Philippians was written by Paul, as he was imprisoned in Rome in approximately 60 A.D. This imprisonment is verified in Acts 28:14-31 (see also Phil 1:13, 4:22). Although some claim that Paul could have been captive in Caesarea or Ephesus, the record corroborates Rome as the most likely place where he awaited trial. While in this “house arrest” situation, Paul writes this beautiful letter or perseverance and encouragement to the people of Philippi, a Roman colony. In Philippi, the people of this region prided themselves as being Romans. They dressed like Romans and also spoke in Latin. Much of the inhabitants of the Philippi colony were military, given the land in exchange for patrolling it and enforcing the laws of Rome.
In this letter Paul addresses a number of important items to the believers of Philippi. Most notably, it is a letter of encouragement and a treatise to live a more joyful life in the face of circumstance. Faced with persecution, the believers of Philippi are to remain joyous and to rejoice. It is also meant for the believer to note and stand firm, in unity, against the hand of legalists that are actively infiltrating the church, and are even among them.
As we explore this letter, there are a number of truths Paul explores:
1. The importance of progress in the life of a Christian 2. The importance of a good spiritual outlook 3. Service as mentor to others, using Christ as an example 4. Trials and circumstance reveal our faith 5. The importance of prayer 6. Sharing the gospel individually and globally 7. God’s saving grace through Jesus
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippi’s church was founded by Paul 11 years before this letter was written, during Paul’s 2nd missionary journey and was the first Christian church established in Europe (Acts 16:11-40).
Although Timothy is announced along with Paul, it is widely acknowledged that Paul himself wrote this letter. Timothy and Paul stand in unity as mentor and student in the faith.
This letters addressed to essentially three different groups:
God’s Holy people: This is an address to Christians, people who are in the faith. In Paul’s day it is the Christian’s of Philippi, but it is also meaningful and important to us.
Overseers: In KJV and other translations, it is written as Bishops. But the original Greek is more in line with the general oversight of people, meaning those in a leadership role of other Christian people.
Deacons: Deacons are those who are recognized as people of service.
You may look at these three groups and attempt to find where you fit. A Christian can fit in all of these categories, but must fit into the “God’s Holy People” section. This is also often referred to as saints. This is the body of Christ, made up of many different people with many different gifts working for the glory of God in the way they were designed to work. When the body of Christ is truly moving in a unified fashion for the kingdom, then much can get done. As we read on, we’ll see that in the church of Philippi there are many who do move toward God fully, while others struggle, and still others are among them, infiltrating the masses and sowing seeds of discontent.
Thanksgiving and Prayer 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It wasn’t just that Paul ministered to the Philippians, but the Philippians were also very grateful to Paul and helped him too. This bore a symbiotic relationship that helped both parties, that continued whether Paul was with them (Acts 16:15,16:32-34), or when they were apart (2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:1-4). Because of this, Paul was filled with joy in his prayers for them. He saw their progress.
It could be easy for Paul, or any one of us, to develop an ego based on what we have accomplished in life. Anything we build can give us a false sense of pride, that we did it, on our own, with our two hands or our own mind. But this is not the case and Paul acknowledges that here. Instead of swelling with pride for the building and success of the church, he returns it to God. Paul understands that he is a caretaker for the time, a person meant to carry a message, to spread its seeds along the ground, until the ground is fertile enough for God to do what He needs to do. The scope of this understanding is important, for God’s important work, done by human hands, is necessary to be understood as His work, not ours. When we adopt a caretaker mentality, we can more fully understand that the work that God began in us will be carried forward and completed in our relationship with Christ.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Paul’s spiritual and emotional commitment to the Philippians is evidenced in these passages. The symbiotic relationship of respect and love is obvious to both Paul and this congregation.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s prayer is not as as simple as it first appears. He first calls on the Philippians, who already have the ability to show and give their love to others, increase that love. But it isn’t just about increasing their love, but sourcing it through discernment. Discern is derived from the Greek word Anakrino, which means “to distinguish, to separate out by diligent search, to examine.”
Discernment is an important concept to understand, for it is deeply linked with wisdom. It is the ability to enter a situation and have the insight and wisdom to make a determination about the situation. It is the ability to understand the good or bad in a moment.
It is obvious that most people operate with some sort of discernment. But if the ability to recognize good or evil in a situation is on some level in everyone, how does one increase it? How can a person grow his/her level of discernment in order to deepen the ability to recognize it?
First, a person who wants to develop their discernment must first understand truth. Is there an absolute truth or is truth a sliding scale based on the modern climate? From a Christian perspective, there is moral absolute truth. There are things that are right and things that are wrong. This is the elemental basis of the Christian faith. Discernment can be grown by connecting to the word and growing in an understanding of who God is, how Jesus and the Holy Sprit relate to God, and how this trinity relates to humanity.
This is what Paul is beginning to elude to: that true discernment only begins with love. Love is the basis of everything a Christian does. It is our motivation. And to grow in discernment is a by-product of growing in love, abounding in it. It is only through the ability to love more and to discern greater that we can understand who God is and grow towards Him.
