Philippians

Philippians 1:1-2

Timothy was with Paul in Rome when this was written.  He had often introduced himself as an apostle in his letters.  In introducing himself and Timothy as bondservants may give us a sense of the letter.  He wasn’t using his authority in defense of attacks.  He instead saw himself as another servant among servants. 

The Greek word he used for bondservants is ‘doulos’.  A doulos, or bondservant was a servant that had made a decision to spend the rest of their life with their master, even when they were free to leave at any time.  So, when Paul identified himself as a bondservant, he was identifying himself as one who chose to be in service to his master.  He may have been imprisoned but he wasn't serving Rome or Caesar.  As a bondservant, he went where the Lord directed him and served in every way it was put before him.

We all serve a master.  Maybe you remember before you were a Christian to a time when you served another master.  We are either in bondage to sin, serving our self and our sinful nature and thereby serving the devil; or, we become a bondslave of Jesus Christ and have power over sin and the presence of God in our life.  When we were born again, we named Jesus as Lord and master of our lives.

Philippians 1:3-8

You can tell from this paragraph alone that this is more of a personal letter to the saints of Philippi than it is a doctrinal letter for all the churches.  When Paul wrote this, it had been 11 years since he started that church.  After he started the church, he passed through a couple more times in subsequent years.  So, it had been several years since he'd seen these people.  Yet, there was a lasting bond with them.  They were in his mind, in his prayers and in his heart.   

Paul’s joy is based on the confidence that God was doing a good work in them and that the very same work would continue until it was brought to completion at the return of Christ.  This work started when the church began.  What was this work?

• Paul may have been referring to their financial support provided to him.  He didn’t automatically take this support; the Philippians were partnering with him to spread the gospel.  We can imagine they may have thought this had all ended when Paul ended up in prison.  But Paul continued to work from prison. 
• Partnering with Paul was a ‘good work’ but the spread of the gospel could happen in other ways that didn’t involve Paul.  The work started spreading the gospel could have continued when others began to evangelize and disciple. 
• The ‘good work’ may have been a more general reference to the God’s grace in their life.  This may be a reference to sanctification, or growing in holiness, righteousness and piety.  This would align with his prayer for them in verse 9-10 (knowledge, discernment, testing and fruit).

We shouldn’t dismiss the possibility that Paul wrapped these three things and possibly more into that statement.  The work God does in our life becomes personal.  In turn, everyone in the fellowship then comes together to exercise and grow as a church.  The individual stones are built into this spiritual house, the church.  What is the personal work God is doing in your life?  How does that fit into the fellowship as you find your place in the church?

Back in my woodworking days, I always had multiple projects going.  There were many unfinished jobs sitting around the shop.  Some were started and never touched again.  We can be sure it’s not like that for God.  If He starts it, He will continue it and He will finish it.   

The Philippians had supported Paul in the spreading of the gospel.  They were now supporting him in his defense against the charges brought against him in spite of the fact this might not be agreeable to Rome. Paul declared that they were partners with him in grace.  And in verse 8 he said, For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. Paul missed them.  He missed seeing them and sharing with them.  The connection of fellowship among these saints was a powerful bond.

Philippians 1:9-11

The Philippians were filled with love but Paul prayed that their love would continue to grow.  This wasn't blind love of anything and everything; that was the kind of thinking that got the Corinthians in trouble.  It’s not unusual to hear a very similar thing today; thoughts of a blind love that is all loving, all-encompassing and all tolerant of anything and everything.  That kind of love is a love without truth to justify sin.  It’s sounds warm and fuzzy, but its hypocrisy if you look closely.  That's not what Paul wanted.  He wanted the love of the Philippians to grow in knowledge and discernment.  This knowledge wasn’t acquired by reading a book.  It’s a reference to experiential knowledge.  It’s the knowledge that comes from walking with Jesus and experiencing life as He would have you live it.  The discernment Paul spoke of is ‘rightly receiving’ that knowledge and knowing how to use it in life. 

This knowledge and discernment were key to their love growing to the next level.  This love would allow them to make wise decisions about what was good and right.  The phrase ‘may approve’ is the test to determine good from evil.  This word ‘approve’ would also be used in the testing silver or gold for authenticity or quality.  Paul wanted the Philippian love to grow by way of knowledge and discernment that would allow each believer to make wise choices, avoiding sin and wickedness.  The result would be evident in their honest and straightforward attitude (sincerity); they would not stumble or cause others to stumble (be without offense); and their lives would bear much fruit to the glory of God. 

