Philippians: Intro 1

It is generally accepted that Paul wrote the letter to the church in Philippi around 61 or 62, and it seems sure it was written (dictated) while Paul was held under loose imprisonment in Rome. While his status as a Roman citizen allowed him to enjoy some privileges, he was still facing trial and possible execution. It is thought that the passing of the news between Paul and this church lasted about one year.

There have been numerous writers who have thought that this epistle as we have it in our Bible was actually compiled from several letters Paul penned rather than only one letter. The scribe who wrote for John, Polycarp, wrote that Paul had sent letters (plural) to the church in his effort to maintain the path of the believers there. There are some places within the letter that are rough in transition that may support such a thought (e.g. 3:1 to 3:2).

As in Galatians, Paul teaches of those who arrived at the church and likely were again perhaps Judaizers. Paul saw them as a threat and felt that these who came were presenting themselves as high level religious men who argued that the status and commitment of the Philippian believers were defective and immature. In addition they once again argued for circumcision to show devotion to the long held beliefs of the Jews. In chapter three Paul strongly brings forth his points of faith against these men and identifies them as “enemies of the cross of Christ” (3:18).

Paul seems to have five reasons for the letter:

1. The Philippians had sent him financial support through the messenger named Epaphroditus and this letter was a thank you letter.

2. During his time with Paul, Epaphroditus fell ill and news of his illness had found its way back to the church. Paul decided to send him home and use him to deliver the letter (or letters).

3. Jewish men were arriving at the church bringing doubt to the believers in their teachings as well as preaching that the men church members lacked the mark of the covenant of Abraham. Paul wished to respond with strength of feeling to counter this issue.

4. Paul still had hope of being released from prison in Rome and wanted to visit the church and said so in his letter.

5. Paul took this occasion to offer some pastoral counseling in this letter to hopefully smooth over some strained relations within the congregation that had been reported to him.

It is felt that this letter was the warmest and most joyful of all the letters that we have among the several epistles by Paul in our Bible. It opens with an immediate recollection of how the Philippian members had shared the gospel from the beginning. 

Paul further cites deep affection as he speaks of his own feelings “because I hold you in my heart” and “because you hold me in your hearts”. He affirms his longing for them in prayer, comparing it to the affection of Christ Jesus, a phrase that appears nowhere else in all his writings. He prays that their love might overflow and he shows strong confidence in their spiritual maturity. While he never reveals it, Paul seems by his words in this letter to say that if he had a favorite among the churches, this church in Philippi would be it.

We learn the names of only a few of the church members, with the name of two women given in chapter four (Euodia and Syntyche) who have apparently had a falling out and Paul mentions them in his letter which would be read in front of the entire church. Most likely they were among the leaders of this church as Paul refers to them as they “struggled along with me in the gospel”. Clement is also named as a co-worker. 

The generosity of the church members is evident as is their hospitality as they have welcomed into their midst these incomers who are bringing confusion. But there is no mention of the actual beginning of this assembly members or its start we read about in Acts 16. There is no reference to Lydia or anyone who may be recognized as the jailer who was saved and baptized by Paul (along with his family). But the overall impression is of an independent church which is self supporting and strong in faith, until those from outside arrive with their dependence upon the law, causing distress to the members and certainly to Paul.

Philippians: Intro 2

THE STORY OF THE CHURCH AT PHILLIPI TEACHES US THIS VERY SIMPLE PRINCIPLE, THERE IS BIG AND THERE IS SMALL AND BIG ALWAYS FOLLOWS SMALL.

THE ONLY TIME SMALL FOLLOWS BIG IS IN THE DICTIONARY.

IT IS TRUE IN NATURE AS WE ALL KNOW A MIGHTY OAK STARTS WITH A SMALL ACORN.   VAST FORESTS ALL START WITH SEEDS.

IT IS TRUE IN OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS WELL. 

SMALL IS NOT A DREAM PEOPLE CHASE.   MOST PEOPLE DREAM BIG.

ACTS 16 TELLS US OF A BIG THING THAT STARTED VERY SMALL.

IT IS THE STORY OF THE CHURCH AT PHILLIPI, BUT IT IS ALSO THE SEED OF SOMETHING FAR BIGGER.

THE STORY OF THE BEGINNING OF THIS CHURCH BEGINS WITH THREE PEOPLE.

BIG THINGS START SMALL AND ACTS 16 TELLS US OF THE FIRST RECORDED MOVE OF THE GOSPEL INTO EUROPE.

PAUL AND HIS FEW MEN DEPARTED ASIA MINOR AT TROAS AND SAILED OVERNIGHT OVER A SMALL NECK OF WATER, ARRIVING AT A PORT CALLED NEAPOLIS.

THEY THEN WALKED 11 MILES TO THE CITY OF PHILLIPI.

HERE FOR THE 1ST TIME RECORDED, JESUS WAS DECLARED AND BELIEVED UPON ON EUROPEAN SOIL.

FROM HERE GREW A CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT TO A LARGER CHURCH BASE, A WHOLE CONTINENT, AND AN ENTIRE CIVILIZATION.

AS JESUS ONE SAID, “BEHOLD THE POWER OF A MUSTARD SEED”.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT SMALL TOWN SET THE STAGE FOR ALL THE CAME LATER IN THE FAITH.

THERE WAS A WEALTHY BUISNESS WOMAN, LYDIA, (ACTS 16:11-15), AND A DEMON POSSESSED SLAVE GIRL (ACTS 16:16-24), AND A HARD HEARTED  MAN WHO RAN THE LOCAL JAIL (ACTS 16:25-34).

EVERY BELIEVER'S STORY, YOURS AND MINE, COMES FROM SUCH A SMALL BEGINNING.

THIS STORY BEGINS IN MACEDONIA, AN EASTERN PROVINCE OF ROME.

THE ANCIENT NAME OF THE TOWN WAS KRENIDES, WHICH MEANS “LITTLE SPRINGS” AND PHILLIP OF MACEDON, FATHER OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, SEIZED CONTROL THERE IN 356 B.C..

HE TOOK THE TOWN TO HAVE THE GOLD MINES NEAR BY WHICH BROUGHT HIM MUCH WEALTH TO UPGRADE THE CITY AND AND MAKE HIS MILITARY MORE POWERFUL.

CONTROL PASSED TO THE ROMANS IN 168 B.C. AND THE STATUS OF THIS PLACE AS A ROMAN COLONY ALLOWED THE RESIDENTS TO CLAIM EQUALITY WITH ALL ROMAN CITIZENS.

THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE WAS LATIN, BUT GREEK WAS THE LANGUAGE OF COMMERCE SPOKEN AND WRITTEN THERE.

THE ARCHITECTURE WAS ROMAN, ARCHES, FORUMS AND TEMPLES TO THE PAGAN GODS OF ROME & GREECE.