When we grow in love and discernment, we identify what is important to God. We begin to understand what is best not only for us but the others in our life. When we understand what God wants for us in this world, then we can move toward the purity that God desires for us. This is all in an effort for the Day of Christ, the day when Christ will gather those into his kingdom and judge those in opposition to Him. If we move toward that day with a desire for purity, motivated in love, developed in a discernment that helps guide us to that goal, then when that day comes, we will be filled with the fruit of righteousness. That means that we have come to the point of doing right. Of desiring right. But it isn’t our own doing but through the glory of Jesus, who called us into the life.
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
While Paul was imprisoned during this time, he wrote Philippians, Ephesians and Colossians. During his last imprisonment he wrote both the books of Timothy. Because Paul was imprisoned didn’t mean that God couldn’t still use him in a giant way. Paul sees it. He realizes that his imprisonment is a tool in advancing the gospel. You’ll notice something extraordinary here: Paul doesn’t say it is for his benefit. In fact, his entire focus is to advance the gospel and he sees his imprisonment as an opportunity. The opportunity is:
1.The further the Gospel 2.Followers see his position and become more confident 3.Followers can proclaim the gospel without fear
The big question is this: do we use our situation as a deterrent to sharing the gospel? Do we say things like, “when I retire I’ll start sharing the gospel” or “Once I sort out my life I can begin”? God works in our situations, good and bad, inside and outside our trials, in order to exact his plan. Our job is to understand that even in our most dire situations we have an opportunity to share and grow others. Remember, trials, situations and circumstances are allowed into our life by God to test our faith, to build us stronger, so we can become the people He wants us to become. To become stronger and more mature. To grow our faith and understand His provision (James 1:2-4).
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Paul’s idea here is a simple one: he can rejoice in the preaching of the gospel, regardless of the motive behind it. This is different from preaching a gospel that is not true (Galatians 1:6-9). In Philippians, Paul is addressing the motive and comes to the realization that he cannot make a judgment on the motive. God will deal with the motive. Some are operating selfishly, others in good will. It isn’t for Paul to decide who wants to work against him and who is in support of him. It only matters that the gospel reaches as many as possible.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Paul was confident that the prayers of the Philippians aide his deliverance from prison. The Philippians already knew how the spirit of God moved, for may miracles happened among the Philippi people during Paul’s missions (Acts 16:11-40). Again, Paul’s aim isn’t to get out of prison but to serve God’s will. God’s exalting is the foremost object in Paul’s mind. This is the definition of submission: understanding that life isn’t about the attainment of our goals and needs, but to move forward in service to the Creator.
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Paul saw death as gain for a number of reasons. First, it would glorify Jesus. It would also mean that he was immediately in the presence of God. Neither of these are bad for the Christian, for death is a natural step into the Christian’s place in eternity. If we truly operate with an eternal outlook, then we can operate without a fear of death, understanding that it is a new step into the kingdom that we serve.
Paul saw death not as a fearful thing but as a source of conflict: on one hand, he would be with Jesus, which is so much better than life on earth. But on the other hand, he also saw that continuing in his life had a great value to others.
Life Worthy of the Gospel 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God
The conduct Paul talks about is a citizenship in Christ that pours into the human citizenship. Conduct is important for the Christian. Good conduct shows a movement toward purity, a desire to live righteously and show others this valuable trait. It was important for the people of Philippi to conduct themselves in this manner, because word would eventually get to Paul. He would understand their authenticity or lack thereof. They were accountable to Paul in their move toward purity.
But this movement toward purity was as much an individual endeavor as it was a community endeavor. Each person was also working collectively, in unity, helping one another in deep and abiding ways to reach for the understanding of eternity through their own striving for personal purity.
The sharing of the gospel was not meant to stir fear in them. In fact, a maturity that is grown in a believer begins to chip away at the fear of sharing. Adversaries will always be there, but the moment to share the gospel will come to believers in moments of opposition and it is our duty to share it even then.
This is the boldness that God gives us, but it isn’t natural to most of us. It comes after a long line of failures and attempts. But as we grow and become stronger, our boldness becomes a sign of the salvation.
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
This is an exceptional way to look at faith: if we believe in Him, then we will struggle and suffer with Him. it doesn’t seem right, does it? It seems as though if we’ve made the leap to follow, then we should be protected from everything and never experience hardship again.
This, of course, is a selfish way to view our relationship with Christ. For instance, if you have been married, you know the vows: for richer, poorer, in sickness and in health, etc. But when we get married, we don’t think of those things. We only consider the happy times. We don’t necessarily build in the fights, the discontent, the disappointment. We don’t build in the adversity, the bad times, the hard times. But they still come, even in the best relationships.
Jesus said that in this life we will have trouble (John 16:33). He didn’t promise that we would be exempt from it. But we must lean toward Christ in order to understand why we are going through the hard time and what we must learn from it. This is also the concept of suffering. A Christian is from time to time is ostracized, is humiliated, is ridiculed for his/her faith. In that, the Christian must understand that this is a natural part of the relationship, just as a fight may be a natural part of a married couple’s life. Paul is not exempt from this either. His life is a blueprint for the people who study it.
Instead of wishing away the suffering, Paul put it in these terms: it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ. God, through Christ, has allowed it into your life. It is a natural part of the Christian life. It will get better, it is a wound that will scab over, but it will hurt when raw. It is there to teach us about God’s mercy and glory.