There are many examples of those who are sincere but lack knowledge and discernment.  No one would argue against their sincerity.  They are driven to works of love in the sincerest way, but without discernment, they lose our way and their flesh interferes.  Love can become a work of the flesh, feelings and emotions that all can mislead.

There was clearly good work going on in Philippi.  Paul prayed that they would continue in that and grow in the Lord.

Philippians 1:12-14

The saints in Philippi had probably all heard the testimony of the jailer that was among them.  He was the one who locked up Paul & Silas clear back on their first visit there because they cast out the demon from the fortune teller.  This guy saw Paul & Silas beat and then he was the one who locked them up.  At midnight, they were still singing hymns and praising God.  The jailer probably thought they were crazy.  Then he felt the earthquake and he saw to his horror the door of the jail open and the chains were unfastened from all the prisoners.

The jailer's response was a plan to kill himself.  If his prisoners escaped, he was responsible for the remainder of their sentence.  He would be as good as dead.  Paul and Silas saved his life by telling him not to harm himself, all the prisoners were still there.  They saved his life and then the jailer asked how he could be saved. Then God saved his soul.

Every Christian in Philippi had to know that story.  Now, Paul was in prison again, this time in Rome.  Did they think this incarceration was different?  Did they wonder if the power of God and joy in his heart had departed in some way?  After all it was Rome – hardly friends of Christianity.  A Roman prison wasn’t used for punishment, but to hold the accused until trial.  The upcoming trial would determine Paul’s fate. 

Paul answered their concerns, saying everything was fine.  He was right where God wanted him.  Paul was there as an ambassador with a message.  That message was spreading among the palace guard.  And because Paul was bold in his circumstance the saints that were there with him in Rome had become bolder.  They saw that God was working through Paul and that gave them confidence.

Since there was a close relationship between Paul and the people of Philippi, they were sad about him being in chains and worried about him.  Paul assured them that all is well.  God was still on the throne and working His plan through the lives of the saints.  What was happening may appear bad but in reality, good things were coming from it.  It was merely another chapter in his great adventure in the Lord.

Philippians 1:15-18

There were apparently some men in Rome preaching the gospel for the wrong reason.  They were being competitive because they were envious of Paul.  They saw his imprisonment as an opportunity to advance their own ministries.  They were kicking Paul while he was down, or so they thought.  In verse 16 the word for ‘selfish ambition’ would also be used to describe a politician canvassing for support, trying to win votes.  They preached Christ in a way that forced people to pick Paul or them.  Others were preaching out of love.  Paul’s response was to praise God that at least the gospel was being preached.  That may seem like a strange response, but if Paul would have put these guys down, he would have appeared to be competing with them.  Paul was not concerned with their motives; as long as Christ was preached, he would rejoice in that.  God would sort out the motives and take care of all the matters of the heart. 

Philippians 1:19-26

If Paul can sit in chains in Rome and say “I know” then we can ‘know’ right where we are in our life.  Whether in suffering, affliction, pain or poverty:

• We can know the gospel is not impeded in any way. 
• We can know the Holy Spirit is present with us in our circumstances. 
• We can know God perfectly aware of our place and perfectly able to use it for His glory.
• We can know things will turn our for salvation (deliverance), whether in life or death.  

This ‘knowing’ is reflective; as if to step back and see the big picture.  Paul, filled with the Spirit, could see beyond his circumstances and draw this sure conclusion. 

In verse twelve Paul wanted them to know that things were working out okay.  Was this a surprise to them?  Think about Paul’s life up to that point.  He was itinerant in every form or fashion; he had no home.  He had never landed anywhere too long.  Now he was in chains facing the possibility of dying.  To most people, this didn’t seem like things were working out just fine.

Verse nineteen is a kind of revamp of verse twelve; it didn’t just turn out okay, it’s exactly right where God wanted him and he ‘knew’ it would turn out for his deliverance.  It seemed like he was delivered right into Caesar’s court for a bad ending, though.  After all, tradition says that Paul was beheaded by Caesar.  However, Paul wasn’t talking about deliverance from chains or from Caesar, he was teaching them and us about a joy that goes beyond circumstances.  Paul’s confidence wasn’t in Caesar and his hope wasn’t for better circumstances.  He had put himself at the disposal of the Lord; his confidence was in the sure vindication in heaven before the Lord.  His confidence was that he was in God’s perfect will, under His care and that all these things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28).  Paul clarified 'deliverance' in that he would defend the gospel boldly with no shame and Christ would be glorified in him either through his life or his death.  He summed that up as, “to live is Christ and die is gain’; it was God’s choice. 

