And about time, too! I started discussing Philippians on my Sacred Hideaway show, which "airs" on Radio CIA Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm ET, and now it's time (past time!) to get cracking and write about what I'm going to be teaching.
(Don't forget, if you missed Monday, make sure you tune in on Thursday when the show re-airs!)
Now, a bit of background for the book of Philippians: the church at Philippi was founded during the second missionary journey of the Apostle Paul, somewhere around AD 49-52. Philippi was located on the north of Greece's east coast, and was captured by the Romans ca. 42 BC and turned into a military outpost. Since Philippi was apparently not a huge trade town, its residents were apparently not very wealthy as a rule.
Paul and Silas, who was Paul's partner on this journey, were directed to go west from Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) to Macedonia in a dream. (see Acts 16:9,10). Somewhere about this time, Luke joined the group - it's not explicitly stated, but the narrative shifts from third person to first person, using "we" and "us" instead of "he" and "they." Since we know that Luke wrote the book of Acts, I am assuming that this is when Luke meets Paul.
The first convert in Philippi was Lydia, a "seller of purple" from Thyatira, which was a city in Asia Minor (oddly enough, the earlier part of Paul's missionary journey had taken him far closer to Lydia's home city...). Paul also delivered a slave girl from a demon, which caused him to be thrown in jail with Silas. God sent an earthquake to free them, and through this event, their jailer and his house were saved - and the Philippian church was born.
I find it very interesting that Paul, while jailed in Philippi, was singing hymns and praises, and is incarcerated again (in Rome this time) when he writes this epistle. Philippians is sometimes known as the letter of "joy," and this theme runs throughout the book. Although Paul is in chains, he rejoices in the church of Philippi, and he rejoices that the Gospel is preached and heard.
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here is the first instance of the theme of this book: "grace." This is the Greek word, χάρις - "charis" - which means "good will, loving-kindness, favor... of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues." But charis also has an aspect of joy - as in something which brings joy or which makes one joyful.
Paul also wishes the Philippians εἰρήνη, or "eirēnē" - peace. This is the peace which is from God, the peace we have with God now that we are no longer in rebellion against Him and have gratefully accepted His gift of salvation. This is the peace which surpasses understanding, to which only the children of God have access.
Paul likes to open his letters this way; there is only one, Galatians, where he does not offer similar sentiments to the recipients - and he had very good reason (but that's for another post)!
But then he goes past the typical greetings and really starts talking TO the Philippians:
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
Paul obviously loves this church! Each and every time they come to mind, they bring gratitude and joy (Greek χαρά – chara - "joy, gladness, the joy received from you, the cause or occasion of joy, of persons who are one's joy") to him, and he thanks God for them. Not the close relationship between the two words, charis and chara - they both appear to derive from the root word, chairō, which is a verb which means to rejoice, to be exceedingly glad.
Note also that Paul is in regular prayer for this church, even though they do not appear to have any "prayer requests." Of course, I don't know that Paul had no particular people he prayed to God for healing or so on, but he doesn't mention it here. This is a very good reminder that Christians need to be always praying, everywhere, in every circumstance. We need to keep our godly leaders in prayer so that they are protected and guarded, just as much as we need to come to the Throne to request healing, guidance and salvation. We are not to pray with a "please, I need this, that and the other" alone; although we certainly need God's grace and mercy every day, we need to remember to pray in thanksgiving and joy for all He has done and is doing.
But look at what Paul writes: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you..." Can you imagine what kind of Christian walk this church must have had? Their faithfulness and devotion to their Savior must have been wonderful for Paul to see. The fact that Paul can make every prayer a prayer of gratitude and delight strongly implies (to me, anyway) that the Philippians were devout and sincere disciples of Jesus Christ in all aspects of their lives. Their walk with their Savior was a source of joy for Paul and gave him great pleasure and happiness.
Not only that, but they also partnered with Paul in missions:
5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
"Fellowship," or κοινωνία "koinōnia," refers to the joint participation, the partnership the Philippian church had with Paul in proclaiming the Gospel. This fellowship had been consistent from the day Paul first proclaimed the Gospel to them until the time he wrote this letter.
