Philippians 1:1,2

01 - ‘To all the Saints in Christ Jesus’

 

(1) Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,

to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

(2) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(NASB)

 

This letter to the believers in the city of Philippi, which was a Roman colony, begins with a warm greeting. As you can see it opens with the names of the people that it was written by - Paul and Timothy. This is not the only letter from the apostle Paul that also has in its heading the name of Timothy his fellow worker in Christ. Actually Timothy’s name is also beside Paul’s in 2nd Corinthians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians and also Philemon. Here we can see the humble character of Paul for even if the letter is from his own heart and mind he includes Timothy and places him at his right hand. Should this not encourage all believers to look unto others with the same attitude as Paul did?

 

In the first verse we see the official title Paul refers to himself with. Many believe that Paul was the “greatest of all apostles” in writing and in deeds and they may be right. For no other apostle has worked so hard as a missionary as Paul did and no other apostle wrote as many of the New Testament epistles as Paul (twelve were written by Paul, four by John, two by Peter, one by James, one by Jude and an unknown writer for Hebrews). Paul was the most prolific writer in the entire New Testament! His great knowledge and insight was well-known by all, including the apostle Peter who wrote that some of his writings were difficult to understand (2nd Peter 3:15, 16).

 

In verse one, Paul introduces himself and Timothy as:

 

(1)…Bond-servants of Christ Jesus

 

He was not the great theologian, apostle, missionary, miracle worker, teacher and model for all the Disciples of Christ to follow – NO! He simply saw himself as a bondservant. He was a slave of Jesus. You see Paul understood very well what had happened at the cross and what Christ had done for him. He wrote the following to the believers in Corinth:

 

1 Corinthians 6:19,20

(19)Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own;

(20) you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

(RSV)

 

Paul had been bought at the cross and he no longer belonged to himself. Slavery was very common in Paul’s day. In fact there were more slaves in the Roman Empire than freemen! Even in the old Greek Empire slaves were more numerous than citizens were. It is very difficult for us to understand what it meant to be a slave – you did not belong to yourself. It meant that someone had total authority over you and your very life belonged to your owner. He told you where to go, when to work, what to do. All that you possessed was actually his – even your wife and children. The owner would determine EVERYTHING that concerned your life – because you were his. This is what Paul saw himself as, a simple bondservant. He was telling the Christians at Philippi that Christ was the absolute owner and ruler of his life; that Jesus was the only commander and the only one who had authority over him. Please notice that he included Timothy as also being a bondservant. What Paul saw himself as he passed on to his fellow worker Timothy. He taught Timothy what he knew to be true for himself. We are but servants unto the Lord Jesus for he has bought us by a great price – his blood at Mount Calvary.

 

I wonder if we have the same vision of ourselves as Paul did. Do we actually see ourselves as not being the authority in our life? Who tells us what we should be doing, where we should be living, or how we should be spending the monies we have? Who has the final say in our everyday life? Who sets the rules for our conduct wherever we may be? For Paul it was Jesus and for you and I it should also be Jesus.

 

Verse one also states who the letter was written for:

 

(1)…To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

 

I would like you to notice that the letter was written to three types of people found in the local church: all the saints, the bishops and the deacons. Now all of these people could have been summed up as: “To all the saints in Philippi,” but there are a few things I would like you to notice:

 

First of all the believers in Christ at Philippi are called saints. This word in Greek (HAGIOS) basically means to be holy, pure, sacred or morally blameless. This was the description of the believers of Christ that lived in Philippi.

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We all know that we are sinners and that we fail constantly before the Lord. We also know that in ourselves we do not have any holiness, purity, sacredness and that certainly we are not morally blameless. So why does Paul consider and call the Philippians saints? Simply because that is what they had become because of their faith in Christ as we see in Eph. 1:3,4:

 

Ephesians 1:3,4

(3)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

(4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

(RSV)

 

Holy and without blame are all those who have been born-again. Saints are not people of old that have lived wonderful Christian lives that stand out far above the others. Saints are not the superheroes of the faith and they are certainly not to be venerated or prayed to. Saints are every single man, woman and child that has received salvation through and only through the person of Jesus Christ the beloved Son of God. Should we not rejoice that because of our calling we have become saints in the household of the Lord God!

 

The second and third group of people are the bishops and deacons. Now a bishop (EPISKOPOS) means an overseer. It typically is the same person as an elder (PRESBUTEROS). This would be men who have the spiritual qualities and spiritual gifts to lead and be accountable for a local group of believers that gathered together. These men were the authority in the church, the spiritual leaders and teachers (Christ always being the absolute Head of the churches Col. 1:15-18). The other group of people is called the deacons. These men and women were the servants within the church. The word deacon (DIAKONOS) simply means – a servant. Probably people who had different ministries and helped out in various forms and fashion. Still today we have these two groups of people in our churches.

 

In other words this letter written to the Philippians was for EVERYBODY in the church. Its content is for everybody, its warnings are for everybody, and its admonitions are for everybody. So when you read this epistle take at face value that it is written for you as a believer in Christ. The worth and authority of this letter has not expired. All that is written in it is for YOUR benefit, encouragement and discipline. May our good Lord bless you by the reading and studying of the Letter of Paul to the Philippians!

 

In verse two we see the heart of Paul for his brothers and sisters:

 

(2)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Grace is the unmerited favor that God bestows upon people. Jesus said the following:

 

Matthew 5:45

so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

(RSV)

 

Grace is never merited, for it is no longer grace if it is something that is due to us because we have laboured for it (Rom. 4:4). What Paul desires for the Philippians is that the unmerited favour of God be showered upon them, freely given by God and freely received by the believers. Too many believers are under so many burdens because they do not understand or accept that God freely bestows upon them his blessings. Instead of rejoicing and living a life of thankfulness they crumble under having to “buy” or be “good enough” to receive from the Lord. Friend, we will never be “good enough”. In fact realizing we’ll never be “good enough” is essential in receiving from God! Listen to what Jesus said:

 

Luke 5:32

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

(RSV)

 

It is also written:

 

Romans 3:10-12

(10) as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;

(11) no one understands, no one seeks for God.

(12)All have turned aside, together they have gone wrong; no one does good, not even one."

(RSV)

 

Grace is what we desperately need because NO ONE is righteous, NO ONE understands, NO ONE seeks God, ALL have turned aside, ALL have become unprofitable and NO ONE does good. So believe God, you will never be good enough – never! That’s why Christ came and took away our shame and sins at the cross because we could not and never will be able to! Accepting God’s grace is so marvellous so don’t let his grace pass by – receive it.

 

The second desire from Paul is for all to have the peace that can only come from the Lord himself. Once you have tasted it – there is nothing in the world that can even scratch its surface. God’s peace is so different from the peace that the world offers.

 

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

(RSV)

 

“My peace” that’s what every Christian needs, the peace of Christ well established in his heart. A peace that will face every valley and mountain we are called to face. A peace that says “It’s all right – just carry on”.

 

We see that grace and peace are given by the Father and the Son in verse two. Paul wants the believers to understand that both Father and Son are presently working in them to bring about this grace and peace. What we are to do is not to block the coming of grace and peace because of OUR turning away. We are to maintain a pure heart that will be able to receive and enjoy the grace and peace that the Lord has in store for his children. We should search our hearts to be certain that all the doors of our hearts are open and that sin does not shut them. This is how David said it:

 

Psalms 139:23,24

(23)Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

(24)And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

(RSV)

 

Yes may the grace and peace of the Father and the Son truly be upon you. May you open pure hearts unto the Lord to receive all the blessings he has stored up for you. But suppose you have not kept your heart open and suppose your life could have reflected Jesus in a much better way and your thoughts have not been set on the Kingdom of God. Is it too late for you to come back? Will the Lord forgive you and receive you with arms wide open? You may have been secretly living in the flesh and no one has a clue to what you look like on the inside. You know that God has been knocking at the door of your heart for quite a while but you haven’t opened it yet. Your heart is troubled and a new desire has been growing in you – and you want to come back.

 

If this is the case I am happy to tell you that if you repent with a sincere heart. If you openly confess the way you have lived because of abandoning the “narrow road”. Then the Father will gladly open his door so you can come back home. I’m basing myself on what is written in the Scriptures:

 

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(RSV)

 

God is faithful and just and he will forgive our sins. That’s his promise and God does not lie. So just come to him with a childlike heart and ask forgiveness and tell him that you now want to glorify his name in your life. If you need help to walk in the light (and we all do) the Holy Spirit will guide you and also strengthen you to be able to live a life that is worthy of your calling.

 

So don’t hesitate, today can be the beginning of your closer walk with the Lord.

 

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Philippians 1:3-7

02 - ‘Being thankful’

 

(3)I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

(4) always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

(5) for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

(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;

(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.

(NASB)

 

Once the introduction of Paul’s letter is done he now turns to what I call “being thankful”. In other words Paul is very happy and deeply grateful that there is a very close relationship between the brothers and sisters at Philippi and himself. I believe that this heartfelt connection that was in Paul should be alive in every child of God in relationship with every other Christians that they know. This is a very important lesson that we all need to learn – to care for each other. So let’s look at what this thankfulness encompasses.

 

(3)I thank my God upon every remembrance of you

 

The first thing that I see that thankfulness does to a regenerated heart is that it turns it towards the one who has made this all possible – God. Paul first of all turns to God with thankfulness. I am certain that Paul could have thanked many that were in the church at Philippi since he himself had established that church (Acts 16:11-40). But instead of doing that he knows that none of this would have been possible if the hand of God would not have been upon him – so he first of all thanks God. This very basic and simple thing can be often forgotten. We can easily forget the true source of our blessed relationships and give credit to a person or even ourselves! Far be it from our thoughts to forget that – God should be honoured and thanked first and always and in all things. That is why Paul could write.