WORSHIP WAS COMMANDED TO BE TO THE EMPORER OF ROME AS DIVINE.

THE FLEDGING CHURCH SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MOSTLY GENTILE.

OF THE FOUR NAMED PEOPLE, THREE ARE GREEK AND ONE, CLEMENT, IS ROMAN.

THE CHURCH WAS UNIQUE IN THAT IT HAD AN EARLY HISTORY OF PROMINENCE OF WOMEN.

THERE WERE FEW JEWS, WITH NO SYNAGOGUE.

THE CITY WAS BASED IN AGRICULTURE & MILITARY AND NOT STRONG IN COMMERCE WHICH IS NORMALLY WHERE JEWISH TRADERS FOUND THEIR PLACE.

THE CITY HAD A VERY WELL KNOWN AND WIDELY RENOWNED MEDICAL SCHOOL, FROM WHICH PHYSICIANS WERE TRAINED AND DISPATCHED TO OTHER ROMAN COLONIES.

IF PHILLIPI WAS NOT LUKE'S HOMETOWN, IT WAS LIKELY HIS ALMA MATER.

SOME EARLY CHURCH WRITERS HAVE PROPOSED THAT LUKE WAS THE MAN FROM MACEDONIA WHO APPEARED IN THE DREAM TO PAUL IN ACTS 16:8-10 ASKING HIM TO COME AN HELP.

WHAT DOES THE BOOK OF PHILLIPIANS TEACH US?

FIRST: JOY – FOUND 16 TIMES IN THE SMALL LETTER.

SECOND: UNITY – A PERVASIVE THEME, DIRECTLY AND REPEATEDLY TAUGHT.

THIRD: RELATIONSHIP – PAUL IS SAAVY IN HIS TEACHING AND USES THE POWER OF GRACE IN WORDS AND ACTIONS TO BUILD UNITY.  HE ALSO PRESSES HARD AS TO HOW TO DEAL WITH OPPOSITION IN CHAPTERS 1 & 2 & 3.

FOURTH: MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP – IMMEDIATELY IN 1:7 PAUL BEGINS TEACHING OF “PARTAKERS WITH ME OF GRACE”. TIME & AGAIN HE TEACHES THIS FACTOR STRONGLY.

FIFTH: EXAMPLE – PAUL SPEAKS OF THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS, OF TIMOTHY, OF EPAPHRODITIS AND HE COMMANDS THOSE IN THE CHURCH TO IMITATE THESE EXAMPLES, INCLUDING HIMSELF.

SIXTH: SUFFERING – PAUL WRITES FROM A ROMAN JAIL AND IS UNDER A SENTENCE OF DEATH AND SAYS EPAPHRODITUS WAS SICK CLOSE TO DEATH BUT STILL SERVED.

SEVENTH: THE MIND – WE LEARN THE CENTRAL PLACE THAT THE MIND WORKS IN THE DISCIPLESHIP OF CHRIST. THE VERB “TO THINK” IS USED 26 TIMES IN THE NT AND OF THOSE 26, 10 APPEAR IN PHILLIPIANS., THE REALM OF ONE'S THOUGHTS MUST INDEED GUIDE THE BODY INTO OBEDIENCE.

THIS LAST FACTOR IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SUMMARIZE THE ENTIRE LETTER IN THIS WAY:

• CHAPTER 1 - A UNITED MIND

• CHAPTER 2 - AN UNSELFISH MIND

• CHAPTER 3 - AN UNDISTRACTED MIND

• CHAPTER 4 - AN UNDIVIDED MIND

Philippians - Chapter 1

1-2

Greetings

Paul begins his letter in the usual way people wrote in his day. He was the author of the letter and although he uses the word “I”, it is likely Timothy actually wrote the letter, acting as a scribe for Paul. We know writers of the gospels and Paul used secretaries, as Romans 16:22 mentions specifically Tertius. Paul mentions Timothy in his greeting in other letters and we know Timothy was with Paul when the church at Philippi was established (Acts 16).

Notice how Paul writes to “all the believers” and he uses this word over and over again:

• “he prays for them all” (1:4)

• “he loves them all” (1:7)

• “he would like to be with them all” (1:8)

• “he would like to stay with them all” (1:25)

• his final greetings are to them all (4:21)

3-8

Thanks to God

Paul emphasizes his personal faith by saying “my God”. Here Paul gives thanks for two things:

1. the gift of money.

2. their spiritual help as they prayed for him.

Verse 4 uses the word “joy” and reflects Paul’s state of mind, even though he is in prison. 

Verse 6 reminds that even though Paul brought the gospel to Philippi, the work was done by God. What God has begun, He will complete when Christ returns (notice how closely this attitude mirrors the attitude of Daniel when he spoke to the king about his dream).

9-11

Paul’s prayer

Their love is not perfected. An increase in their knowledge will increase their love for each other and spiritual intelligence will help them know what is really important.

The word “approve” in verse 10 reflects a translation of a Greek work that means “test the purity of metal or coins”. Afterward, Paul advises in verse 11 that they should continue to bear fruit from their walk with Christ.

12-14

The results of Paul being in prison:

All where Paul is (Rome) know why he is in prison there, which is for preaching the gospel. He is under the constant guard of the emperor’s special guard so while more of them guard him, more will learn the gospel, and the word will spread to others as well.

15-17

Two different reasons why people are declaring the gospel:

After Paul arrived in Rome, some others became jealous. As they try to attract attention to themselves, their attitude is wrong. Paul says that God has given him the work to defend the gospel.

18-26

Paul wishes to bring honor to Christ by his own death:

Paul seems to think he will be released. He is happy to hear people talk of Christ, no matter the reason (right or wrong). Paul teaches that he will have no shame, and will be happy, and if necessary, will die without fear.

Paul teaches one of our most beautiful lessons as Christians when he tells us to live is Christ and to die is gain. WHAT A LESSON TO LIVE BY!

Paul has the power to live in the right way because Christ lives in him (Gal 2:20) and the only purpose of his life is to honor the Lord. To love and serve Christ is life.

If Paul must leave this life, it is to his gain. It will mean he will be home with the Lord in Heaven (2 Cor 5:8), where he will finally be freed from sin, pain, or trouble. His great reward will be there after his long struggle here. His death will be a great witness to his faith. Two hundred years later an early Christian writer wrote that “the blood of martyrs is the true seed of the church”.

Paul notes that it is better for the believers at Philippi if he does not die. Their need was more important than his own wishes.

27-30

Paul urges the Christians at Philippi to fight for their faith:

Paul speaks of their way of life as citizens, meaning earthly as well as heavenly citizens. Later in 3:20 he will discuss their home in heaven.