To live was to continue on in ministry and the spreading of the gospel.  His life was bearing fruit in seeing gentiles respond to the gospel and be transformed by God.  Paul also had a desire to depart.  This desire is a deep longing for that time; that day when we will be past the cares of this world and past the sins of the flesh.  There’s a weariness in Paul.  He is battle weary and worn down, but unwilling to yield the fight until it is done.  He had been at this a long time.  He'd been beaten, whipped, left for dead, ship wrecked, imprisoned and so on.  So, he longed for the day when he closed his weary eyes in this world and opened them anew in the kingdom of God for all eternity.  While it might seem like an easy choice, consider for a second all those who you want to go with you.  While Paul wanted to go home, he could remain for a time and take more folks with him.

Paul drew the conclusion from his circumstances that no matter how things turned out for him in the end, he just wanted to remain faithful in whatever was coming his way.  As he prepared to stand before Caesar, he didn't want to bring shame in any way to the name of Christ or the church.  He knew God wouldn't shame him in his faith.  Staying faithful and keeping his eyes off his circumstances seemed to be key.  And having the love and continued fellowship of the Philippians helped Paul in that way.   With his hope in Christ, there was no failure in his circumstances regardless of the outcome.  Paul experienced the ‘gain’ of going home to the Lord. 

It’s worth noting that Paul believed it was by the prayers of the Philippians and the supply of the Spirit that he was able to remain strong.  This is one of those examples where we see Paul testify of the power of prayer.  What if these people in Philippi hadn't been praying?  Would things be different for Paul?  Paul certainly believed that they would have been.

Prayer is a tool given to us by God to do Godly things.  It's like a lever that enables us to move things we would otherwise have no ability to affect any movement.  This lever is like a force multiplier – similar to a teeter-totter when the small person moves the larger by leverage.  When many small, weak humans come against a large obstacle and we gather with the lever of prayer that God gave us and big things can be moved.  God is pleased by this.  God is pleased when we exercise our prayer muscle.  When we come together in prayer, we focus on God’s will, not our own. 

In this case these people shared the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit moved the Philippians to pray.  That same Holy Spirit built Paul up and lifted his Spirits.  Paul felt the power of their prayers in his life.

These Christians were sharing the great adventure together in fellowship.  And Paul prayed that he would remain strong and bold and that through all that was happening Christ would be magnified.  Whether Paul lived or died he wanted to be sure that Jesus was magnified in his life.  That is to say regardless of any pain, any discomfort, any mark of his reputation, that his life would increase Jesus Christ.

What are you most famous for?  What comes to mind when people think of you and the life you lived?  Would it be your bravery, money, power, patriotism, loyalty, wisdom, education, sense of humor, skill, ability or something else?  Anyone looking at Paul's life would immediately conclude what he was known for; his life magnified Christ.  Paul's life was a like a magnifying glass pointed at the Lord.  And in that, Paul wouldn't even be considered famous nor would he be on anyone’s ‘most famous’ list.  He wanted the Lord to be famous among men.

• To die was to stand before the One he had chased after since he was knocked to the ground on the road to Damascus. 
• To die was to be a victor and given the crown of life, having persevered to the end. 
• To die was to enter into his Sabbath rest; that was clearly far better. 

The phrase 'desire to depart' in verse 23 was the term the captain of a ship, with a deep longing to set sail, might use.  A soldier might use the same phrase about taking down his tent and moving on.  If you used the term to describe thirst, you would say he panted for a drink.  Paul had a desire to die, yet not to escape the world or the problems in it, but to be with Christ and the saints who went before him; to go back to that place he had visited early on, but this time to stay.  He was already a citizen of heaven.  He was just torn between going home and continuing his ambassadorship in this world.

In the end though, Paul supposed that he would be spared and that God would continue to use him in life.  Paul saw his life as being useful to the other saints that while he was alive, they were in prayer and rejoicing and longing for Him to come again to see them.  They were built up in faith and good works in the Lord by remaining in fellowship with him through his ministry.

Paul believed that all things would work for the good of God.  The end would come in God's time.  Either by life or death, Christ would be exalted.  To live is Christ, to die is gain.  Whatever we do, where ever our path leads us, we should take God with us and do all for the glory of God.  