 

Ephesians 1:15,16

(15)For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,

(16)I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

(RSV)

 

Paul also basically gave thanks to God for the brothers and sisters in Col. 1:3, 1 Thess. 1:2 and 2 Thess. 2:13. As we can see to be thankful was well ingrained in Paul’s heart towards the Father for all the other true believers that he knew. Have we been thankful for the Christians that we know or have we rather been irritated towards them? Which do you think ought to be done before the Lord? Which of the two pleases our heavenly Father? Now Paul states “upon every memory of you”. It gives me the idea that he didn’t miss a single opportunity to be thankful unto God. It also means that Paul didn’t remember these Philippians once in a while. I believe that they were on his heart and in his prayers (as we will see). So keep your Christian brothers and sisters close to your mind and soul. Be thankful that you have them. Do they sometimes irritate you – be thankful. Are they asking for help repeatedly – be thankful. Yes thank the Lord for your best friends in the church and also for those who never seem to grow up!

 

A second thing that thankfulness does is the following:

 

(4) always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

 

Thankfulness will cause you to pray for your fellow Christians. Remembering the Philippians does not only touch the mind (he remembers them) but it also touches the heart (he prays for them). I like the word always. His prayers are not sporadic, irregular or infrequent, Paul always prays for them. As if this is not enough it is also written “in every prayer”! It’s as though Paul doesn’t miss an opportunity to pray for the beloved Philippians. How often we can even forget to pray and be thankful unto God for the people we know! Now his prayers were not only prayers of thankfulness they were also prayers of requests for them. To be able to request things for people you really need to know their needs. This manifests that Paul not only knew the Philippians but also was able to “keep in touch” with what was happening with them. Let’s not forget that Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter. I know that if I were in prison I would have had so many other things on my mind that I probably would have forgotten the problem the other Christians were having. My eyes would have been fixed on myself and my distress. But not so with Paul! He made requests in his prayers for the Philippians every time he prayed. Are we able to bring specific requests before the Lord for everyone in our church? Do we know them well enough? Do they trust us and open up in conversations we have with them? How can we minister unto them if we don’t really know them? It seems that Paul knew them very well.

 

A third aspect of thankfulness is found in the word all. Paul prayed for ALL that were at Philippi! Our human nature often prefers to gather together in little circles of friends. In these circles of friends we manifest care, understanding, benevolence, love and so forth.

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For those that are outside of these circles of friends there is little that is manifested unto them. We don’t actually despise them, we don’t wish them any harm but we keep them at a certain distance. And when we pray they naturally don’t “pop up” in our minds. Often we don’t make a big thing out of it and we just say that: “that’s the way it is.” Maybe in the world but not in God’s house. As a Christian I should (as Paul did) be able, to not only offer general prayers, but very specific prayers concerning my brothers and sisters in the church.

 

A fourth aspect of a thankful heart is shown at the very end of this verse by the words “all with joy”. These few words manifest the attitude of Paul’s heart in his thankfulness unto God. Paul prays and asks requests for all types of things needed in the lives of the Christians in Philippi. Now does this seem to be a burden or a heavy load for him? Can you imagine Paul saying: “Oh no! I’ve got to pray for those Philippians again. I’m so tired of thinking about them. I wish I could forget them!” Of course not – it was a joy for him to pray for them! I must say that Paul is quite an extraordinary man. Most of the Christians I know even have a difficult time to open up at prayer meetings! Prayer seems to be a lost “art” and I would say a lost “joy”. If praying for my Christian friends would really be a joyful thing to do wouldn’t I be praying much more often for them?

 

(5) for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

 

Paul remembers in his prayers for the Philippians the “fellowship” that they had. As we grow older the fonder we become of past memories. What remained in Paul’s heart was the time that he passed with the Philippians. Being in prison he had very little time for anything else than to meditate on his past. We could say that Paul was pleased with what he remembered of the people he once knew. Notice that the memories of fellowship were anchored on the “gospel” – the Good News. True spiritual fellowship has nothing to do with our trips to the bowling alley, coffee shops, restaurants after Sunday services and other outings. True spiritual fellowship, as I said, is anchored on the gospel. True fellowship is centered on the person of Jesus Christ. How sweet were those memories of the gatherings for singing praises, listening to testimonies of salvation, the breaking of the bread, praying for each other and being mutually edified by exhortations. I fear that the modern church knows less and less what true fellowship is all about and because of this our soul dries up and we become spiritually weak.

 

When Paul writes “from the first day until now” this teaches me that it didn’t take months and months before Paul was at ease and was actively part of the church in Philippi. I know that he is the founder and it could not be any other way because of this but the principle remains the same. “From the first day”, Paul was active, lively and vigorous in the church right from the beginning.

​

What a beautiful state of mind. He met people and right away he was in their lives. It’s not always easy to mix in with a group. But it can be done, as Paul did in Philippi. How much time is simply lost because we stand on the fringe of church gatherings? We don’t participate, partake or contribute. We walk in very softly and leave quietly. I’ve known people who have been going to their church for years and don’t even know the name of it! Don’t wait any longer, don’t be a marginal Christian. We can all have an impact if only we get involved.

 

(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.

 

This brings us to a very well-known verse. A verse that we hear on and off and in all kinds of situations. This section speaks about Paul being thankful for the brothers and sisters he has in Philippi but it also speaks of another subject – confidence. I’m certain that Paul had confidence in praying. I know this simply because Paul prayed quite often and also for a very large number of people. In verse six we see that Paul’s confidence extended all the way to the “day of Jesus Christ”.

 

Paul speaks of the unlimited confidence that he has in God. His faith is unshakable for what the Lord has promised he will bring forth.

 

Numbers 23:19

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?

(RSV)

 

Yes God will make it good even unto the Philippians. It is the same God that has also given you salvation and all the promises that this includes. There is no reason for God’s children not to stand on the promises of God. We can have confidence in God for every aspect of our lives. He is not only our Master (we have been bought at a great price) but he is also our Father (we have been adopted – Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5).

 

Paul was confident that God would not abandon the Philippians!

 

(6) that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

 

It is God that has begun a good work in us! What sweet words to the soul! Like morning dew this phrase nourishes and fortifies. Many believe that THEY have begun a good work in themselves by “accepting” Christ as their Saviour.

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This is far from the truth. It is the Lord God that actually does everything concerning our salvation. The following is a list of what he has begun to do in the believer and it all originated even before time existed!

• God chooses the ones who will be holy and blameless (Eph. 1:4).

• God chooses people unto salvation (2 Thess. 2:13-14).

• His calling is according to His purpose (2 Tim. 1:9).

• He predestines His chosen unto salvation (Rom. 8:29-30).

• He also predestines us to adoption (Eph. 1:5).

• He appoints some people to believe (Acts 13:48).

• He draws people to Himself (John 6:44,65).

• He works faith in sinners to be able to believe (John 6:28-29).

• He grants repentance (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

• He makes us to be born again not by our will but by His will (John 1:12-13).

 

Having done all of that and so much more, Paul is absolutely certain that what God has begun he will also bring to completion. We may sometime have projects that we abandon after a short while but the Lord God ALWAYS does what he says he will do. We know that believers have been sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). We also know the following:

 

2 Corinthians 1:20-22

(20)For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God.

(21)But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us;

(22) he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

(RSV)

 

God has given the believer the Holy Spirit as a seal that guarantees all of his promises. So Paul was right to believe that God will bring the believer safe and sound unto the day of Jesus Christ. So have no worries, God has not finished with you yet and he will not leave you or abandon you until you are transformed into the image of his beloved Son (1 Cor. 13:11,12; 2 Cor. 3:18). Now if God won’t let go or abandon the Christians around me it surely must imply that I also love them and keep myself attached to them.

 

(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.

 

Paul says that it is a right (just) (DIKAIOS) thing for him to think this way (that God will bring them to completion). But the word I want to stress is all (of you all). Sometimes we wonder what in the world will God do with such or such a person. They fail all the time, they sin over and over, and they can’t seem to walk straight or in the light. They are an awful reflection of Jesus Christ. You try to help and it just doesn’t work – it seems to be wasted time! Here Paul says – of you all. Every single child of God will be kept and made into the image of the Son. That is the plan of the Father for all of his adopted children no matter who they are.

 

Romans 8:29,30

(29)For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.

(30)And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

(RSV)

 

Paul brings this section to an end by speaking of both love and grace. It almost sounds like a love letter (because I have you in my heart) and it actually is. I wonder if I have this deep love for the brethren like Paul did. I wonder if I have patience with them like he did. I wonder if I see them as the good Lord does. He held the Philippians close to his heart and told them of his love for them. Maybe I ought to do the same with the people of my church – tell them that they are dear and precious and that they hold a special place in my heart. Imagine if everyone did what Paul just wrote! Wouldn’t it be the greatest church to be involved in? – Absolutely!

 

Paul expresses his love for the Philippians in the worst possible of life’s conditions:

 

(7) Inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

 

For most of us loving, cherishing, caring and treasuring others is easy when things go well in life, but not so with Paul. He loves the Philippians even when he is chained up in prison waiting for his trial and having to defend himself for his dear life! Now that takes a spiritual person to do that wouldn’t you say! Instead of complaining about his terrible life – Paul writes love letters to his beloved spiritual children. When are Christians going to stop complaining and start loving as we should?

 

(7) you all are partakers with me of grace.

 

Grace is a very mysterious thing and needs to be well understood. Paul writes that both the Philippians and he are under the same grace. But how could this be? They are free and he is imprisoned. They have a life ahead, he has death in sight. He is shackled they go about as they please. It seems that they are at the opposites of the life spectrum – and they are. But in both cases they are covered by the grace of God! We often forget (as Paul will remind the Philippians later on) that suffering is also a grace!

 

Philippians 1:29

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

 

James wrote it this way:

 

James 1:2-4

(2)Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials,

(3) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

(4)And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

(RSV)

 

And Peter added to this thought about receiving the grace to suffer:

 

1 Peter 1:6,7

(6) In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials,

(7) so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

(RSV)

 

So the grace of God is the very life of the believer in ALL circumstances. And the grace of the Lord is not lacking simply because of different trials that believers are called to participate in or live out. So one should be satisfied with what life presents him knowing that it is God’s grace that suffices (2 Cor. 12:9).

 

I really like the attitude that the three friends of Daniel had when they faced death by being burned alive in the furnace. Do you remember what they said?

 

 

Daniel 3:16-18

(16)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

(17)If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

(18)But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."