We must obey earthly laws, be good citizens, and derive the benefits of that obedience. The same issue applies to obedience of the commands given by the Lord, and the benefits to come from our obedience will be evident as the gospel brings blessings to those whose faith remains strong.

Paul reminds them to fight side by side, which is an allusion to how Roman soldiers fight to victory in close ranks. There were many possible opponents:

1. Jews who oppose the Christian faith.

2. Gentiles, including Roman officials, who were turning against the Christians.

3. False teachers of two kinds:

   • Jewish Christians who still urge circumcision.

   • Those who make God’s grace an excuse for allowing their physical desires to control them.

Paul had once attacked the believers in Christ himself and he knew that it is faith that keeps them true and nothing else. Pain and trouble now are a sign that faith is genuine while they struggle with the same problems Paul had in his walk with the Lord. The struggle is like that of a runner who is trying to win a race.

Strength to persevere is found in Christ and faith is made stronger by testing.

Philippians 1: Joy in the Furtherance of the Gospel

PHILIPPIANS 1:1-14

Application: We should recognize God's leadership and providence in all the things that happen to us.

PAUL BEGINS BY MAKING SURE IT IS CLEAR THAT HE IS WRITING TO ALL THE BELIEVERS IN THE CHURCH.

“he prays for them all” (1:4)

“he loves them all” (1:7)

“he would like to be with them all” (1:8)

“he would like to stay with them all” (1:25)

“his final greetings are to them all” (4:21)

HE SAYS THE LETTER IS TO ALL THE SAINTS IN CHRIST JESUS &

TO THE BISHOPS & TO THE DEACONS.

HE OFFERS THEM GRACE AND PEACE, HIS FAMILIAR GREETING.

HE THEN GIVES THANKS FOR THEM FOR EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF THEM.

THIS CHURCH SUPPORTED PAUL'S MINISTRY WHEN HE WAS WITH THEM (ACTS 15) & LATER AS WELL (2ND COR 8 & 9 & 11).

THESE WERE FAITHFUL AND STEADFAST BELIEVERS AND PAUL PROVES THAT BY THANKING GOD FOR THEIR FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL.

HE TELLS THEM GOD HAS BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN THEM AND IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE DAY JESUS RETURNS.

NOW IN VERSES 7-8 HE DECLARS HIS AFFECTION FOR THESE MEMBERS.

HE SAYS HE HAS THEM IN HIS HEART AND SAYS THAT AS GOD AS HIS WITNESS HE ASSURES THEM OF HIS LOVE.

NOW IN VERSES 9-11 HE OFFERS HIS PRAYER FOR THESE FAITHFUL ONES.

HE PRAYES THAT THEIR LOVE MAY ABOUND EVEN MORE AND BE SEEN IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND DISCERNMENT.

THIS HOPE FOR THEIR DISCERNMENT WAS CRITICAL AS THERE WERE THOSE OFFERING FALSE TEACHINGS ON JEWISH DIET AND CEREMONIAL LAW AND CIRCUMCISION ON TOP OF THE GOSPEL.

PAUL PRAYS THAT THEY SHOULD BE SINCERE AND HAVE NO OFFENSE, MEANING THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT THE FALSE DOCTRINE BEING OFFERED.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SIMPLY BE SINCERE ALONE.

THE JUDAIZERS WERE ALSO SINCERE, BUT THEY WERE SINCERELY WRONG.

PAUL PRAYS THEY BE FILLED WITH FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH ARE THE RESULTS OF BEING SINCERE AND WITHOUT OFFENSE.

NOW IN VERSES 11-14 PAUL EXPLAINS HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

HE TELLS THEM HE IS UNDER PALACE GUARD BUT THAT HIS ACTUAL CHAINS ARE NOT CHAINS OF ROME BUT ARE SPIRITUAL CHAINS OF JESUS CHRIST.

THOSE WHO ARE WITH HIM IN ROME AS HE WAITS IN PRISON ARE MADE BOLD BY HIS WILLINGNESS TO PREACH AND WITNESS FOR THE LORD SO THEY ARE DOING THE SAME.

THIS IS THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL, EVEN UNDER MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCE.

HE WANTED THEM TO KNOW THAT HE WAS NOT OUT OF THE LORD'S BLESSING, EVEN IN PRISON.

WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE JAIL AT PHILLIPI THAT THE LORD HEARD THE SONGS OF PRAISE OF PAUL AND BROUGHT A GREAT EARTHQUAKE WHICH FREED HIM.

IT ALSO LED TO THE SALVATION OF THE JAILER AND HIS ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD.

WE ALSO NOW KNOW THAT THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL WAS EVEN GREATER THAT THIS LETTER ALLOWS.

DURING THESE PRISON DAYS, HE WROTE THE EPISTLES OF EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS AND THIS ONE TO PHILLIPI.

THERE IS A GOOD LESSON HERE ABOUT NOT WASTING THE TIME GOD HAS GIVEN US, EVEN WHEN WE ARE IN POOR VALLEYS OF SPIRIT.

WE SHOULD LEARN FROM PAUL TO BE  CONTENT IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AND TO CONTINUE TO WITNESS FOR HIM NO MATTER HOW DARK THE DAYS MAY BE.

PAUL MINISTERED EFFECTIVELY AND BROUGHT PEOPLE TO THE LORD WITH CONFIDENCE AND BOLDNESS, CONVERTING EVEN PALACE GUARDS WHO WERE ASSIGNED TO GUARD HIM.

HE EVEN SAYS HE HAS BECOME CONFIDENT IN HIS CHAINS.

THOSE AROUND HIM SAW SEVERAL IMPORTANT THINGS:

• PAUL HAD JOY IN THE MIDDLE OF A GREAT  TIME OF TRIAL.

• GOD TOOK CARE OF PAUL DURING THIS TIME.

• GOD CONTINUED TO USE PAUL EVEN IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

NOW IN VERSES 15-18 PAUL CONSIDERS THE MOTIVES OF OTHERS IN THEIR PREACHING.

HE SAYS SOME PREACH FROM ENVY & STRIFE.

SOME HAD JEALOUSY IN THEIR HEARTS AGAINST PAUL AND WANTED TO SURPASS HIM.

THEY WANTED TO PROMOTE THEIR OWN NAMES ABOVE HIS AMONG THE PEOPLE.

THEY WERE GLAD PAUL WAS IN PRISON.

BUT PAUL ALSO KNEW SOME WERE PREACHING IN GOOD WILL WITH GOOD MOTIVES.

BUT MANY PREACHED FROM SELFISH AMBITION SO THEY APPEAR TO BE SERVING GOD BUT THEY ARE NOT SERVING SINCERELY.

