From Philippians 1-4

Paul’s statements reveal he cares a lot for the people in Philippi and values their work. It’s wonderful when Christian ministers complement faithful audiences in this way. I can feel the love between Paul and his audience. His confidence about God continuing his good work in them and bringing it to completion is predicated on their shared gospel ministry. Paul has said something like this before. Deacons have great confidence in the faith because of their ministry (1 Tim 3.13). Want to grow in confidence that God is going to continue working in your life? Get involved in building his kingdom.

This post is part of my bible in a year series.

Passage and Comments

Paul adheres to the standard conventions of letter writing in the first century with a few Christian modifications.

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Php 1:1–2)

He addresses the Philippians as saints. His most common name for believers. The noun is derived from the word for ‘holy’. He is calling his audience the ‘holy ones’.

Believers are made holy by Jesus.

He makes a point of including the leaders of the church in his introduction. He sends them grace and peace. Importantly they are to come from God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace takes several forms in the NT. I think Paul wants the Lord to grace them in every way. Peace implies there are no hostilities. With God and one another.

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Php 1:3-5)

Paul shares with them what he prays. He does this a fair amount with the audiences of his letters.

He is thankful to God because of their partnership in the gospel.

They play their part in gospel ministry with Paul. The Philippians share the gospel with others and support Paul in his ministry. They have done this from the start.

It is normally true of new believers to be passionate about sharing their faith. The Philippians have continued to do so.

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Php 1:6-8)

Paul has strong feelings of affection towards the Philippians. He believes his feelings reflect Christ’s for them.

He is very confident God will continue his work in their lives and bring it to completion because of their partnership in the gospel.

Paul is speaking about the process of their salvation. They are meant to be involved in it as well (Phil 2.12). But here he acknowledges God’s work all believers depend upon to be saved.

Paul wants to things to get better and better for them.

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Php 1:9–11)

He knows they love one another. He prays they may love one another more and more.

He prays they may grow in knowledge and discernment. So they may tell right from wrong. Gentile believers were reliant on the Holy Spirit to guide them in matters of morality since they were not brought up with the law of Moses.

If they can approve what is excellent (good) they will remain pure and blameless for when Jesus returns to judge (‘day of Christ’). Paul has great expectations for their lives. He believes they will be filled with the fruit (results) of righteousness. The righteousness refers Christ’s ongoing work in their lives.

For Believers

Paul’s statements reveal he cares a lot for the people in Philippi and values their work. It’s wonderful when Christian ministers complement faithful audiences in this way. I can feel the love between Paul and his audience.

His confidence about God continuing his good work in them and bringing it to completion is predicated on their shared gospel ministry. Paul has said something like this before. Deacons have great confidence in the faith because of their ministry (1 Tim 3.13).

Want to grow in confidence that God is going to continue working in your life? Get involved in building his kingdom.

Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2015. All Rights Reserved.