(RSV)

 

As with Paul, the circumstances of their lives were very dim. If they did not bow to the gods of Nebuchadnezzar they would be killed right there and then. They knew that God was able to deliver them – if he wanted to. But they were readily accepting the fact that either of the two might happen. They understood that the hand of God was upon them one way or the other. In their hearts the grace of God was not only there if they were delivered from the furnace. It was there because he was the true God – the God of Israel.

 

So don’t believe the lie that says “If you’re not blessed by health, wealth and a great life – the grace of God is not upon you”. Tell that to all the martyrs found in Hebrews chapter 11!

 

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Philippians 1:8-11

03 - ‘God is my witness’

 

(8)For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

(9)And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

(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.

(NASB)

 

Have you ever been a witness in a court case? If you have then you know the feeling that you have when you stand in the witness box. There’s a lot of pressure because you are under oath and you never know what questions are going to be asked. You know that you can’t lie and if you do and get caught then you’re in real big trouble because you can end up behind bars.

 

(8)For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

 

When I was a young man I had the opportunity to work in a courthouse for several years and I have seen countless people being called as a witness either for the prosecutor or the defense. Often court cases are determined by the quality of the witnesses. You have a strong case if you have strong witnesses. Here we see the apostle Paul calling “to the stand” his witness – God himself! His witness is the ultimate source of authority. Why would Paul call upon God? Simply to prove to the Philippians the truth of what he is about to write.

 

It’s as though Paul wants the Philippians to know this one thing about him. This one thing that’s above everything else and that’s the love that he has for them. He “longs” (EPIPOTHEO) after them, this means that he has a great desire for them. He is jailed and in chains because of the gospel. And like anyone else in his situation he only has his memories to linger on and to support him. Whether they are of his relation with the Lord or of the brothers or sisters. So he remembers the good times he had when he was at Philippi and the wonderful people he met there. How he wishes he could go back to those delightful days.

 

 

To help the Philippians understand how strong his desire is for them he brings a comparison. We sometimes read of a man who deeply loves a woman and to prove his love for her he says: “Ask of me anything – even the moon – and I will give it to you!” Here Paul compares his love for them to the love of Jesus Christ for his beloved church!

 

(8) …with the affection of Jesus Christ.

 

What Paul is saying is that his affection and his desire for them is of the highest degree. I personally know that I could never say such a thing unto anyone – I love you just as much as Christ loves you. Remember he has called upon God as his witness – a witness that is true. He’s saying the following “God knows my heart and he can tell that this is true, I am not lying.” But what did Paul mean when he said that he longs after them with the affection of Jesus Christ? To answer this question we simply need to look at how Christ loved his disciples. What Christ divinely did for his followers – Paul humanly did for his beloved Philippians. Again I must say that this is far above how I have ever been able to love another person. Have you truly loved this way? Is your love for others like Christ’s is for you? Are you able to call God as your witness to attest to the love you have for others!

 

(9)And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.

 

What I would like for us to notice is the affection that Paul has manifested in real life. It’s one thing to say “I really hold you dear” or “I long for you every day”. But it’s quite another to make it apparent in our daily life. So how did Paul show that he deeply cared for his friends? One of the ways was through prayers. This is the second time that Paul speaks about his praying for them (v.4 & v.9). In verse four he doesn’t say what he prayed for but he does in verse nine. As Paul speaks of his longing and love for the Philippians he now prays that they in turn will love each other. This is what Paul had to say about what their love should be like.

 

First their love should ABOUND. This word (PERISSEUO) means to super abound or be in excess. Paul doesn’t want their love to be a small love, a shy love or a once in a while love! He prays that their love will be excessive or overflowing if you wish. Not a stream of love but an ocean full of love. He desires that a massive amount of love be in the hearts of the Philippian believers. But his prayers for them continue. He doesn’t want the Philippians to believe that their love has reached a certain level of comfort. As if they could say: “Well my love for others has gotten pretty good I can now rest and be happy with the way I love”.

 

This brings us to the second aspect of their love – it should ABOUND MORE AND MORE! No one should be at ease with the way he loves others. Let’s not forget what the two great commandments are:

 

Matthew 22:36-40

(36)"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"

(37)And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

(38)This is the great and first commandment.

(39)And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

(40)On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."

(RSV)

 

Loving God first and loving others second wraps up the Law and the Prophets. So is my measure of love for God sufficient? What about those around me? Is my love for them adequate? Is it possible for me to express my love for God in a better or more tangible way? Are there things that I do that I know hinders me from loving as I should? Am I in the way of loving others? Does my love for myself precede the love I should have for God and others? What Paul is saying is: “Philippians, your love should be continuously growing; it should not be stagnant”.

 

The last aspect of love opens up to five imperative points concerning the fabric of our love. We have so far seen that our love should:

1. Abound

2. Increase

 

In verses ten and eleven Paul introduces five other points, let’s look at them:

 

(10) that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.

 

Third, our love should approve the things that are excellent. The word “approve” (DOKIMAZO) means to test or examine, therefore to discern. Our love is called to test what should be the object or person of our affection. We are so easily fooled into automatically loving a person or a ministry or a group of people simply because of a little information given to us about them. Paul says that we are to put to test even the things that are or seem to be excellent.

 

Testing is something that we ought and are taught to do. It is vital for our spiritual health. In 2 Cor. 2:9 Paul tests the Corinthians. In 2 Cor. 13:5 we are told to test ourselves. In 1 Thess. 5:21 we are told to test all things. So again we see that Paul stresses the fact that it is important even in loving people or things to really examine what we are doing. Remember what the apostle John commanded in 1 John 4:1, we are told to even test the spirits. In other words please don’t take for granted that everyone who says he is a Christian is either a true Christian or a well-meaning person – test before you love!

 

Fourth, the fourth aspect of our love should be that:

 

(10) …you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.

 

Our love absolutely needs to be “sincere” (HEILIKRINES). This word means to be tested as genuine or pure if you prefer. Often the love manifested is not profound. It’s more of a: I love you because you love me or I love you until it bothers me. God’s love for the redeemed has been tested as genuine, Romans 5:8,9 reminds us of this:

 

Romans 5:8,9

(8)But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

(9)Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

(RSV)

 

Sometimes love is not pure in the sense that there are other motives, hidden motives that are concealed behind why we love. One can love to get something out of a certain relationship. One can also love to exploit one’s greed or to be flattered by others who see our “love”. This love does not pass the test as being genuine.

 

The fifth aspect is that real love is without “offense”. This Greek word (APROSKOPOS) means to be inoffensive, not to lead to sin. Loving is difficult, it leads to self-abasement or denial of oneself. Love needs to be selfless if it is not, it is then narcissism (the love of self). Here we are told that even when we love we can be an offense to some and lead them to sin. So we need to be very careful. Do you remember what is written?

 

Romans 14:14-16

(14)I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.

(15)If your brother is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died.

(16)So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. (RSV)

Romans 14:21

It is right not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother stumble.

(RSV)

 

Real love is not an offending love (unless it deals with a biblical truth issue). So let’s not offend someone even if it’s under the cover of love.

 

(11) being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

 

The sixth facet of Christian love is that it is filled with the fruits of righteousness. Paul exhorts the Philippians to have fruitful love not a destructive, negative or damaging type of love (which is no love at all). This talks about the way that disciples ought to walk in general. As children of God we are told to walk in a certain way - a way that is different than those who do not know the Lord.

 

We should not:

• Walk in darkness (John 8:12)

• Walk according to the flesh (Rom. 8:1)

• Walk as gentiles (Eph. 4:17)

• Walk as fools (Eph. 5:15)

 

We should:

• Walk in the steps of the faith (Rom. 4:12)

• Walk properly (Rom. 13:13)

• Walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7)

• Walk in the same spirit (2 Cor. 12:18)

• Walk worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1)

• Walk in love (Eph. 5:2)

• Walk worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:10)

• Walk in Christ (Col. 2:6)

• Walk to please God (1 Thess. 4:1)

• Walk in the light (1 John 1:7)

• Walk in truth (3 John 1:4)

 

If I understand that loving in righteousness is having a life that exemplifies all that is written above, I should take time to examine myself to see if these are the fruits that I bear in life. Now please notice that Paul writes:

 

(11) …which are by Jesus Christ

 

This type of love, this desire to love, this capacity of loving God and others is totally impossible for those who are not regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Man may try but will only be able to mimic the perfect love that is found only in Jesus Christ. In other words when you try to love by your own flesh you are condemned to fail because the flesh will not accept to be pushed away for too long.

 

Remember what Paul says about the type of fruit that the flesh produces:

 

Romans 7:5

While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.

(RSV)

 

The fruits of the flesh (even in a loving human context) bear the fruit of death. But for the child of God the fruit that his love bears is the fruit of righteousness (v.11).

 

For our seventh and last facet of Christian love we find the following:

 

(11) …to the glory and praise of God.

 

The fruit of true Christian love are found in the fact that it is aimed at the glory and praise of God. In other words it is the Lord God who will receive all glory and praise. He and only he is up front as John the Baptist describes so well:

 

John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

(RSV)

 

Is that how you feel about yourself? That you must decrease to allow people to see Jesus living in you? Does your heart give glory to God when His love in you does good around? Do you feel frustrated when you are forgotten and only God is spoken of?

 

May we, like Paul, be able to call God to witness that we truly love and care for all our brothers and sisters!

 

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Philippians 1:12-18

04 - ‘I want you to know’

 

(12)But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

(13)so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

(14)and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

(15)Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will:

(16)The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

(17)but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

(18)What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

(NASB)

 

It seems that one of the most important words in the modern Christian vocabulary is the word “why”. How many times have we heard people ask this question over and over again – why? We wonder why God would ever allow this to happen to us or a loved one. It gives the idea that God has some “explaining to do”, that in some way he was not allowed or should have asked at least our advice or permission before acting! This reminds me of what the Lord said to Israel:

 

Jeremiah 18:6

O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? Says the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

(RSV)

 

And also what Paul wrote in Romans:

 

Romans 9:20,21

(20)But who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me thus?"

(21)Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use?

