"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." (NKJV)

Note that this passage says nothing about false doctrine or false teachers. Rather, Paul is expressing thanks that the Gospel is being preached, even when it is occasionally done with ill motives (e.g. strife, envy, selfish ambition). In other words, this passage does NOT say that we should be thankful when God's Word is being twisted around and preached incorrectly. I daresay that Paul would be horrified at such a thought; after all, he's the one who said "Test all things" (1 Thess 5:21). Luke would surely be aghast as well, for he commended the Bereans as they searched the Scriptures diligently to discern the truth. (Acts 17:10-11)

This shows the importance of examining verses in their proper context, instead of reading them in isolation. You can open yourself up to all manner of abominable (and dangerous!)teaching unless you examine their context carefully.


About the author:

V. B. Velasco Jr., Ph.D. works as an engineer for a small immunology biotech firm. Some of his other writings can be found at his personal article archive.