Philippians 1:27-28

It seems ironic that Paul, a man in chains in a Roman prison and about to stand trial, advises others to live life within the prescribed boundaries.  His point was that their conduct should be consistent with folks who were born again in Jesus; folks who believed the gospel.  There’s a conduct consistent with those who are citizens of heaven.  This conduct isn’t contingent on a visit from Paul or anyone else overseeing them.  Nor does their conduct change with the circumstances of life or the setting.  The manner of life of the Christian life points to a reality beyond this life; especially in difficult circumstances or suffering; it testifies to the ability of the gospel to deliver you from a citizen of the earth to citizenship of heaven.

There is, likewise, a walk that is inconsistent and unworthy of the gospel.  It is a walk, conduct and manner of life that speaks to the here and now.  It is putting our eyes our self instead of others – it is ever-changing with circumstances and settings.  When someone professing to be a Christian walks in this manner, it is confusing to others.  The profession of faith implies a certain walk.  The inconsistency then says the profession is wrong or the walk is wrong.  Either way, the gospel ends up attached to something that’s broke and leaves believers and unbelievers alike shaking their head. 

Paul is calling them to accountability; not to him but to Jesus and the gospel.  He encouraged them to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.  All the way through scripture in many different ways we are continually encouraged to stand fast and walk worthily.  Standing fast is a tall order in this crazy world. 

As a church, as fellow citizens of heaven, we should share in this goal, encourage one another and support each other in doing so.  This is just another subtle call for unity in the church.  The community life of the church should be characterized by unity of mind and love.

To stand, we stand fast we must stand together; to stand together we have to be single minded, having the mind of Christ.  A fellowship that isn’t single minded and striving for faith in the gospel won’t be a fellowship very long.  So how does one go about bringing someone back on track?  Paul did this by appealing to their human and divine relationships.

It took effort by the individuals to take a stand in the unity of fellowship.  This unity as a body striving together with the mind of Christ was a testimony to the world.  In the dark world we live in, we will begin to stand out in a crowd all the more.  By standing out, we become that magnifying glass.  In standing in unity, we magnify the Lord. 

This courageous stance in the face of adversity and suffering becomes proof of perdition to the adversaries.  Perdition is destruction – referring to the outcome of judgment.  Striving together for the gospel, without terror, tells the adversary of your faith that they will be judged in the end.  The word ‘terrified’ in verse 28 says is a picture word.  It’s a stampede coming from the terror of a startled horse.  To the Christian, it's running to hide at the first sign of trouble and abandoning your faith.  In doing so, you have supplied proof of the victory of your adversary over your life rather than proof of Christ’s victory of death and your belief in that victory.

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

(NKJV; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

The only weapon your enemy has is fear and intimidation.  Your weapon against him is a consistent life lived steadfast and immovable.  Our response is to be that of a citizen of heaven, one saved by grace that has been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.  And there is strength in our unity, in standing together helping each other to respond in that way.  That is the power of fellowship.  We are individuals joined together under Christ and engaged in a single adventure.  Your adversary may scare you from time to time but he won't scare the entire fellowship.  You hold others up in their time of terror; they will in turn hold you up when you are overwhelmed.  What can our adversary do to us?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  We have no fear of death because to die is Christ. 

Philippians 1:29-30

Sharing in fellowship isn't always about having cafe' grace or visiting and drinking coffee together.  If we are sharing in the adventure together, we should share the entire adventure together.  It has been granted us to not just to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake.  The adventure you're on isn't all downhill in the sunshine.

It has been ‘granted’ to us.  This is a gracious gift, given for the benefit of the recipient.  This seems like one of those gifts we don’t want; but it’s from Christ and linked to the grace of salvation. Suffering in Christ is a grace given to us.  This struggle that is granted is of the same in which Paul struggled.  It is the struggle for the gospel; it is labor, toil and perseverance to teach, advance, spread, grow, strengthen and encourage others for the faith. 

They saw this in Paul when he was at Philippi and the hear of it now in the news that he is in chains and going before Caesar to defend the gospel.  From this comes wisdom – the gray hair of a wise saint that has gone through some stuff.  We all know someone like that.  It was that stable person of great faith that never seemed to be shaken.  We are to grow and become that person for the next generation.  We are to come to that place where someone might look to us as the stable, wise and faithful.  Someone is suffering and looking for your encouragement. 

© 2017, 2023 Doug Ford