(RSV)

 

But not so with Paul. He was living difficult times but never had he ever thought to blame God or to question him. He was imprisoned, his freedom had been taken away. He was chained and life was limited to a few square meters. He was at the “mercy” of the Roman guards and their every whim. He could have thought – why Lord – why? He had served the Lord for so many years and honoured him everywhere he had been. He had suffered so much physical pain, his body had become a tapestry of his Christian life and one could see how he had agonized because of his faith. Rather than asking “why”, this is what Paul wrote:

 

(12)But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

 

He wanted the Philippians to know, to understand, to comprehend that what he was now living was not a wretched thing. It may also be the case that different things were being said about the state of Paul. We all know how news can turn out to become gossip and the truth is twisted. So what did Paul want the brethren to be certain of – let’s take a look.

 

(12) …that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.

 

The things which happened to Paul were his imprisonment and everything that led up to it. Would you say that something like this would be a pleasant experience? Something that all would enjoy and even welcome? Of course not! What about his future, was it bright and encouraging? Was Paul certain that “it was just a mistake” and that he would be set free with a pat on the back and a “sorry about that”? Again, of course not! But in all this turbulent deadly whirlwind of events Paul has a different view of things.

 

He writes that these things have actually turned out “for the furtherance of the gospel”. I might be blind but I don’t see any “why me” or “poor me” in this phrase. What I see that Paul has totally set himself aside, not that he doesn’t know that he exists but he knows that something greater is blossoming because of his imprisonment. Paul is seeing his present situation with spiritual insight. He might have remembered what Christ had said:

 

Matthew 22:37

And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

(RSV)

 

Loving the Lord with all of our being means that we place him above all else, which would include imprisonment for Paul. If the Lord wanted Paul to be in prison – so be it! He knew that he could trust the Lord in all things – even the possibility of martyrdom! It can happen that what seems to be dreadful is actually a blessing in disguise. Think of Joseph who was sold into slavery, then landed up in prison. He became Pharaoh’s right hand and was able to save his entire family from starvation. Think of Hannah who was unable to have children and was mercilessly nagged by her husband’s other wife. She finally had a son – Samuel who became a great man of God at a time when Israel needed spiritual leadership. Think of Sarah and Elizabeth who both were barren and felt the shame of not being able to give children to their husbands. Were not Isaac and John the Baptist to come forth from their wombs! Pages could be written concerning undesired and painful events that led up to something that people never thought would happen.

 

Rare were those who, like Paul, were able to comprehend that the hand of God was behind all that was happening to them. Blessed are you if you are one of them! If you can say as Paul that what is happening to you is furthering the gospel.

 

(13)so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

 

A second thing that Paul wants the Philippians to know is that the reason for his imprisonment is known. There was no gossiping or lying concerning his chains. No false accusations being spread around. Everybody knew the real reason why Paul was suffering in jail. And because of this the gospel was spreading! The palace guards had heard the story behind his incarceration. Paul was there because of Christ. He wasn’t a scoundrel, a crook or a thief. It is one thing to be jailed for crimes that you have committed but another for being a disciple of Christ. Remember what Peter had to say on this subject:

​

1 Peter 2:19-21

(19)For one is approved if, mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly.

(20)For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval.

(21)For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

(RSV)

 

As I read these lines I cannot but wonder what am I known for? What do people recognise in me? Do they know me as a “good person” or as a Christian? If it’s as a “good person” then I have failed because there are “good people” (using human standards) in all walks of faith and even in those who deny the existence of God altogether. As Paul was known so should I be known to belong to Christ. Paul writes that it is evident. It’s not as though people had to guess, deduct or suppose that he was Christian – it was evident. People could see it right away. And again I must ask myself if people around me find it evident that I follow Jesus Christ. If not, then I’ve got some “walking in the light” to do!

 

(14)and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

 

A third thing that Paul wanted the Philippians to be certain of is the following. His chains did not discourage the other Christians. This is a spiritual truth that we see all over history and in our present world. The more there is opposition towards the faith the stronger it gets. If you read the book of Acts you will see the massive opposition and yet the spreading of the faith as though it was a bushfire! Churches blossomed everywhere in the known Roman Empire. History tells us that the heavier the hand of Caesar the greater was the harvest of souls.

 

Today it is believed that we need to be at peace with everybody and in harmony with all others. Not that we should be picking fights with other religions or philosophies but we should understand that Disciples of Christ will be hated. We have been warned by Jesus himself:

 

Matthew 10:25

it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of his household.

(RSV)

 

Matthew 10:18

and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles.

(RSV)

 

Mark 13:9

But take heed to yourselves; for they will deliver you up to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them.

(RSV)

 

But why should people reject those who truly believe in Christ. Why should kind, caring and loving people be looked upon as being so dangerous to society? John tells us in his gospel:

 

John 1:10,11

(10)He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.

(11)He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.

(RSV)

 

If people do not receive Jesus they certainly will not receive his disciples.

 

But the chains of Paul strengthened the brethren and this showed up in two ways. First of all most of them became confident. They may have been shy and reluctant to manifest their faith. This is not new! Paul even tells Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel!

 

2 Timothy 1:8

Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God.

(RSV)

 

Because of Paul, people began to be bolder in their testimony. The enemy might have been glad to see Paul being shut in prison but the Lord changed it for good – others were now taking his place! Now people:

 

(14) …are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

 

I can almost imagine the sparkle in the eyes of Paul as he was writing these lines. How excited he must have been to know that Christians were opening up and spreading the gospel. That his chains had a positive impact on the brethren. I can see that Paul was ready to pay the price so that the glorious gospel would spread its wings in Rome. Paying the price for Paul was: being jailed, chained and humiliated by society. Have you ever thought that you are also called to pay the price so that others may be encouraged or may come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Are you paying the price? Do you even want to pay the price? Most were ready in Rome and I pray that you also are.

 

(15)Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will:

(16)The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

(17)but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

(18)What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

 

The last thing that Paul wanted the Philippians to know dealt with the hearts of the Roman Christians. The Christian community in Rome was pretty much like everywhere else in the world, even in our world of today and it seems that we have not learned our lesson after all those centuries! Paul is so happy that the word of Christ is getting out there. That Disciples of Christ are spreading the Good News. But in doing this he can see that the hearts of some Christians are not pure in doing this. In verse fifteen to eighteen Paul speaks of two groups of people – two that are very different.

 

The first group that is spoken of are Christians whose hearts are not right with the Lord. This is Paul’s description:

• Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife (15)

• The former preach Christ from selfish ambition (16)

• not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains (16)

 

What was wrong with them? If we could take a spiritual x-ray of their hearts this is what we would find: envy, strife, selfish ambition, lack of sincerity and a desire to add affliction to the already difficult situation Paul was living.

 

Could it be possible that in Rome (as it happened in other churches) that for some reason there were those who stood against Paul? It may be out of envy or jealousy, for others they may have had a difficulty with authority? We don’t really know but what we do know is that sin can be alive and well in the hearts of regenerated people! Out of the five sins that Paul mentions in verses fifteen and sixteen the one I see the most frequently in our Christian circles today is the preaching of Christ for selfish ambition (v.16). This is especially true in churches where money, luxury and materialism is actually called a blessing from God. I fear that many preach Christ out of selfish ambition – to become wealthy! May we never become like the Christians that Paul describes! This teaches me that I always need to be ever watchful of my heart, knowing that:

 

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?

(RSV)

 

If not attended to, my heart can slip away into sin’s mud so easily. I believe that this is what happened to some of the Christians at Rome. They did not guard their hearts and they became corrupt. But I say “some” because our text in verse fifteen says: “Some indeed preach”. Not all were like these sinful brethren, on the contrary some had pure hearts. This is Paul’s description:

• some also from good will (15)

• but the latter out of love (17)

• knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel (17)

 

As I said some (most of them I hope) had their hearts in the “right place”. They did not see Paul as an enemy but rather as sent by God, a true apostle, who needed to be respected and honoured as such. These brethren had a spiritual vision that ought to be recommended. Notice that they did not follow what the other Christians were saying or doing in relationship with Paul. They stood firm in their beliefs and were not swayed away. We also see that their motives were completely different. They preached Christ out of love (v.17) while the first group did out of envy, strife and selfish ambition (v.15, 16). And finally they preached to defend the gospel (v.17) while the others preached to add affliction to Paul (v.16). Now it is always sad to see that some Christians act in a sinful way. But amen that there are those who do things with godly motives.

 

(18)What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

 

This is Paul’s conclusion to what I would call a spiritual disorder. What would have been our thoughts concerning evangelism in Rome and how it was done? What are our thoughts concerning how evangelism is done today? I can see that Paul handled things with a lot of spiritual maturity. Instead of being irritated, or claiming that people abused him or wanting to disassociate himself from this fringe group, he was actually rejoicing that the Good News was being preached. He knows that some are doing it for an evil gain but he still rejoices because the gospel is being heard.

 

I believe that Paul understands that for whatever reason or way that some preach Christ – God is in control. He knows that souls can be saved in whatever context or platform the salvation message is presented. He has total confidence in God. He understands that people can be saved by the thousands as with Peter on Pentecost (Acts 2:41) or one at a time as with Philip and the Ethiopian on a lonely road (Acts 8:34-40). And that’s what Paul, so far, wanted the Philippians to know.

 

We are all called to share the gospel message with those around us. One of the main reasons why there are less and less people that come to the Lord in North America and Europe is simply because God’s people have become silent. For some unknown reason the drive that pushed Christians to evangelize has gone away. I sometimes wonder and ask myself if all of this wealth and materialism that we so abundantly have is not a hidden curse upon God’s children. So comfortable feeling no real need for the Lord, we simply have become silent. This reminds me what the Lord Jesus said to the church at Laodicea:

 

Revelation 3:15-19

(15)I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!

(16)So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.

(17)For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

(18)Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.

(19)Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent.

(RSV)

 

May we open our hearts, be ready to pay the price and share the Good News with those whom we come in contact with.

 

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Philippians 1:19-26

05 - ‘Living for Christ’

 

(19)For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

(20)according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

(21)For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

(22)But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.

(23)For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

(24)Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

(25)And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,

(26) that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

(NASB)

 

Have you ever been in a situation where you did not know what to do? Should I go or should I stay? Should I buy or should I wait a little longer? Being ambivalent is not easy for the emotions especially when the stakes are high! Imagine a matter of life or death! If I lie I will live but if I tell the truth I will surely die. How difficult that situation must be. Well in this section Paul will mainly speak about his spiritual tug of war.