THEY SUPPOSE THEY CAN ADD AFFLICTION TO HIS OWN CHAINS, MAKING THEM HEAVIER UPON PAUL.

SO EVEN THOUGH SOME WERE BADLY MOTIVATED, PAUL STILL FOUND JOY IN THAT THE GOSPEL WAS BEING SPREAD.

PAUL FELT THAT GOD'S WORD WAS STILL BEING PREACHED AND THAT HIS PLACE WAS NOT TO JUDGE OTHERS FOR THEIR BAD MOTIVES.

THE LORD HANDLED THAT PART IN HIS OWN WAY IN HIS OWN TIME.

PAUL HAS CONFIDENCE THAT HIS DELIVERANCE IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

HE SAYS IT WILL HAPPEN THROUGH THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AT PHILLIPI AND THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WORKING IN HIS BEHALF.

BUT HE ALSO WISHES FOR CHRIST TO BE MAGNIFIED EITHER BY HIS LIFE AND FREEDOM FROM ROMAN CHAINS OR IN DEATH.

IN VERSES 21-26 PAUL REVEALS HIS LACK OF FEAR OF DEATH AND HOW THAT ATTITUDE AFFECTED HIS OUTLOOK.

TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN.

(PETE WELCHEL'S FAVORITE VERSE)

IF HE DIED, HIS DEATH WOULD BE TO GLORIFY THE LORD AND HE HIMSELF WOULD GAIN BY IMMEDIATELY BEING WITH CHRIST FOREVER.

IF HE SOMEHOW ESCAPED DEATH NOW, IT WILL MEAN THERE WAS FRUIT FROM HIS LABORS.

PAUL SAYS HE IS HARD PRESSED BETWEEN THE TWO.

HE DOES NOT KNOW WHICH HE TRULY PREFERS, BUT HE DOES ADMIT HE HAS A DESIRE TO DEPART.

BUT REMAINING IN FLESH WILL BE MORE NEEDFUL TO THE CHURCH AT PHILLIPI.

HE DID FIND FREEDOM FROM THIS PARTICULAR PRISON TIME, AND DID VISIT THE CHUCH AT PHILLIPI AGAIN, AND DID FIND HIMSELF IN ROMAN CHAINS AGAIN LATER FROM WHICH HE FOUND TRUE FREEDOM IN HIS EXECUTION.

NOW AT THE END OF THIS LETTER, PAUL URGES THESE CHRISTIANS TO FIGHT FOR THEIR FAITH.

HE TELLS THEM TO FIGHT SIDE BY SIDE, LIKE THE ROMANS DO IN BATTLE.

HE KNEW THERE WERE MANY OPPONENTS FOR THEM TO BATTLE:

• JEWS WHO OPPOSED THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

GENTILES, INCLUDING ROMANS, WHO WERE AT THIS TIME TURNING HARSHLY AGAINST CHRISTIANS

FALSE TEACHERS OF TWO KINDS:

• JEWS WHO STILL INSISTED ON THE LAW

• THOSE WHO PREACH IMPURE USE OF GRACE TO FURTHER SIN

HE ASSURES THEM THERE WILL BE STRUGGLE BUT THAT FAITH AND PATIENCE ARE STRENGTHENED BY TRIBULATION.

THEY ARE TO PERSEVERE IN CHRIST ONLY TOWARD THEIR REWARD.  

Philippians 1: Points to Ponder

V20: “...in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

By Paul's carefully chosen words, Christ becomes the subject and Paul is simply the instrument by which the greatness of Christ shines out.

He is confident that his present circumstances, and their outcome will enable him to accomplish, by God's grace, what he has labored toward and longed for after he met his Savior, which is glorifying the One who changed him.

Paul says this will take place “... in my body...” and this phrase is only used one other time in the NT (Gal 6:17), where Paul speaks of bearing the marks of Christ on his body. Paul stresses here that this experience is not merely spiritual, not a state of mind, but that the whole of himself will be involved. 

He intends to magnify Christ “... whether it be by life or death...”.

If God chooses to magnify Christ through Paul by “life” it will mean more than thoughts and heartbeats. It will mean life lived in union with Christ Himself.

V21: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

The life of the indwelling Christ was a daily, moment-by-moment reality for Paul. Paul can say to live is Christ as he explains in Gal 2:20 where he reveals that it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. He reminded the Colossian believers that is “Christ who is our life” (Col 3:4).

In physical death the non material part of us, our soul, is separated from our physical body, (Ecc 12:7 “... the spirit shall return unto God who gave it”. So to be released from this body and this physical world is gain. To die is to depart and to be with Christ eternally. Death is gain because it will bring him to the more complete union with Christ, no longer hampered by the limitations of the flesh, and his thorn in the flesh which troubled him so much will then finally be removed.

Philippians - Chapter 2

Unity & Humility by the Example of Christ

1-4

Paul’s appeal for unity and humility:

While not doubting the Christian faith of those believers at the church at Philippi, Paul reminds them of what the results of their faith should be. He emphasizes that these spiritual experiences should result in unity and humility. They must show Christ’s love to other people. This can only be done if they show love toward each other.

If they are not united, their witness to the world will be weak. He is already happy about their Christian joy but his own joy will be even greater when he is able to hear that they are living in peace with each other.

Paul had already mentioned those who spoke about Christ from selfish ambition. Christians should honor God, not themselves. Some thought that to be humble was to be weak but Paul knew that to be humble was the correct attitude for a believer to display. Paul even referred to himself as “the worst sinner” (I Timothy 1:15). Christians should look toward the good qualities of other believers and appreciate their gifts.

5-11

Christ as our model:

Many teachers feel these verses were a portion of a hymn sung by early believers when they met for Holy Communion. Paul uses the poem to support his appeal to those at Philippi by structuring his words in three parts: 

• Christ as God

• Christ as man

• Christ in glory

Jesus had always been God, even before the beginning of human time.

“And He is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col 1:17)

“… before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58)

Although Jesus had the right to the same honor as the Father, he did not claim that honor while on earth. He laid aside His honor on behalf of all people. He gave up home, Heaven, and glory to come to us and take the role of a servant in humility. He was truly God as well as truly man.He gave us the example of perfect submission in obedience. His example to us should provide us the willingness to stay humble ourselves as we follow Him. His humility did not change the fact that He is Lord of all. His authority was no less because He chose to show us that those who serve will one day gain glory.

Work with God as salvation is completed.

Paul is not with these Christians personally. He is far off and can only communicate by letter or verbal message carried by others. He was in prison and his future was uncertain. This message is NOT meant to mean that salvation is partial or that any works by man make it possible. The Greek words were those meant to represent working out like miners work all the gold or silver they can find in a mine. Believers must work hard to gain all the riches possible from their walk with the Lord. With “fear and trembling” each should give honor to the Lord by the fruits they bear and they should become mature in faith and as Paul taught in Ephesians 4:13 they should become more and more like Christ.

