How To Handle Your Body

Though the epistle of Philippians began as a thank you note to the church in Philippi, which was handed to Epaphroditus who visited Apostle Paul in the house where he dwelt as a prisoner in Rome,it turned out to be a depository of great revelations, value systems and instructions for them.

After greeting and encouraging them, he is now sharing his updates with them. Though he was constantly watched by an appointed soldier, Apostle Paul is happy that God caused him to share the gospel in a mysterious way as the prison became a pulpit to share the gospel boldly with many higher officials and even to Caesar; and this in turn encouraged the believers outside to spread the gospel.

Philippians 1:15-17 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
 
Throughout the ages, the motive to preach Christ is either of the two - 

• love and goodwill
• envy, rivalry and selfish ambition.

The love mentioned here is God's love. Our motives should be pure and we should always preach the gospel in love, out of goodwill and with good intentions.

2 Corinthians 5:14 “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”

It is the responsibility of each child of God to defend the truth of the gospel and not get it distorted.

When Paul was in prison, so many things were happening outside - some were very zealous for Jesus, some preached out of love for God while some others preached out of wrong motives and selfish ambition. Some preachers were jealous of Paul's high-profile influential ministry as he was repeatedly brought to trial before various Roman authorities, ultimately leading to his appeal to Caesar and eventual travel to Rome. These trials stem from accusations by Jewish leaders who viewed him as a troublemaker and heretic. Moreover, Paul’s was a fruitful ministry - planting churches, author of many epistles, believers praying for his release, etc. Some wanted to cause further trouble to Paul by preaching the gospel in a wrong pattern.  

Philippians 1:18,19 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Paul had no personal jealousy in others preaching the gospel. He was happy that Christ was preached anyway, somehow. People may not be preaching Christ in the right spirits, still we need not be bothered. It is the Spirit of Jesus Christ that brings results when the gospel is preached as one needs to be born of water and the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5)

Philippians 1:20 - I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
 
When people tremble to step into judicial courts, Paul here had to stand in the world’s supreme court before Caesar for trial.

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19) and therefore we need to take good care of our bodies. Paul presented his body as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). He offered parts of his body as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13). He struck a blow to his body and subdued it so that after preaching to so many people, he himself may not be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27)meaning, he put to death the misdeeds of the body by the Spirit (Romans 8:13).
 
If you do this, a glorious body just like that of our Lord Jesus is waiting for us.