 

(19)For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

 

Paul speaks about the present events of his life. The imprisonment, the spread of the gospel the brothers that have a pure heart and the others that don’t and still others that are acting this way just to do him harm. I must say that Paul’s circumstances are quite challenging. I can imagine the average person saying: “How can I get out of this situation?” But Paul wasn’t the average person and he doesn’t see things the way others do. It seems that Paul understands that all the circumstances he presently is living is for his own good – because he writes:

 

(19) For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance

 

How, when, where – he doesn’t know but what he is certain of is that the outcome of his present trials will be his deliverance. Whether it is his physical or spiritual deliverance he does not know but it doesn’t seem to matter much to Paul. In his letter to the Romans Paul had written the following:

 

Romans 8:28

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

(RSV)

 

Many believe that Paul’s letter to the Romans was written around 57 AD and the Philippian letter around 60 AD. If this is true then Paul is applying what he wrote to the Romans (about all things working together for the good) to his own life! It’s an easy thing to say to a grieving family that “God will take care of everything and that they just need to rest in Him” - we all do it. But when it happens to us are we that confident in God?

 

Paul explains the spiritual support that will help him pass through this difficult situation.

 

(19) …through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ

 

There are two things that he mentions: the prayers of the brethren and the support of the Holy Spirit. As for the prayers of the saints, do I need to explain the importance of praying for each other? Our prayers (in a way that is not quite understood) has a determining effect on the future events of things, that’s why we are told to pray for:

• The harvest of souls (Mat. 9:38)

• God to choose another season or day to act (Mat. 24:20)

• Victory over the flesh (Mat. 26:53)

• Strength (Luke 18:1)

• Christians not to do evil (2 Cor. 13:7)

• To be made complete (2 Cor. 13:9)

 

Paul knows that praying to God, in the name of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit is what the Lord God has prescribed his children to do in all circumstances. So he asks the Philippians to pray for him, actually it would be more accurate to write that he knows that the Philippians are already praying for him. So there is power in the prayers of the saints. James wrote about this:

 

James 5:17,18

(17)Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.

(18)Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.

(RSV)

 

The second spiritual support is the person of the Holy Spirit. He will assist Paul in his afflictions.

 

(19) …the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ

 

What does the Holy Spirit supply to the believer? I believe a quick look at the different names given to the Holy Spirit will bring us an answer.

 

The Spirit supplies lordship and also liberty.

 

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

(RSV)

 

The Spirit supplies all that concerns life.

 

Romans 8:10

But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness.

(RSV)

 

The Spirit supplies leadership.

 

Romans 8:14

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

(RSV)

 

The Spirit supplies the love needed.

 

Romans 15:30

I appeal to you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,

(RSV)

 

The Spirit will supply all the help needed.

 

John 14:16

And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor, to be with you for ever.

(RSV)

 

The Spirit will supply the power needed in your life.

 

Luke 1:35

And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

(RSV)

 

There are literally dozens of different names attributed to the Holy Spirit in the Bible and all of them manifest his power and personality. Since the Holy Spirit lives in the true believer and he is called to help, imagine what the Holy Spirit can supply to the child of God! No wonder Paul had confidence concerning his future.

 

(20)according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

 

Here Paul begins to talk about what I call the tug of war that exists in his heart. But before he explains his dilemma he makes a bold statement. He says that “in nothing I shall be ashamed.” Paul is opening his heart once more and refers to his deepest desires that reside in him. It’s his expectation and hope that he will never be put to shame. I can only imagine he is speaking concerning his conduct. Even in prison he wants to be a true reflection of his Saviour. Unlike many Christians today who make excuses Paul maintains the same high standard for himself (despite his circumstances) that of Glorifying God and striving to never bring shame to the Lord.

 

So when you are in prison what can you do to glorify the Lord God? It’s a good question because many of us often wonder how we can glorify the Lord. I’m a stay- at-home-mom, or I’m retired, or I don’t have all my physical capacities – what can I do? It seems that it all begins with our attitude. “With boldness” was his outlook on life. Boldness (PARRHESIA) which gives the idea of being out-spoken referring to one’s assurance. Whatever Paul does he does with assurance. He is driven and he is not ashamed of this:

 

(20) …so now also Christ will be magnified in my body,

whether by life or by death.

 

What Paul is determined to do unashamedly even in prison – is to magnify the Lord in his body. You see the body of Paul is his instrument of life and it also is yours and mine. That is why we need to remember the following:

 

1 Corinthians 6:20

you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

(RSV)

 

Paul wants to magnify (MEGALUNO) to make great or to extol the Lord Jesus. Every person coming to see Paul is to see Jesus lifted up high and glorified. So whether in speech or in deed this was Paul’s mission in prison – to let everyone know about Jesus. And it seems that it was working well for him (1:13). This also should be our mission – to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ where we are and at all times.

 

(20) …whether by life or by death

 

May I ask you a question? Is it easier to glorify the Lord in our life or in our death? Think about it before you answer. As for me I believe that it is easier to glorify the Lord in death – why, simple! Usually death does not take that long to happen but life can take decades of Christian living and striving to honour God. But for Paul it didn’t really seem to matter in life or in death his goal was the same and his objective did not change.

 

(21)For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

There are few statements that “tell it all” like this phrase. He is saying that “My life is Jesus and in death I gain even more than I have in life”. It is a win-win situation, Paul could not lose on either side of eternity!

 

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

(RSV)

 

This well-known verse (which was made into a song) says exactly the same thing. What Paul tells the Galatians (in or around 50 AD) is the same as he tells them years later. So this is not something new that Paul thought up because he might die and has nothing else better to do than to glorify God. No, this is a pattern of life. It is the bedrock of Paul’s principle in life – I will magnify the Lord in all I do. That’s my life because the Lord died for me so I will live for him!

 

2 Corinthians 5:15

And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

(RSV)

 

The following verses bring us to the heart of the tug of war.

 

(22)But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labour; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.

(23)For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

(24)Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

 

Do I want to live with you or die and be with Christ? If I live then:

 

(22) …this will mean fruit from my labor

 

If I live that means that I will have more opportunities to bear fruit for the glory of God here on earth. But Paul then says:

 

(22) …Yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.

(23)For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

 

Can you feel the hesitation grinding on Paul’s heart? If I stay, I’ll be with the brethren and continue to teach, encourage and discipline. If I go, then all the troubles that the churches and life give me will have vanished - no more headaches and heartaches. Paul knows that being with Christ is “far better”. This should encourage all Christians, death is the opening of the door to God’s mansions that he has prepared for us (John 14:2). Death, as we see explained here, is a good thing to look forward to! So what is Paul going to decide to do – stay or go?

 

(24)Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

 

Once more we see that Paul thinks of others before he thinks of himself! The tug of war is finished, one side has won over the other. Paul decided that for the good of the brethren he would stay by their side. I have seen many people slowly dying and most of them can’t wait to be with the Lord. I have rarely seen someone say: “I need to stay because people need me to help them”!

 

(25)And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,

(26) that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

 

So far this is the third time that Paul uses the word confident. In verse six he is confident in the Lord God. In verse fourteen the brethren in the Lord are confident. And now in verse twenty-five he is confident. Now what is Paul confident of? Well he is confident in God. He is confident that God is sovereign in all things including the time he will remain on earth and the time he will leave this world. Please notice that Paul not only wants to remain here on earth but he has a goal for being here instead of being with Christ.

 

(25) …I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith

 

He wants to stay because he wants to be part of the progress and joy of the brothers and sisters in the faith. Should this not also be our “vision of life”? What is our reason for living? Certainly, as Paul said earlier, to magnify the Lord. But also to assist those of the faith to grow and be joyful. He wants to give unto others what he had received from the Lord. We certainly desire this for our children or grandchildren but what about for everybody in the church?

 

(26) that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

 

Paul is thinking of the joy of the Philippians before his own joy! As though he is saying: “I know that if I go to be with Christ this will bring you sadness – so I’m staying!” This makes me think of what Jesus said:

 

Matthew 7:12

So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

(RSV)

 

And that is what Paul was doing even when confronted by death in jail. What a wonderful model Paul is. He is quite content to remain in the state he is in knowing that this will bring encouragement to his brothers and sisters in the Lord. When life brings situations that are uncomfortable, what is normally our first reaction? What can I do to change it? How often do I stop to think of the impact on others if I change my personal situation? For example, I don’t really enjoy my work (but my co-workers count on me) so I’ll look for another one. Or I don’t feel at ease with doing Sunday school (although all the kids seem to enjoy themselves) so I’ll tell the superintendent to try to find someone else. I know I’m the only piano player in the church but I sure wish I didn’t have to play every Sunday – I’m changing church! We often act in direct opposition to what the Scriptures say we ought to do – here it’s called selfishness! Think of others before thinking about yourself. Be ready to suffer for the sake of others. When we learn to joyfully do this – we truly are children that the Father can be proud of!

 

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Philippians 1:27-30

06 - ‘Your daily walk’

 

(27)Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

(28)and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

(29)For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

(30)having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

(NASB)

 

These four verses bring to an end the first chapter of the book of Philippians. Paul now turns his focus from his Christian conduct to their Christian conduct. Normally a person is much more interested in how others behave than with their own behaviour. Just think of the Pharisees and how they watched Jesus to be able to find some accusation against him.

 

Luke 11:53,54

(53)As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard, and to provoke him to speak of many things,

(54)lying in wait for him, to catch at something he might say.

(RSV)

 

People are so swift at detecting the smallest mistake one can make. This certainly was a problem in the times of Christ just as it is today.

 

Matthew 7:3-5

(3)Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

(4)Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when there is the log in your own eye?

(5)You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

(RSV)

 

Have you noticed that Paul first begins with his own conduct and then speaks about the conduct of others? Paul doesn’t point the finger at others before pointing it at himself. He searches his own heart before asking others to search theirs. This is the way all Christians ought to handle themselves.

Don’t judge others before you judge yourself. This is another life lesson that we absolutely need to learn and practice. Between you and me, no one likes a person that goes around judging others all the time. If you are one of them, please realize that it is a sin and you need to repent of it.