Show Christian faith to the world:

Arguing or protesting among themselves brings no unity. Paul wanted to be proud of them on the day of judgment and did not want his hard work to be in vain. Paul hoped that in case of his own death, the blood he spilled would be like a sacrifice of faith for all of them.

Sending Timothy:

Paul was eager to hear of the news of the progress made in the church at Philippi and he intended to send Timothy, his faithful companion to bring back good news to him. Verse 21 was likely meant to describe those who were confusing the believers or perhaps just selfish believers not willing to be humble.

Timothy had been with Paul on his first visit and he was seen as the “spiritual son” of Paul. Verse 24 still shows the hope of Paul that he will soon be freed and can come to these Christians himself.

Returning Epaphroditus:

This messenger had been ill, almost unto death, and Paul felt it right to send him home and it is likely that he actually delivered this letter to the church. He had worked hard to assist Paul and he should be accorded honor upon his return.

Philippians 2: Joy in Holding Forth the Word of Life

PHILIPPIANS 2:14-20

Application: We should rejoice because we have caring leaders and caring fellow workers in the Lord's service.

SOMETIMES IN OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDIES WE HAVE A THEME CARRIED FORWARD FROM WEEK TO WEEK TO TIE TOGETHER WEEKLY STUDY IN A SINGLE THEME.

THIS TERM, FROM SEPTEMBER 10 THROUGH OCTOBER 15, EVERY LESSON IS CONCERNED WITH JOY.

LISTEN TO THE TITLES:

• Joy in the furtherance of the gospel

• Joy in complete submission to Christ

• Joy in having the mind of Christ

• Joy in holding forth the word of Life

• Joy in the high calling of God

• Joy in right personal relationships

THIS IDEA OF JOY IS NOT FOUND ONLY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT BUT BEGINS WITH OUR OLD TESTAMENT TEACHINGS:

• Neh 8:10  “... The joy of the Lord is your strength...”

• Isaiah 12:3 “...with joy shall ye draw water out of the well of salvation”

THIS IDEA OF JOY IS THE 2ND OF THE ITEMS MENTIONED IN PAUL'S FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT OF A SAVED PERSON IN GAL 5.

FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN NEXT IS JOY.

ARE WE JOYFUL?

THIS MATTER OF JOY WAS AMONG THE HIGHEST TEACHINGS OF JESUS WHEN HE CAME AMONG US TO BRING US THE GOSPEL.

JOHN 15:11: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full”.

WE DO NOT SERVE GOD OUT OF FEAR OR GUILT OR EVEN DUTY.

WE SERVE HIM OUT OF JOY, DEEP GRATITUDE, HAPPY FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US.

WE OWE HIM OUR LIVES BOTH HERE AND FOREVER.

THROUGH HIS SALVATION OUR PAST HAS BEEN FORGIVEN, OUR PRESENT HAS BEEN GIVEN MEANING, AND OUR ETERNAL FUTURE HAS BEEN SECURED.

MOTHER TERESA ONCE SAID “HOLY LIVING CONSISTS IN DOING GOD'S WORK WITH A SMILE IN JOY”.

IN THE BEGINNING OF CHAPTER TWO PAUL PROVIDES US A NICE INTRODUCTION INTO OUR STUDY VERSES TODAY.

HE SAYS IN VERSES 2-4 :

“Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than ourselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

PAUL COULD NOT MAKE HIS MESSAGE ANY CLEARER.

JOY IN CHRIST FOLLOWS WHEN WE BECOME HUMBLE SERVANTS.

WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL TO REMEMBER THAT HUMILITY IS NOT THINKING LESS OF YOURSELF, BUT IS THINKING OF YOURSELF LESS.

THIS IS PAUL'S BEGINNING MESSAGE IN THIS CHAPTER, ESTEEMING OTHERS BETTER THAN OURSELVES.

NOW PAUL BEGINS OUR STUDY OF TODAY IN VERSES 14-30 BY TEACHING US PRACTICAL WAYS TO OBEY THIS LESSON.

LOOK AT VERSES 14-16:

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I run not in  vain or labored in vain.”

HERE PAUL STRONGLY TEACHES WE MUST HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD, NOT MURMURING OR COMPLAINING AS THE HEBREWS DID CONSTANTLY IN THE WILDERNESS.

HERE IS HOLY ADVICE THAT WE ARE TO TRUST IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD, THE GOODNESS OF ONE ANOTHER, AND REMEMBERING WE ARE TO BE A BEACON OF LIGHT IN A DARKENING WORLD.

IN THIS COMMAND THE EMPHASIS FALLS ON “ALL THINGS”, NOT SOME THINGS, OR MOST THINGS BUT ALL THINGS.

IN THIS MANNER WE SHOW OURSELVES TO BE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, COMING TO BE BLAMELESS BEFORE HIM IN OUR HEARTS & SPIRIT.

HERE WE SEE PAUL HARKENING BACK ALSO TO A CROOKED AND PERVERSE GENERATION MENTIONED IN DEUT 32:5 WHERE THESE WORDS FIRST OCCUR.

PAUL IS SAYING HERE THAT MORE MODERN CHRISTIANS  SHOULD NOT BE LIKE THE REBELLIOUS HEBREWS WHO WERE CONSTANTLY COMPLAINING AND DISPUTING WITH GOD.

AS WE DO SO, WE BECOME LIGHTS IN THE WORLD, AND WE NOTICE THAT PAUL DOES NOT SAY WE MUST DO ANYTHING ELSE TO SHINE.

SIMPLY BE CAREFUL TO OBEY THIS COMMAND AND WE THEN ARE SHINING.

THIS IS A GREAT TEACHING BY PAUL IF WE THINK OF WHAT LIGHTS IN A DARK WORLD ACTUALLY DO.

LIGHTS ARE USED TO MAKE THINGS MORE EVIDENT

LIGHTS ARE USED TO GUIDE.

LIGHTS ARE USED AS A WARNING.

LIGHTS ARE USED TO BRING CHEER.

LIGHTS SHOW THE SAFE WAY TO PROCEED OUT OF DARKNESS.

AS WE SHINE WE ARE TO HOLD FAST TO THE WORD OF LIFE WHICH IS THE TITLE OF TODAY'S LESSON.

AS WE DO SO, WE REJOICE AND KNOW THAT OUR JOY WILL BE SURE IN THE DAY OF CHRIST.

PAUL IS ACTING HERE AS A FAITHFUL SHEPHERD, STEERING THE FLOCK TOWARD SAFE PASTURE ETERNALLY.

IN VERSES 17-18 PAUL PROVIDES HIMSELF AS A PERSONAL EXAMPLE OF HIS OWN EFFORTS TO PRACTICE WHAT HE IS PREACHING.

