How could Paul rejoice while his adversaries were constantly giving him a bad time?
Paul could rejoice because joy is not the same as happiness. His adversaries gave him constant opposition, so he was not in a happy situation, but he still had joy. In Philippians 1:25 he expressed confidence to abide and continue with believers for their furtherance and joy of faith.
Les teaches that when things are all going wrong, it is hard to be happy, but a believer can still have joy. Paul's letter to the Philippians is packed with the concept of joy and rejoicing. Just before Philippians 1:18, Paul's adversaries were giving him a bad time constantly. That was not a place of happiness for Paul, but he had joy, and so he could rejoice even though he had all that opposition. Then in Philippians 1:25 Paul writes, "having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance, and joy of faith." The Philippian believers were not living in a happy environment; they were under constant pressure, yet joy could still be present.
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
More Questions
Why could Paul rejoice in Philippians 1:18 when his adversaries were constantly opposing him?
Paul's situation was not one of happiness because his adversaries were constantly giving him a bad time, yet he had joy and could rejoice even with all that opposition.