 

(27)Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

 

The conduct that is mentioned here (PILITEUOMAI) speaks of our behaviour as a citizen. Now what citizenship is Paul referring to? If he speaks of an earthly citizenship then it has nothing to do with “the gospel of Christ” that is mentioned a few words later. So we can automatically discard this thought. This leaves us with just one other possibility – the heavenly citizenship that all true believers have. Paul will later speak of this:

 

Philippians 3:20

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

(RSV)

 

So our conduct (or heavenly citizenship) must reflect our true homeland. Since we are no longer of the earth, the standards of our lives have changed. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul refers to this conduct of life and what it actually means.

 

Ephesians 4:1-3

(1)I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

(2)with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love,

(3)eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(RSV)

 

Ephesians 4:17

Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds;

(RSV)

 

Ephesians 5:1,2

(1)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

(2)And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (RSV)

Ephesians 5:8

for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.

(RSV)

 

In other words when people look at you do they see you as a living gospel of Jesus Christ? Paul expects a few things concerning the holy conduct of the Philippians. The first deals with the absence of hypocrisy:

 

(27) …so that whether I come and see you or am absent

 

It can often happen at home, work or church that we can act in a way that is different than when we are observed. Have you noticed that our real nature is made manifest when there is no one there to see us? Paul, being the authority figure (as an apostle), tells the Philippians that whether he is there or not their conduct is not to vary. This capricious conduct is devastating for your testimony, because people easily see when someone is a fraud. And the only thing that you will bring is shame on the gospel of Christ. Christ lived a life void of hypocrisy and so should we. Remember what Jesus once said:

 

John 8:46

Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

(RSV)

 

Therefore do not be a spiritual hypocrite, rather be honest and true to what you do.

 

The second point speaks about being open and transparent:

 

(27) …I may hear of your affairs

 

Christian living is something that is done in the open. As a lamp lights the room, so should the lives of believers of Christ shine wherever they are. Jesus told us that we are the light of the world and that this light should not be hidden (Mat. 5:14). I see in these words that what is done is done not in secret but in the open view. Open enough that one can hear about it even if they are far away. So let this be a warning to all of us in relationship with our daily walk. We should be aware that our life is to be seen by all and make certain that someone, even far away, won’t hear a negative comment about us.

 

(27) …that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

 

Paul continues to describe what a conduct, worthy of the gospel, looks like. Here we see that it deals with unity. All together with a common goal. It gives me the idea of an army of soldiers walking all at the same pace, keeping in step and in line and naturally all heading in the same direction. These soldiers are steadfast and are of one spirit, having one goal in mind. Unity is so important in our Christian life that Paul also deals with this subject in his letter to the Ephesians. In his letter he speaks of the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:3) and also the unity of the faith (Eph. 4:13). Let’s not forget that unity is the desire and the prayer of Christ for all of his disciples.

 

John 17:11

And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

(RSV)

 

As Christians we have a heavenly citizenship but we have not entered our homeland yet. So while we are here we are to walk in one spirit with one another in harmony and unity. We are also to walk in one direction, persevering and being very determined to live the gospel, as it is taught by our Saviour through the Holy Spirit, by the ink of the New Testament writers.

 

What will happen when believers in Christ are determined to walk in a way that glorifies the gospel and reflects the holiness of God? Trouble is what will happen! And we know this is true because Jesus told us that it would definitively happen (Mat. 26:31; John 15:18). We know it is also true because persecution of the Disciples of Christ is everywhere to be seen in the New Testament. So Paul writes about this.

 

(28)and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

 

The natural reaction when serious trouble lies ahead is to become afraid. We call it “natural instincts”. When adversaries are marching against us we tend to worry. Remember King Saul when the Philistines were waging war against him (1 Sam. 13). He got so terrified that he didn’t wait for Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice to the Lord he did it himself! You see because he was terrified he acted foolishly, offered a sacrifice, offended God and he lost his kingdom. Paul tells the Philippians not to be in any way terrified. Now this steadfastness is for them a sign of perdition. Their own perdition of course! They are blinded by the fact that they see no fear in believers and they think that they will be able to overcome them.

​

They are few, unarmed, simple people – we will destroy them in a snap of a finger! History has proven the opposite, the children of God are not only still here but have grown in numbers. If the absence of being afraid is actually a “trap” for unbelievers it is the opposite for the child of God. Paul says that to the Philippians it is their salvation. In other words it is one of the different ways that the Lord comes to the aid of his children. He helps them to be calm.

 

Psalms 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!"

(RSV)

 

Paul had told the Philippians that he would magnify the Lord whether in life or in death (1:20). To be able to do that, one needs to be unafraid. And one can be unafraid when one is assured, deep down inside, that God is in charge of everything that is happening.

 

(29)For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

(30)having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

 

As I think of the state of the Church today I hear very little concerning what is written in verses twenty-nine and thirty. In some circles the only thing that is presented to the Christians as being granted unto them is power, health, money and victory in all things. It is said, God wants you to be rich, wants you to be healthy, and wants you to have power and victory in your life. As I read the Holy Scriptures I do not see this at all. We are misled to satisfy our flesh (power, health, money & victory) instead of satisfying the Lord (walking in meekness and so forth). I fear that it is the blind that are leading the blind!

 

Paul is telling the Philippians that God has granted (CHARIZOMAI) to them which means “to grant as a favour” the following. But first I would like to stress the fact that what is granted is part of the grace of God unto us. It is God’s grace, not his punishment, or severity, or lack of compassion but his grace that places believers in “suffering” situations. We have a tendency to believe that all that is good (to our standards) is from God and all that is bad (to our standards) is from the devil. The problem with this is that OUR thoughts determine what is good or bad. Or what situation is from God and which one is from our spiritual enemy.

 

Paul writes that the grace of God does two things. First of all it brings salvation (not only to believe in him). Isn’t redemption wonderful to hear and sing about! Tell me about my redemption and the benefits I will receive. Remind me of the mansions that God has prepared for his children. Speak of heaven and how God will wipe away all my tears. To Paul this is an unbalanced view of God’s grace. And in most churches today this is the only view that is taught. There is another side of the grace of God and that is:

 

(29) …but also to suffer for His sake

 

When was the last time you heard a sermon speaking about suffering as part of God’s grace and plan for your life? Well it is, but we would rather close our eyes than to accept this truth. As we have seen earlier Paul accepted his imprisonment with joy and contentment. I wonder if we are ready to suffer unjustly for the sake of Christ. Are we ready to lose friends, job opportunities, be laughed at and gossiped about? Would we accept when our family members shun and despise us for the sake of Christ? Remember what Christ said:

 

Luke 9:57-62

(57)As they were going along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."

(58)And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head."

(59)To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

(60)But he said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

(61)Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home."

(62)Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

(RSV)

 

As believers, we have received the grace of salvation but also to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. We are openly willing to receive the first. What are we doing with the second grace? I have noticed that most people love to read Hebrews 11:1-35 (which speaks of the first grace) but I rarely hear someone speak about Hebrews 11:35b-40 (which speaks of the second).

 

Heb. 11:35b-40

(35b)Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life.

(36)Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment.

(37)They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated --

(38)of whom the world was not worthy-- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

(39)And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised,

(40)since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

(RSV)

 

Why do we shy away from identifying ourselves with Jesus Christ when there is a price to pay? Why do we praise God for the grace of salvation and not for the grace of suffering with his Son?

 

(30) having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

 

Paul ends by saying that things haven’t changed that much. What they saw is still happening as he wrote the letter. This still rings true for today and even more. It is said that in the 20th century more Christians have died for their faith than all the other centuries combined! The beginning of the 21st century has intensified its hatred for believers and has opened the door to even more massacres of helpless Christians. Let us not forget that both have been granted to us: salvation and persecution.

 

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Philippians 2:1-4

07 - ‘Be like-minded’

 

(1)Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, (2)make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

(3)Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

(4)do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

(NASB)

 

The end of chapter one finishes with the conduct of the Philippians and how this conduct will have an effect; a negative effect on the adversaries and a positive effect on themselves being a proof that they belong to God. Now in the first four verses of chapter two Paul continues to speak concerning the conduct of the believers and the effect of this godly living on their everyday life. When I study the Holy Scriptures there is a striking aspect that is spoken of over and over again and that is the conduct that the child of God should manifest.

 

This was first taught in the Garden of Eden:

 

Genesis 2:15-17

(15)The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

(16)And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;

(17)but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die."

(RSV)

 

Don’t eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil – that was what God asked of Adam. A simple command was placed in front of our first parents. And they failed in their walk and became sinners. As you read the pages of the Bible you will see that the demand concerning conduct of man grew and grew until it was fully manifested by what is referred as “the Law” which includes the Ten Commandments and all the other laws given by the Lord to Moses for his people – 613 in all! This “list of conduct” was impossible to carry out – for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23). Amen that Christ has fulfilled the Law in my place (Mat. 5:17)!

​

Still today God wants his children to have a different conduct than those who do not know him. But it seems that when one speaks of honouring God by following the Law he is automatically called a legalist. Unfortunately many do not understand that the grace of God is given to the believer so he can “walk in the light” and not in darkness any longer. So this section concerning our conduct is very important.

 

(1)Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion.

 

Let’s not forget that Paul is imprisoned and I believe that Paul might be asking himself “Is it worth it all?” “I’ve worked so hard, it’s been so difficult, has my ministry had any effect?” I also believe that Paul is searching for comfort and some type of tangible human support (he is human after all)!

 

There are two types of consolations that Paul would like to receive while he is in prison. The first deals with spiritual consolations which he receives from God. These consolations are perfect in every way. They reach down to the very essence of our needs as a person. Our God is the God of consolation!

 

2 Thessalonians 2:16

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

(RSV)

 

What is the consolation that is showered upon Paul?

 

The first is the “encouragement found in Christ.” When we turn our eyes to Christ, when we sit at his feet, when we listen to his words - we receive his support. Not only does he know what we are going through but he actually has tasted the very hardship that is laid upon us. In his majestic rendering of our eternal High Priest the author of the Book of Hebrews wrote the following:

 

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

(RSV)

 

And because Christ has suffered like we have suffered he can fully sympathise, empathise and understand us. It is the same Jesus that cared for the sick, blind and bedridden, the same that fed thousands, forgave sin and raised the dead – the same Jesus that cares for all his disciples. What unique consolation we find in Christ Jesus!