HE SAYS HE IS BEING POURED OUT AS A DRINK OFFERING ON THE SACRIFICE AND SERVICE OF THE FAITH OF THE MEMBERS AND HE IS GLAD AND HE REJOICES WITH THEM AS THEY REJOICE WITH HIM.

AGAIN PAUL HARKENS BACK TO HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES AND USES THE EXACT WORDS OF NUMBERS 15 & 28 WHICH DESCRIBE SUCH DRINK OFFERINGS.

A SECOND MEANING IN THESE VERSES IS THAT PAUL UNDERSTOOD THAT HE MAY SOON BE EXECUTED AND THAT HIS OFFERING MAY BE HIS OWN LIFE AS A SACRIFICE FOR JESUS AND THE GOSPEL.

NOW IN VERSES 19-22 PAUL WRITES ABOUT TIMOTHY AND HIS SOON ANTICIPATED VISIT TO THE CHURCH SENT BY PAUL.

HE SAYS HE TRUSTS IN THE LORD, RELYING ON GOD TO SET THE TIMING AND RESULTS OF THE VISIT BY TIMOTHY.

HE SAYS HE THINKS HE WILL BE ENCOURAGED BY THE REPORT BROUGHT BACK BY HIS MESSENGER.

HE SAYS TIMOTHY WILL SINCERELY CARE FOR THOSE IN THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI AND PAUL REPEATS HERE HIS OWN WISH TO VISIT THE CHURCH HIMSELF.

HE SAYS HE TRUSTS IN GOD TO MAKE THE WELCOME BY THE CHURCH TO TIMOTHY WARM AND NOT TO THINK THAT PAUL DID NOT WANT TO COME.

NEXT IN VERSES 25-26 PAUL ALSO MENTIONS THAT ANOTHER MESSENGER WILL BE COMING TO THE CHURCH AS WELL, EPAPHRODITUS.

THIS MAN WAS A BROTHER IN CHRIST AND A FELLOW WORKER, DESCRIBED AS A SOLDIER WHO HAD BEEN MINISTERING TO THE NEEDS OF PAUL.

EPAPHRODITUS WAS LONGING FOR THE CHURCH AND THE MEMBERS AND WAS DISTRESSED BECAUSE HE WAS QUITE ILL.

PAUL'S DESCRIPTION OF THIS MAN ALLOWS US TO SEE THREE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Brother speaks of a relationship of love to be enjoyed.

• Worker speaks of a job to be done.

• Soldier speaks of a battle to be fought.

SINCE HE HAD BEEN ILL, PAUL'S SENDING OF HIM WILL CALM ANY FEARS THE MEMBERS MAY HAVE THAT HIS ILLNESS WAS NOT IMPROVING.

THE MEMBERS WOULD HAVE PEACE OF MIND TO SEE HIM RECOVERING AND BACK AMONG THEM ONCE MORE.

HE HAD BEEN SICK CLOSE TO DEATH, BUT GOD HAD SHOWN HIS MERCY ON HIM AND HE HAD RECOVERED.

THERE IS NOTHING HERE THAT LEADS US TO BELIEVE THAT PAUL PERFORMED SOME MIRACLE HEALING.

HIS RETURN TO HEALTH WAS GOD'S INTERVENTION TO HEAL HIM.

GOD'S HEALING WAS ALSO A MERCY TO PAUL HIMSELF.

IF EPAPHRODITUS HAD DIED, PAUL WOULD HAVE SUFFERED MUCH SORROW BECAUSE A FELLOW BROTHER, WORKER, & SOLDIER WAS NO LONGER IN LIFE TO HELP SPREAD THE GOSPEL MESSAGE.

SO IN VERSES 28-30 PAUL PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CHURCH AS TO HOW HE WOULD LIKE EPAPHRODITUS TO BE RECEIVED.

HE SHOULD BE RECEIVED IN THE LORD WITH GLADNESS AS THIS MAN HAD MINISTERED TO PAUL IN HIS TIME OF NEED.

HE HAD NOT REGARDED HIS OWN LIFE, BUT CONTINUED TO WORK IN THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL SHOWING A NOBLE HEART IN SERVICE.

SO PAUL IS STRONGLY PROUD OF HIM AND EAGERLY SENDS HIM ON THE ERRAND TO THE CHURCH.

THESE THREE MEN, PAUL AND TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS WERE BLESSINGS TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE WORK OF THE LORD.

THESE THREE DEMONSTRATED THAT SERVICE TO THE LORD CAN BE FOUND IN SERVICE TO OTHERS.

THEY WERE HUMBLE IN SERVICE TO THE LORD, REFLECTING THE TEACHINGS OF THIS CHAPTER THAT WAS WELL TAUGHT BY PAUL BACK IN VERSE 3, ESTEEMING OTHERS BETTER THAN THEMSELVES.

2,000 YEARS LATER THIS MESSAGE IS AS PURE AND VALID TODAY AS IT WAS AT THE TIME PAUL WROTE THESE WORDS.

Philippians 2: Points to Ponder

6-8

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant

… in the likeness of men … he humbled himself and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”

Jesus, in the eternal plan, (known since Genesis 3:15), came to us as a servant, becoming flesh, but not in our most sinful flesh, rather in the likeness of it.

(Romans 8:3 “... God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh...”)

Angels are servants also, but not in the likeness of man. He chose this form.

As such, he humbled Himself as an example to us of full obedience. How did He do so?

HE HUMBLED HIMSELF:

• Taking the form of man and not an angel.

• Born in an obscure place among common but disparaged people.

• Born as a child, helpless, not as a full grown man.

• Submitting Himself to obedience in a human household.

• Learning and practicing a manual trade, a carpenter.

• Waiting to serve until age 30 (obedient in full to Numbers 4:3).

• Being submitted unto temptation, as are men, but never yielding.

• Enduring hunger, thirst, and at times weariness.

• Submitting Himself in full obedience to His Father (“... not my will but thine...”)

• Being willing, in that obedience, to suffer the humiliation of the cross.

• Accepting shame, mocking, and physical torture to receive the cross.

• Taking on Himself spiritual agony, feeling forsaken, as he shouldered sin.

• (Psalm 22:1  “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me...”)

Jesus could have appeared to all mankind in the form of a 33 year old being, in glorified form, transfigured for every eye to see, and taught men what they needed to hear. Yet, He did not. He humbled Himself to show us the honor that humility in obedience to God can bring. 

We at times focus on the glory of the rising of the Lord without full attention on the path that Jesus took to reach that moment. Suffering in humility came before glory.

This picture Paul paints for us commands us to follow Jesus' pattern of patient and humble obedience in order to be more fully conformed to His image as God intends.

