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Philippians 1:16-18 syllogism
1. Philippians 1:16-18 syllogism
In Philippians 1:15-18, written to a Greek audience, Paul appears to use a syllogism of sorts.
Syllogism: Some A are B, and some B are C, so some A are C.
Paul:
Some preach Jesus using envy and strife.
Some preach Jesus using good will or wishful thinking.
One preaches Jesus of contention.
One preaches Jesus of love.
So, all those preaching preach Christ (the common part of each).
2. Syllogism
Philippians 1:15-18 is a type of syllogism written by Paul to a Greek audience.
One should be "
spotless" and "
without horns".
Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [kjv]
Whether as "
pretend" or as "
truth", Jesus is preached.
3. Syllogism verses
Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [kjv]
1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: [kjv]
1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. [kjv]
1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I there in do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. [kjv]
4. Logic: syllogisms
Logical reasoning in Greek
philosophy often took the form of a
syllogism that uses deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion.
Some people think syllogisms are "
silly" and will use the pun "
sillygism" to refer to a "
syllogism".
5. Context
The context is that of Philippians 1.
Let us look at Philippians 1:14-17 in terms of a syllogism of sorts. Other details are at the above links.
6. Categories
 |
Some preach Jesus of "good opinion" such as "joy" - which can be valid or invalid.
Some preach Jesus of " logic" which can be valid or invalid (such as "eristic" logic)
Some preach Jesus of "love" - which can be valid or invalid.
|
Let us simplify the above claims, called categories by Aristotle.
Let us look at each in turn as what might be inferred from what Paul says.
7. Invalid logic and strife
Some are using
eristic (invalid and contentious) logic to misrepresent the truth and create
strife.
An
eristic argument, or line of reasoning, is that of a debate where the focus is on refuting an argument rather than searching for the truth.
8. Joy as bliss and happiness
Some are using "
good opinion" or "
good feeling" such as happiness or joy to misrepresent the truth as in creating inaccurate and unrealistic expectations.
The Greek word often translated as "
joy" can be mistaken as meaning "
merry" or "
great happiness" or "
bliss". The word "
joy" comes, through French, from the Latin
"gaudia" ≈ "joy" and which became
"gaudy".
9. Love
Some are using love in a valid way.
The ancient Greek word
"αγάπη" ≈ "totally devoted to, love" from which we get the word
"agape".
The difference between "
God is love" and "
Love is god" can be subtle and deceptive - especially when spoken without the distinction between the one and only creator "
God" and a "
god" as in an idol or a desire.
This fallacy is common, covered extensively by Aristotle, and called the
converse fallacy as one of many names describing it.
10. Paul
Here is what appears to be implied by Paul.
Some preach Jesus using "eristic" (invalid) logic (creating strife), not good.
Some preach Jesus using "good opinion" or personal opinion or wishful thinking, not good.
One preaches Jesus of love (in a valid way), good.
The common part that is important is that, in all cases, Jesus is preached (even if it might be done in a better way).
Luke 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. [kjv]
11. Diagram
In each way, it is possible to preach Jesus in an invalid way.
In every way, even if invalid (eristic) logic, personal opinion (joy as good feeling), or misusing the idea of love, Jesus is preached.
Note again that the one preaching Jesus of love was doing it in the proper way. The others were not.
12. Discussion
Discussion: Do pastors ever preach Philippians 1 doing what Paul says not to do?
Do pastors ever preach using divisive political or social issues that have minimal connection to the Bible?
Do pastors ever preach of good feeling, good opinion, joy, happiness, etc.?
If they do what Paul says not to do, do they skip verses 15, 16, 17 and 18?
13. End of page
