The Letter to the Philippians

I THINK OF YOU WITH DELIGHT  Read Philippians 1:1-7

   Paul opens his greatly beloved epistle with a warm greeting to the Christian people of Philippi, together with their overseers and deacons. Each time I think of you [he says] it is with delight; and I remember to thank God for your fellowship in the gospel. I am confident that God will continue to keep you steadfast, for you all are partakers of my grace.

GOD CAN EVEN USE A JAIL  Read 1:8-14

   I long to see you, and pray that your lives may be filled with fruits of righteousness until the day of Christ. As for myself, everything has worked out for the advancement of the glad tidings, so that even my imprisonment has opened up a witness in the Roman imperial guard and elsewhere. This has encouraged other brethren to speak the word fearlessly.

WHAT DOES IT MATTER HOW?  Read 1:15-20

   Of course there are some who are hurling epithets while they talk about Christ, thinking thereby to make my confinement that much harder to endure. But there are others who know me, and they preach out of genuine good will and love for men. It doesn't

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matter how, for I rejoice every way that Christ is preached, and I expect to continue to magnify Christ in my body here in this prison, even if it be by my execution.

TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST  Read 1:21-26

   To me to live is Christ, while to die is better yet. Right now, with my sentence in doubt, I cannot tell which it will be. To go to be with the Lord is my highest wish, and yet I know it would be to your advantage if I remained in the flesh. And so I would prefer to continue with you and help you to advance in the joy of faith.

TO BELIEVE, YES, AND TO SUFFER  Read 1:27-30

   See that your conduct is worthy of the gospel, and that you stand fast in one spirit and work together. Don't let anyone panic you. It is your privilege not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer in his behalf, for we all are in this fight.

ADOPT THE ATTRIBUTES OF CHRIST  Read 2:1-4

   Since there is such inspiration and encouragement in the person of Christ, I would ask you, my friends in Philippi, to make my joy complete by patterning your lives after his — particularly in maintaining a humble, thoughtful, unselfish relationship toward each other.

WHO LEFT HEAVEN FOR EARTH  Read 2:5-11

   Let Christ take control of your mind. Notice that although he existed in the form of God, he laid aside all the attributes of God, took the humiliating role of a slave and was obedient unto death. It was for this reason that God the Father exalted him above every name on earth, that the whole universe should bow in his presence and confess him as Lord.

WORK OUT WHAT GOD WORKS IN  Read 2:12-18

   You, as Christians, should carefully work out the details of the new life in every life situation, realizing that it is really God

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working in you. Avoid the temptation to grumble and rationalize. Your role is quite uncomplicated: it is to be guileless and above reproach in the midst of a perverted and crooked generation. When you shine in the world and hold forth the word of life, I will know that my labor has not been in vain.

THREE OF US WILL BE COMING  Read 2:19-30

   I hope to send Timothy to Philippi to bring me news of you, as soon as I learn how my case turns out. There is no one like him, really. Everyone else seems to be looking after his own interests, but not Timothy; he has been a true son in the gospel.

   I feel confident that I too will be coming to Philippi shortly. Meanwhile I am sending back Epaphroditus, who has been more than homesick to see you; actually he has been ill to the point of death for the work of Christ. God has had compassion on him, however, and now that he is able to travel, I know you will welcome him with joy and honor.

WATCH OUT FOR FLESH-MUTILATORS  Read 3:1-9

   So, friends, delight yourselves in the Lord, and if I seem repetitious it is only for your protection. Keep your eye on those religionists who like to mutilate the flesh. God is interested in spiritual circumcision only — the cutting off of the self-life. Who has a better right to trust in the flesh than I, a circumcised Benjamite, a blameless Pharisee, a "defender of the faith"? But do you know what I think of it all? I think it garbage compared to the excellency of Christ Jesus my Lord.

A GREAT PRIZE IS IN STORE  Read 3:10-14

   My one aim is to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings. I am by no means perfect, but Christ has laid hold of me and I am on my way. My past is dead; I look to God's future. The prize is nothing less than the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and the resurrection from the dead.

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WE LOOK FOR MESSIAH'S RETURN  Read 3:15-21

   If you have other ideas about God's purpose for you, God will make the matter clear to you. Meanwhile let us hold fast to what we do know, and live by it. You can trust my example, Philippians. Believe me, there are enemies of the cross of Christ among us, but they are doomed. Our sure citizenship is in heaven, and we await calmly the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will make us over in the image of his glorious body.

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CHRIST-LIFE  Read 4:1-7

   Hold steady in the Lord, beloved. Euodia and Syntyche should learn to get along as Christians. I will ask Synzygus (a true yokefellow, as his name implies) to help them out; they were real warriors with me in the gospel. Enjoy the Lord, show consideration toward others, and don't get upset over your cares and problems; remember, the Lord is at hand. Take all your requests directly to him — with thanksgiving — and his peace which passes all understanding will guard you in Christ Jesus.

THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH  Read 4:8-13

   Occupy your minds with positive thoughts of truth, beauty, goodness, justice and things of good report, as I have taught you. I appreciate deeply your latest expression of thoughtfulness to me in prison. However, I am all right; I have been taught to live as a prince and as a pauper; to get along with meals or without them. I can face anything in the strength of Christ who puts his power in me.

YOU HAVE BEEN GOOD TO ME  Read 4:14-20

   You Philippians have always been good to me. In the early days I recall that you alone sent me support after I left Macedonia. Twice you helped out during the mission in Thessalonica. I am not eager for this help, but I do want fruit to grace your ministry for the Lord. Now Epaphroditus has brought your latest sacrificial gift and, praise the Lord, I know God will fill up all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

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GREETINGS FROM A JAIL CELL  Read 4:21-23

   The brethren with me, and particularly the new converts in the imperial guard, send you greetings. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

   You will not find a lovelier book in the Bible than Philippians, written to a church that had endeared itself to Paul by solicitously looking after him on his evangelistic journeys. The letter breathes spiritual joy and peace.

   Picture to yourself the background: a Jew from Cilicia sitting in a Roman jail, dictating to a Greek disciple a message to Macedonian Christians, calling them his "joy and crown" and telling of converts he is making in the imperial guard. Ask yourself, under such circumstances, what kind of letter you would write. Compare what you might say with the inspired Word. Then compare the tone of Philippians with Galatians.

   Certain clues in this letter suggest where Paul was being held (1:13, 4:22), and point to the imminent conclusion of his case (1:21-24).

   In chapter 2:5-11 we find the classic New Testament expression of the Incarnation — not as a doctrinal thesis, but rather as an illustration of Paul's discussion of Christian humility.

   Chapters 3 and 4 provide insight into Paul's personal experience of Jesus Christ such as we can discover nowhere else. Among the most important points are:

   (1) Character, reputation, personal achievement and social status are considered hollow and valueless compared with the treasure of knowing Christ (3:7).

   (2) The Christian is to press eagerly toward the goal of spiritual maturity (3:14).

   (3) The peace of God comes through constructive thinking, intercessory prayer, and contentment which is a reflex of trust (4:6,8,11).

   (4) Christ is equal to any challenge (4:13).

   If you have scaled these mountain peaks with Paul, you are at home in this portion of Philippians. Notice that again and again Paul's love for his fellow believers keeps breaking through. For nineteen hundred years these marvelous verses have set a pattern for dedicated Christian living.

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