“O man, … what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly before thy God?” Micah 6:8

Philippians - Chapter 3

Warnings of false teachers & giving all for Christ

Paul warns against false teachers:

Chapter 3 begins with the word “finally” which lends some evidence to the letter being several letters cobbled together as this chapter actually starts the last half of the book, not its end.

Paul repeats some earlier thoughts but shows he understands that repetition sometimes is necessary to emphasize certain points. He tells the believers to rejoice in spite of their difficult circumstances and warns them about division in the church. 

Paul goes further than ever before in his direct tone in his warnings concerning those causing discord as he tells them to lookout for:

“dogs”: this name is not a reference to family pets but rather wild and dirty animals and was normally a derogatory term used by Jews to describe Gentiles, so Paul throws the term back at the Jewish troublemakers.

“evil workers”: these who were sowing ill will actually thought they were spreading good will by being good Jews and insisting upon Jewish customs being honored, but Paul says they are evil and are corrupting the true gospel.

“those who cause injury”: Paul uses another of his wonderful word pictures by the uses of the word concision. The Jews were proud of their circumcision, which was known to mean “cutting around”. Paul knew that Leviticus 21:5 prohibited the cutting of the body so he uses a word that means “cutting to pieces” referring to the fact that these Jews were causing injury against the will of God. Paul did not preach adherence to ceremony but rather circumcision of the heart for Christ.

Paul’s advantages:

In terms of advantages of those who trust in the flesh, Paul says his advantages from his family are many:

1. He was circumcised at 8 days old, so his parents obeyed the command to Abraham, which was before the gospel. He was Jewish from his beginning.

2. He belonged to Israel by birth and therefore as a Jew had a special relationship with God, as part of the chosen people.

3. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, and his tribal father was the son of Rachel, loved by Jacob. The first king, Saul, was of his tribe and Jerusalem was within the territory of his tribe.

4. He was a pure Hebrew, speaking Hebrew & Greek and had studied under Gamiliel, the famous Jewish teacher. He was a Pharisee, the most strict Jews, obeying all the details of the faith before he was converted.

5. He had defended the Jewish faith by trying to destroy the Christian faith and he had not forgotten his efforts to stop his new faith in earlier days.

6. He was “without blame” in observing the law.

7-11:

Knowing Christ

After conversion, Paul gave up all his advantages of the Jewish faith and thought of them as bad debts or loss for Christ.

To know Christ was of far greater advantage with greater benefits than all those he knew before.
Paul had no goodness of his own. His right relationship with God did not come from the law of Moses. Paul looked forward to the day of judgment when he would be completely united in Christ. His one aim now was to know Christ in a close way  because:

1. Just as God raised Jesus from the dead, He raises believers together with Christ in renewed life.

2. When we struggle against sin, we share in the pain and troubles known by Christ. To Paul, all his struggles were honor for Christ.

3. We share in the death of the Lord as we are dead to sin when we are in Him. 

12-16:

Paul is running near the end of the race

Paul knew he was not yet perfected. He knew he would be more perfect at the resurrection than he could be here. He knew Christ had a purpose for his life when he was converted on the Damascus road.

Paul wanted the believers at Philippi to not believe the false teachers who were spreading false doctrine. Paul uses the word picture of a runner in a race who should not look back and should leave behind past life issues as they move forward in Christ. Being more perfect meant becoming more mature in faith.

The prize for the winner of the race is perfect friendship with the Lord and glory forever in eternal life. While here, believers should guide their lives (their race) by the truths found in the gospel.

17-19:

Enemies of the cross of Christ

Paul warns the believers against the ones who teach that Christ is not sufficient for salvation and he worries that they are in danger spiritually. There were enemies there who included:

1. Jewish Christians who he had earlier described as dogs.

2. Christians who said they no longer needed to be obedient to some of the past teachings, such as the ten commandments, and thought that they could do whatever they wished after they had accepted Christ.

3. Some who worshipped the body (their belly) and whose glory is in their shame, and who mind earthly things. These thought that the body could be filled by eating or drinking to excess.

20-21:

Citizens of Heaven

Paul contrasts believers to those who think only of this world. Christians are not of this world, but are citizens of Heaven therefore their behavior must match the higher standards of the Lord. The body of this world is weak but it will be changed when Christ returns, fashioned like his glorious body, for He has authority over all things.

Philippians 3: Points to Ponder

V5: “circumcised the eighth day, … of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;

as to the law, a Pharisee.”

Paul further identifies himself as a member of the proud family of Benjamin, the youngest of Jacob's children, so therefore holding a special place in Jacob's heart, born of Rachel. He alone, among Jacob's children, was born in the land of promise. His character was understood by early Christian learned men as fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 49:27, which speaks of Benjamin being a ravenous wolf who, in the morning devours the prey, and in the evening divides the spoils (predicting perhaps the zeal of Paul in persecuting Christians before his conversion).

As a Pharisee, Paul studied at the knee of Gamaliel, a great Rabbi. Paul was a master of the OT, and no man could “out Pharisee” Paul, which shows the wisdom God brought to convert him to His service. Paul blazed the way for Gentiles to the gospel, and constructed the argument against the circumcision of the flesh. Paul was well aware that Moses himself taught in Deuteronomy (our 30:6) that “... the Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart, to love the Lord thy God...”.

V9: “... not having a righteousness of my own derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God...”.

The problem that Paul faced was to counter the argument that had lasted 1500 years that simply by being born Jewish guaranteed salvation under Yahweh, and that the more the law was obeyed, the greater the reward on the last day. In the Jewish faith, righteousness was derived from the blood inherited from Abraham. Paul agreed that righteousness was inherited from blood, but that it arrived ONLY from the blood shed by Jesus Christ, which established the eternal family of faith.

Paul is clear and leaves no shadow on this point as he will teach the Roman church in Romans 3:10, which quotes Psalm 53:1:

THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE

The root of our problem before God is a lack of the righteousness necessary to stand justified before a perfect and holy God. Paul lays his finger precisely on this issue to the Jews in his perfect choice of words in this verse describing them as thinking they had righteousness derived from the law, when the law grants none. Paul is in full spiritual battle mode here when he teaches that no law observed by man calls forth the righteousness to enter a relationship with God. The law of Moses was only our schoolmaster, pointing forward to the One who would be the only one to be able to fulfill it, Christ. So therefore Paul recognizes only the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. What is the clear and full gospel teaching on this matter?