 

The second is the “consolation that love brings.” In Deut. 4:37 the love of God for his chosen nation brought deliverance from Egypt and opened a land of milk and honey for them. We see that love brings deliverance. Paul may have reminded himself of God’s love for him having given him deliverance over the condemnation of the Law. In Isaiah 43:4 the love of God brought honour to his people and they became very precious in his eyes. What honour shall be given to all of God’s children when they shall be received in the New Jerusalem as heirs of the Almighty! In Jeremiah 31:3 it is written that the love of God is an everlasting love. It shall never diminish nor pass away. It will always cover God’s adopted child day in and day out. In John 15:9 Jesus says that his love for his disciples can be compared to the Father’s love that he has received. As Paul lies in his prison he reflects on the love that God has for him. A love that brought: deliverance, honour and worth, eternal assurance, and is equal to the love of the Father for the Son. No wonder Paul felt God’s love.

 

The third is the “fellowship of the Spirit.” Isolated, chained and imprisoned I can imagine that human fellowship was scarce. But there was a deeper and more profound fellowship that Paul experienced in that jailhouse – the fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Certain names given to the Holy Spirit will help us understand what role the Holy Spirit would have in fellowshipping with Paul.

• “The Spirit of Life” (Rom. 8:2). The Spirit has life in himself and could share life when Paul needed it most.

• “The Eternal Spirit” (Heb. 9:14). The Spirit would always be capable to come to the aid of Paul anywhere and anytime.

• “The Spirit of grace” (Zech. 12:10). Paul would never find himself outside of God’s grace.

• “The Spirit of truth” (John 14:17). Paul could always find truth in God and come back to rest upon it.

 

As I said before the Bible is filled with different titles, names and types given to describe the Holy Spirit. Paul could find daily fellowship with the Spirit for he is filled with truth, grace and life and He also is eternal and could always be called upon.

 

The fourth consolation is affection. This word (SPLAGCHNON) means sympathy or pity in Greek. It’s wonderful to understand that the Lord can (and does) look upon our life and circumstances and feel sympathy and pity towards us. Disciples of Christ are not mere insects that can be walked upon and never thought of or cared for! Paul could find sympathy and pity from the Lord like the Lord had given in the past to Israel.

 

Judges 2:18

Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them.

(RSV)

 

Finally the fifth is compassion. Paul could find mercies in all he was living. The caring, tender hand of God was always there to lift him when he needed consolation. Our God is the God of mercy.

 

Deuteronomy 7:9

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

(RSV)

 

These five things saturated Paul: encouragement, love, fellowship, affection and compassion. All these things came from God. But what about the Philippians – what could they do to encourage Paul? In verse two to four Paul will tell what these beloved brothers and sisters could do to hearten him. As we will see, each verse speaks of a different aspect of their life or being.

 

(2)make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

 

I find it marvellous that Christians who are so far away from Paul, can have a positive effect on his everyday life! I believe that it is the same thing for all the children of God! We can, by our walk in Christ, actually have an effect on someone half way across the world. But how was this done in Paul’s day? Well, the same way that it is done today – we encourage others when they hear about our steadfastness in Christ. The apostle John said it this way:

 

3 John 1:3

For I greatly rejoiced when some of the brethren arrived and testified to the truth of your life, as indeed you do follow the truth.

(RSV)

 

The word complete (PLEROO) means to make complete. It literally means “to cram”. Paul wanted to be in complete joy learning that the Philippians were all like-minded. Now does this imply that some were not like-minded? Unfortunately it probably does. I have yet to see a church where everybody thinks alike on every subject. Whether it is finance, missions, evangelism, church structure, Sunday school, and so forth. Like-minded (PHRONEO) means to be mentally disposed. Paul is telling the Philippians that they should be thinking alike, like Christ would think naturally!

 

1 Corinthians 2:16

"For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

(RSV)

 

Thinking alike and having the mind of Christ, truly brought joy to the heart of Paul. Just as a father enjoys seeing all of his children being in harmony I can only imagine Paul rejoicing when he heard that his spiritual children were all thinking alike. Isn’t it the same thing today? Do we not rejoice when we hear about a church that is moving in the same direction for the glory of God? And doesn’t it break your heart when you hear of church “splits” or church members accusing others of ungodly things?

 

Being like-minded means that they had the same love. As an example I could say that when a couple have the same love it means that they pour their attention and care on the same object – their children for example. They have goals for their children and they work towards those goals. A wonderful family atmosphere, being balanced in their expenses towards them, desiring for them a higher education. These parents both have the same love for their children and show it by both working together in the same direction. As for the Philippians Paul encouraged them that they should have the same love. First of all love for God and secondly love for their fellowmen – whether inside or outside of the church. There is something unique when people of a congregation truly love each other – they become Disciples of Christ!

 

John 13:35

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

(RSV)

 

Filling Paul with joy also meant that they were to be “united in spirit”. We have stated that probably in some cases the Philippians were not like-minded. Here we see that Paul stresses this point by saying “Be of one accord”. One accord (SUMPSUCHOS) gives the idea of having the same spirit or having similar sentiments. This involves the emotions of the Philippians. I know for a fact that sometimes we can agree and work with others to reach a goal without having our heart totally in it. But we do it anyways “for the greater good”. What I see in this new aspect of giving joy to Paul is that the hearts of the people (not only the minds) are to work or walk in the same direction. What a difference it makes when it is your heart that drives you forward. Every time the Bible speaks of loving your God it always begins with “all of your heart”. Why is it always before your, soul, mind and strength? Simply because if God has your heart he truly has all “of you”.

 

Paul ends this section of what it means to be like-minded by adding being “intent in one purpose.” So far we have seen that being like-minded means to be of the same love, same accord (sentiment) and naturally the same mind. It is the same Greek word at the beginning of this verse when Paul writes “fulfill my joy by being like-minded”. As I said earlier this means to be mentally well disposed.

 

My question would be the following “How can I do this?” How can I have the same love, be of one accord and have the same mind as my brothers and sisters in Christ? It is one thing to say what I must do but it’s another to show me how I can reach that goal! Well that is exactly what Paul is going to do. This is one of the things that I love about the Holy Scriptures. They show me the path to walk on. Since I’m a very practical person I really need this aspect in my life. So in verses three and four Paul will explain to the Philippians just how to do it.

 

(3)Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

(4)do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

Paul makes two bold statements. Now for the natural man this is definitively something to AVOID at all costs. But to the spiritual man this is something that is absolutely necessary to do. When you think of it this is the very basis of our religion. We cannot be Disciples of Christ if we do not live these two verses. Let’s look at verse three.

 

(3)Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

 

When Paul says; “do nothing” it is very clear that everything is important in what he is about to write. We cannot be a “part time” Christian or an “it depends” follower of Christ. So what is the attitude that I should not have when I do things – Paul points out two traits of character.

 

The first is – “selfish ambition or empty conceit”. This speaks of the “me, myself and I” syndrome that all humans have. Let’s face it – we are all basically selfish in nature. We all want to take care of ourselves first and if there is an overflow then we can share with others. Please take time to read Romans chapter eight which speaks about not walking according to the flesh. Have you noticed that no one has to teach you how to love and take care of yourself! We do it naturally. But we do have to be told how to share, love, be patient, kind and so forth with others. So naturally nothing ought to be done from selfish ambition.

 

I need to ask myself “What is the reasoning behind my actions” or “Am I doing this to get something out of it?” “Do I give to get a bigger tax receipt?” “Do I clean the church building to be thanked?” “Do I teach Sunday school to be recognized?” “Am I on the church board to have power over what goes on?” “Am I caring towards my spouse in order to look good?” All these things that I have mentioned are inhabited by self-ambition. Beware of self-ambition it always destroys the one doing it. Self-ambition devastated King Nimrod and the tower of Babel was not finished. Self-ambition filled King Saul and he lost his kingdom. Self-ambition brought death to Judas when he sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver. There is no place for self-ambition in the Christian life.

 

Usually where there is self-ambition there is conceit (KENODOXIA) which means: empty or vain glory. Paul teaches that self-ambition and conceit go hand in hand. All that self-ambition is able to give to us is nothing more than empty or vain glory. It is a glory that is temporary and has no worth in itself. It lasts but a fraction of a second compared to the glory that the Lord will give to his Disciples. Do you remember these teachings from our Lord?

 

Matthew 6:2

"Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

(RSV)

 

Matthew 6:5

"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

(RSV)

 

Matthew 6:16

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

(RSV)

 

Charitable deeds, prayers and fasting can be done with self-ambition and when it is, you harvest conceit (empty or vain glory). Paul now tells the Philippians how to avoid or get rid of self-ambition.

 

(3) …but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.

 

Self-ambition makes you want to be number one and have all the glory possible. The spiritual solution is quite simple my friend – it’s all in the mind! Paul says that the battle is in your mind because he speaks of “humility of the mind.” How you see yourself will make all the difference. By the way how did the writers of the epistles see themselves?

 

         Romans 1:1 - Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ

         James 1:1 - James, a bondservant of God

         2 Peter 1:1 - Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ

         Rev. 1:1 - And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John

         Jude 1:1 - Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ

 

Having lowliness of mind is exactly what John the Baptist was all about:

 

Matthew 3:11

"I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

(RSV)

 

John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease."

(RSV)

 

Humility of mind is the first ingredient for battling self-ambition and conceit. The second part of verse three teaches us what to do instead:

 

(3) …but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.

 

If the first part deals with how we look at ourselves the second part deals with how we look at others. Here Paul tells the Philippians to esteem others better than themselves. The word esteem (HEGOMAI) means to deem, consider or count. Christians need to have the right vision concerning their brothers and sisters. They are to see others as superior to themselves. This does not demean ourselves but it places us in our rightful position – as servants of each other. In Rom. 1:9 and 2 Tim. 1:3 Paul speaks of himself as a servant of God. In Gal. 5:13 we are to serve one another. 1 Tim. 6:2 speaks of serving our masters. So instead of serving ourselves we are called to first serve the Lord and then those around us.