How often do we have that same allegiance to doing the work of God? In my own life, I tend to resemble a roller coaster more than anything; the highs and lows, speeding up and slowing down, breathless anticipation, wild exhilaration, and then abject terror... I really need to train in a simple, dedicated walk with God. Instead of dipping into the Bible here and there for "inspiration," I need to learn to spend time regularly with my Father in Heaven, concentrating on learning Him and His ways.
I need to learn to make constancy and devotion to God the center of my life. Then I can ride that roller coaster with peace and joy, because I'll be right in the middle of God's will and doing what He wants to do through me.
With that kind of walk with God, with that sort of daily perseverance, it is very easy for Paul to say
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Now, Paul's confidence isn't just in the dedication the Philippians have already shown, although that's certainly part of it. After all, this church is bearing the fruit of the Spirit in a highly visible and powerful way, so it's not surprising that Paul uses the word "confident." They have proven the reality of their salvation by the way they joyfully serve Christ.
But the vast majority of Paul's confidence is placed in the God who had called the Philippians to Himself, the God who makes promises and keeps them - the Lord God Almighty, who does whatever is His good will. Paul reminds the Philippians - and us - that it is not our power which accomplishes the miraculous transformation of spirit and character as we go through our Christian lives. No, it is GOD who is working within us, both to will and to do all His good pleasure (see Phil 2:13).
It amazes me that God would take someone like me - no one special, lost in sin - and transfer me out of death and into His kingdom of life. He gave His Holy Spirit to me, a treasure in an earthen vessel, to assure me of salvation and to give me His power working through me. In spite of all the times I fail, in spite of all the times I disobey, I have the confidence that I can always come back to God in repentance and be cleansed.
God promised that He will complete the good work He began in me - in all Christians - and He has never broken a promise.
7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
As you see here, Paul reiterates his love and care for the Philippian church - he "has them in his heart" and he "longs for them." These are people Paul knows well, who have become true friends, helpers and partners with him. What a blessing they must have been to him! Have you ever wanted someone who knew you and loved you and backed you to the hilt? Have you ever wanted somewhere that you could go and know that you'd be truly welcome, that you were really at home? Have you ever wanted to belong to something, and know that you were an important and valued member of the community?
Paul had that with the Philippians, and he returned their love and devotion to the utmost.
Of course, there is always room for improvement, so Paul prays
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
The Philippians had great love, and Paul prayed that that love would keep getting bigger and bigger - but not in ignorance. When writing his epistles, Paul frequently brings this up: love is to be according to knowledge, not ignorance. Although Christians are called to show the love of God to all, it is not a wishy-washy love, nor is it a permissive love.
Godly love is supposed to be according to God's character! It does not excuse sin, although it can forgive it. It does not offer empty promises, but works tirelessly for the eternal good of the loved one. Godly love is not selfish, but humble, not needing pride and arrogance. But we cannot exhibit this love without first knowing the Source of this love (God - for those who haven't had their caffeine yet, LOL), and then studying His character and His ways.
I just saw today that Barack Obama believes that the Sermon on the Mount allowed for same-sex unions, and that Romans 1 is an "obscure passage." Well, this is love without knowledge and discernment, because if he is going to claim to be a Christian, he needs to remember that
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Just because we don't agree with what Scripture says, does not mean we get to rewrite it. As we walk with Christ, as we come to know Him more and love Him better, we should become more and more like Him, holy and pure.
And what is the result of growing in a wise and discerning love?
10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The word for "approve" here is the Greek "dokimazō" which means to "test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not)." Again, Paul is saying that the things we value ought to be determined by careful evaluation of whether they are in line with God's character and will. If they do not lead to a more holy and righteous life, a deeper relationship with God based upon truth, then they are probably not as "excellent, loving, or kind" as we might like to think.
When we value Truth - the living embodiment of Truth, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior - then our lives will shine in pure sincerity, illustrating the beauty and holiness of God. Our lives will also be "without offense," because there will be no hypocrisy in us; we will live according to God's standards, and no one will be able to bring an honest charge against us.
Yes, the Christian life, when lived in committed discipleship, will cause others to be offended - but then, sinful man is always offended when confronted with the holiness and purity of God, even in small doses. But when Christians dedicate themselves to serving Jesus in humility and joy, following Him wholeheartedly, God will bring forth fruit - eternal fruit - in our lives, and people will see His love and power in us.
As Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 -
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
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