Romans 3:20:

“THEREFORE BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW THERE SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED”

Philippians - Chapter 4

A CALL TO REJOICE

1-3:

Paul appeals for a steady faith and unity

While there are many enemies of the cross, Christians can look forward to the return of Jesus Christ. In doing so they must be strong. Paul shows his great love for the believers in the church as Philippi. He calls them his “dear brothers and sisters” and his “joy and crown”. He had the joy of knowing they were faithful and the crown was not a golden royal crown, but rather a crown of leaves such as those awarded to the winner of a race. Paul’s reward would be all these faithful ones gathered one day at the feast in heaven. 

Paul again mentions the two faithful women and asks them to agree in the Lord, resolving their differences in love.

Paul mentions others and it seems there are more than a few as he uses the phrase “other companions” and uses the interesting word picture of the names in the book of life. We see this same reference several times in scripture (Daniel 12:1 & Luke 10:20 & Revelation 13:8) as the information that God has a record of each one who is His.

4-9:

Paul encourages and gives instructions

Paul again urges the believers to rejoice. He has used this word four times previously (1:1-4 & 2:7 & 2:18 & 3:1). Joy is to be found because Christ is always near.

Christians should behave toward others with mercy, patience, and understanding love. Just as God deals kindly with them, they should deal kindly with those who make mistakes.

Believers are advised to pray about all things, especially that:

1. God will forgive them their past shortcomings.

2. God will attend to their current needs, in body & spirit.

3. God will guide them in the future.

Paul teaches that God’s love desires what is best for us. His wisdom knows what is best. His power can cause the best to happen. Every prayer should include thanks and praise.

Prayer will bring us God’s peace in our hearts and the peace will guard our hearts like a soldier guards his post. The peace comes from our unity with Jesus Christ and is far beyond peace we may know between our fellow men. Paul gives a list of those specific things a Christian should think about to help them live in a way pleasing to the Lord:

1. True things, those that are genuine, not false.

2. Noble things, concentration should be on serious matters and time should not be wasted on things that matter little.

3. Right things, doing what God wants and dealing fairly with others.

4. Pure things, thoughts are not unclean so to be suitable to God.

5. Lovely things, kindness toward others which brings love in return.

6. Praise things, meaning choosing proper words in our thoughts.

7. Paul’s example, taught to the believers by both words and deeds in Paul’s life.

10-20:

Paul gives thanks for their gift

Paul teaches the believers that their gift to him should be their lives and faithfulness and that he wished to have these things, not their money. He brings his most eloquent lesson by telling them he has learned to be content in whatever circumstance he finds himself. Remember he is sitting in a Roman prison as he writes.

He teaches that gifts from the faithful make no one poor because God provides for those needs they may have and he terms his lesson as “great riches in Christ Jesus” and these faithful ones will receive true wealth as they know God’s immense love.

21-23:

Final greetings

Paul sends final greetings from himself and all those in Rome (Caesar’s house). He began this letter by praying that his friends at Philippi might have grace & peace from God. He ends it by sending them his blessing. The whole letter from start to finish brings honor to Christ.

AMEN

Philippians 4: Points to Ponder

In Galatians 5, Paul reveals to us that once we are in the Spirit we are no longer focused on the lusts of the flesh, rather we are to exercise our faith in the fruits of the Spirit, proving daily we are possessions of the Lord. The first of those fruits is love, and Jesus commanded in His new Royal Command that we are to love God with all of our being and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. The next fruit is joy, the basic teaching of our study book of Philippians.

As believers we are taught that the proper definition of joy from a faith perspective is:

GLADNESS IN SPITE OF CIRCUMSTANCE

Now in chapter four, Paul allows us a glimpse inside his own mind as to what that means and how we discover it.

Joy can be found even in conflict when we:

• Stand together (4:1)

• Think together (4:2)

• Work together (4:3)

• Worship together (4:4)

• Yield together (4:5)

• Remember together (4:5)

Joy can be found in the peace of God when we:

• Commit our lives to prayer (4:6-7)

• Discipline our minds (4:8)

• Live in active obedience (4:9)

Joy can be found in contentment when we remember:

• Contentment is a matter of focus (4:10)

• Contentment is a matter of learning (4:11-12)

• Contentment is a matter of dependence (4:13)

Joy can be found in Gospel Partnership when we:

• Share affliction (4:14)

• Share mission (4:15-16)

• Share commitment (4:17)

• Share worship (4:18)

• Share our source (4:19)

Joy can be found as a basis of Christian life when we:

• Praise the glory of what God has given (4:20)

• Extend that praise to all our greetings (4:21-22)

• Rejoice that the grace of Christ is with us (4:23)

Philippians & Joy

ONE OF THE MOST CONSTANT CRITICISMS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS THAT IT IS A  DOUR AND RESTRICTIVE LIFE, NOT FUN, WAY TOO SERIOUS, & THAT YOU CAN SEE EVIDENCE OF THAT ON THE FACE OF THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIAN.

WE ALL HAVE HEARD OF THE SIMPLE ANAGRAM USED BY BAPTIST PREACHERS TO COUNTER THIS THOUGHT 

J - O - Y

JESUS FIRST     

OTHERS SECOND   

YOURSELF THIRD

WE ALL KNOW THAT THE TRUTH IS THAT THE LIFE IN CHRIST IS FILLED WITH JOY & REJOICING & BRINGS SPIRITUAL FREEDOM INTO OUR HEARTS. BUT DO OUR FACES DISPLAY THAT JOY AS WE WORSHIP?

DOES OUR COUNTENANCE GIVE LIFE TO THE CRITICS OF THE LORD?

WHEN WE ENTER OUR WORSHIP HOUR DO WE SEE SHINING SMILING FACES ABOUNDING WITH JOY SEEKING & REJOICING THE TRUTH?

THE WORD OF GOD, OUR HOLY SCRIPTURES, GIVES US EXACTLY 24 EXAMPLES OF JOY IN EACH OF THE TESTAMENTS. LET'S SEE JUST A FEW:

• JER 15:16 “ … thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart...”

• MT 25:21 “... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord...”

• LK 1:44 (ELIZABETH) “... the babe leaped in my womb for joy...”

• JN 15:11 (JESUS) “ these things have I spoken to you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full...”

• JN 16:22 “... your joy no man taketh from you...”

• RO 14:17 “...the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost...”

AND FINALLY

IS 12:3 “... therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the well of salvation...”

WHAT WAS PAUL DOING TO EXPERIENCE THIS JOY? 

HE WAS IN A ROMAN PRISON, FACING DEATH, AND YET WAS STRONGLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHURCHES. 

IN PHIL 2:5-11 HE WILL REVEAL TO US THE BASIS OF HIS JOY, WHICH IS HAVING AN ATTITUDE LIKE JESUS, OBEDIENT EVEN UNTO DEATH.

IN 2:3-4 HE TEACHES US TO DO NOTHING OUT OF RIVALRY BUT IN HUMILITY CONSIDER OTHERS MORE IMPROTANT THAN OURSELVES.