 

The second part to the question: “How can I have the same love, be of one accord and have the same mind as my brothers and sisters in Christ?” is found in verse four:

 

(4) do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

Paul desires the entire church community in Philippi to be doing this. Too often we see only a handful of people really wanting to live as Christ teaches. Many are not ready to pay the price or they are still filled with selfish ambition or conceit. Not everyone really wants to be a Disciples of Christ in its true sense.

 

John 6:66-68

(66)After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him.

(67)Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?"

(68)Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;

(RSV)

 

What is it that Paul wants each and every believer in Philippi to do to fight self-ambition? It’s simple, stop looking out for you only. Notice what Paul writes:

 

(4) do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

Look out NOT ONLY “for your own interest”. The Scriptures do not tell us to stop looking out for ourselves to abandon the care of ourselves or to totally deny that we do need care. It says NOT ONLY which leaves place to actually care for us.

Taking care of ourselves and our needs is normal but this desire has been twisted by sin to make this our top priority. Paul teaches the believers that it’s all right to take care of yourselves but don’t forget that you’re not number one! First of all God is number one and then the others take second place, then you come after, in terms of God’s priorities.

 

Think of Abram and his nephew Lot. At one point they separate because their flocks are too numerous and their servants fight over pastures and water. Abram offers Lot to take the first choice concerning what land he wants. Lot, being carnal, takes the best for himself (Gen. 13:10,11) leaving Abram with the less desirable land. Not a lot of consideration for his uncle who took care of him since his parents died. Then in chapter fourteen Lot gets to be a captive because of a local war. When Abram gets to hear about this he rushes to Lot’s rescue and delivers him (Gen. 14:13-16). Abram could have held a grudge against his inconsiderate nephew but being a spiritual person he looks for Lot’s personal interest even though he might suffer loss or die in doing so. Abram is a great example for us to follow. To fight self-ambition I must be considerate of others! I should want the best for my church family.

 

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Philippians 2:5-8

08 - ‘The mind of Christ’

 

(5)Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

(6)who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

(7)but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

(8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

(NASB)

 

What made Paul joyful? Was it not that the Philippians would be like-minded, one heart and one soul? To be able to do this Paul reminds his readers that this can only be done through lowliness of mind and esteeming others better than ourselves. As we read verses five through eight we can see that Paul gives the believers the ultimate example of whom they should follow and why this should be. Jesus is the perfect example of a person with lowliness of mind and placing others before himself. Now as I said before it all has to do with our attitude.

 

(5)Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

 

What is attitude? As in verse two it also means (PHRONEO) to be mentally disposed. Have you noticed that sometimes we are not well disposed towards something or someone? Because of this we do not want to go “along” and we stubbornly refuse to do what we should. A child doesn’t want to eat his food. A teenager doesn’t want to go on a “stupid” vacation with his family. An adult resists being shown how to properly fix a situation at work. Why do people sometimes act like this? Simply because they are not well disposed.

 

In the Christian life we can also have this attitude of not being well disposed. My wife would love for us to go on a “couples weekend” but we’re not going (I’m not well disposed to her needs). My son really wants me to go to his high school recital but I’m not going (I’m not well disposed to his needs). At church they need a few Sunday school teachers and asked me if I would consider it but I turned down the offer (I’m not well disposed towards my church.) Finally the Holy Spirit has been nudging me to witness to my co-worker but I’ve kept silent (I’m not well disposed towards God).

 

What Paul is teaching his friends in Philippi is that we need to be like Jesus. To think and act like Jesus. We need to see things as the Lord would see them. Our heart should be as our Saviour’s. Remember what Christ said:

 

John 6:38

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

(RSV)

 

If I am to have the attitude of Christ I need to know what it was – and this is it. Having the same thought pattern of my Saviour is desiring not to do MY will but the Father’s. And I simply cannot do this unless I allow Christ to live freely in my heart.

 

Gal. 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

(RSV)

 

So before continuing with your reading you absolutely must ask yourself some very important questions and be ready to be honest. I have seen too many Christians wear masks and “make pretend” or “play church” as I call it. Very few have the courage to face themselves in the mirror and see how they really are. Is it Christ that lives in me? Do I live a life of faith or of the flesh? Have I really been crucified with Christ? Have I given myself to Christ and does each new day bring a renewal of my desire to honour him in all things? If I’m not ready to answer these questions – I’m certainly not ready to be called a disciple of Christ.

 

What Paul will explain is the attitude of Christ as God in verses six and seven. And then speak of his attitude as a man. You will see that in both cases it is the same. This proves that the attitude that I have has nothing to do with my status as a person. I can be just as generous as a poor person as I can be as a rich person. I can be a patient intelligent person as well as a patient simple-minded person.

 

(6)who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

(7)but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

 

Historically these two verses have caused a lot of questioning and theological disputes. I am not going to write about them, there are other books that address this doctrinal debate. We take for granted that Jesus is the LOGOS and the LOGOS was made flesh (John 1:1-14). The LOGOS was “with God” and was also God. The Trinity is a fact but also a mystery and I will leave it at that.

​

What I would like to point out is that in verse six Jesus “existed in the form of God” and in verse seven Jesus “took the form of a bond-servant”. Paul does not make an argument concerning the deity of Christ he also does not make an argument concerning the incarnation. Although these are cardinal doctrines they are not the point he is trying to get across to the Philippians.

 

Paul writes that Jesus existed in the form of God. This is what William Hendriksen wrote in his “New Testament Commentary on Philippians’ (Baker Book House, p. 105): What Paul is saying then, here in Phil. 2:6, is that Christ Jesus had always been (and always continues to be) God by nature, the express image of the Deity. The specific character of the Godhead as this is expressed in all the divine attributes was and is his eternally. (Cf. Col. 1:15,17 also John 1:1; 8:58; 17:24).So Christ who has been eternally God manifests his attitude by doing the following:

 

(6) …did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped

 

Equality (ISOS) means to be similar in amount and kind. What did Christ do with his equality with God? He did not see it as a thing to be grasped (HARPAGMOS) which means a plunder or robbery. So how did he prove that he was ready to set it aside?

 

(7)but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

 

Jesus emptied himself and this brings problems to many. How can God empty himself of who he is? How can God not be God any longer? If God is no longer God how then can the universe keep on functioning? If God is not God who then is God? What we need to notice is that the word “emptied” (KENOO) also means “to make of none effect”. This gives the idea that Christ, as God, willingly set aside his being God for the time that he took on the flesh of man. The Father and the Holy Spirit continued to “sustain the universe” but God – the Son, for a measure of time and a specific reason, set aside his being God and became a man. Paul summarises it this way:

 

Romans 1:1-4

(1)Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God

(2)which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures,

(3)the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

(4)and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

(RSV)

 

Having set aside who he was, Jesus took the form of a bondservant and became a man. This manifests exactly the “attitude of Christ” that we are talking about. This is the attitude that Paul is telling the Philippians to have in their minds. It’s as though Paul is saying the following: “Look at what Christ did! He was God and set aside all of his glory and took the form of a man and not only a man but the least of them – a bondservant!” There can be no greater example of humility than what Christ has done.

 

Now the attitude of Christ as God was not to regard his equality with the godhead. He proved this by taking on the flesh of a man and setting aside his deity. This is what we call the mystery of the incarnation. Once Christ took on flesh he also manifested his attitude as a man:

 

(8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 

Christ obtained the body of man through the incarnation. He was truly a person as you and I are. In all things he was a real person with all the difficulties that this implies. What was his attitude as a person? What is Paul trying to tell the Philippians? Christ humbled (TAPEINOO) himself, which means that he willingly abased himself. He was heavenly and became earthly. He was a spirit and took on flesh. He was God and became a man. So Christ humbled himself and so must the Philippians have this attitude deeply rooted in their hearts. This should not only be for the disciples at Philippi but also for all Disciples of Christ, wherever they are – even today!

 

What does it mean to have a humble attitude? Paul does not leave us in the dark about that – it means to “become obedient”. This word (HUPEKOOS) simply means to be attentively listening, which infers to obey what has been said. This is the key thought that should remain in our minds. “I listen attentively and I obey”. God – the Son obeyed God – the Father and humbled himself and became a man. We, in turn, listen and obey Christ.

 

What was the extent of the obedience of Christ and should this level of obedience become our standard as Disciples of Christ? Obeying is not difficult as long as it appeals to our desires or reasoning. But when it steps out of our frame of thought it becomes another matter doesn’t it! So up to what point did Jesus become an obedient bondservant?

 

(8)… He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 

One may be obedient to the point of death or think they can. It is one thing to think you can do something and another to be willing to do it when time comes. Remember what Peter and the disciples said:

 

Matthew 26:35

Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." And so said all the disciples.

(RSV)

 

We often think of what Peter said but notice that all the disciples agreed with him. Peter failed at the cross, he denied even knowing Christ. In fact only John stayed with Christ until the very end. We can also remember the zeal of Thomas called “the Twin”, whose brave words also fell through when time came to stand up and be counted.

 

John 11:16

Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

(RSV)

 

Paul says that there might be some brave hero that would be willing to lay his life down and die for a just cause.

 

Romans 5:7

Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man--though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die.

(RSV)

 

If a man can humble himself and die for a good cause what’s the “big deal” then with Christ being obedient and also dying? The difference (which is not comparable) between the death of a man for a just cause and the death of Christ lays in these few words:

 

(8) …even death on a cross.

 

The death of men for a good cause has absolutely no measure in comparison to the death of Christ “on the cross”. No man has ever or will ever suffer what the cross brought to Christ. The judgment of the Father of our sins that fell on the shoulders of Christ is simply incomprehensible for our human minds. Christ at the cross became sin and tasted the just judgment in our stead!

 

Romans 8:3,4

(3)For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

(4)in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

(RSV)

 

And also:

 

2 Cor. 5:21

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

(RSV)

 

Christ became sin in his flesh and sin was judged in him. Christ tasted our eternal punishment by being abandoned by the Father and dying at the cross. This is the measure of the obedience of Jesus unto his Father. This is the measure of obedience that Disciples of Christ should be willing to offer to God. In other words it should be limitless and freely offered out of love for our Lord and Savior.

 

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