Philippians 1 — Prisoner for Christ
Introduction: The letter to the Philippians was written while Paul was a prisoner in Rome; but he saw the gospel advancing through his circumstance, and he wanted the Philippians to know that their continued partnership was an encouragement for him to press on with the work. Philippi had been the city where an unjust imprisonment of Paul and Silas had been used of God to bring others to Christ to be part of establishing the Philippian church. That past situation in Philippi would have given the believers there a special understanding of why Paul could trust the Lord while in prison at Rome.
NOTE: All scripture passages are from the World English Bible.
A — Paul Included Timothy in His Salutation
Philippians 1 “1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants: 2 Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God whenever I remember you, 4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy, 5 for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Comments: Timothy had been with Paul at the very first visit to Philippi (Acts 16), was sent ahead to Macedonia from Ephesus (Acts 19:22), and was with Paul on the return journey through Philippi (Acts 20:3–6). He was well known to the Philippians, so Paul included him in this warm opening. The salutation was to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons — indicative of church growth with male leadership. The church had started with a group of women at prayer beside a river. Paul wanted the readers to know that whenever he prayed for them he was reminded of the joy he had because of their continuing partnership in furthering the gospel, and his confidence that the Lord who began a good work in them would be faithful to complete it until the return of Jesus Christ.
B — Paul Encouraged the Philippians to Continue in Love
Philippians 1 “7 It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. 9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Comments: Paul wrote that he had the Philippians in his heart both while he was a prisoner, and as he made the defense and confirmation of the gospel, because they all had received the same grace of the Lord that was sustaining him. His prayers were that their love would flourish as they gained knowledge and discernment to seek the things that are excellent to make them sincere and without offense until the return of Christ. Paul also prayed for them to be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which come through Jesus Christ, so their lives would be to the glory and praise of God.
C — Paul Believed His Incarceration Was Used to Spread the Gospel
Philippians 1 “12 Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News; 13 so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; 14 and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will… 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice… 20 that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.”
Comments: Paul wanted the believers at Philippi to know that his imprisonment resulted in the gospel becoming evident to the whole palace guard and to all others around him. Most of the brothers in Rome had become more confident to boldly share the word of God without fear as they observed Paul’s attitude. Some preached Christ from envy and selfish ambition, wanting to promote themselves; but others preached Christ out of love knowing Paul was appointed of God to preach the gospel. Before being taken to Rome, Paul had already told the Ephesian elders that the Spirit had revealed bonds and afflictions awaited him, yet “I don’t hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy” (Acts 20:22–24). His faith gave him boldness to confidently believe that Christ would be magnified in his body whether it brought life or death.
D — To Live Is Christ, and to Die Is Gain
Philippians 1 “21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose. 23 But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. 25 Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith.”
Comments: As long as Paul lived he wanted to serve Christ with absolute dedication; but if he died he knew he would gain the realization of the promised upward call to eternal life with the Lord. Part of that thought process had been settled before he was held prisoner in Rome. 2 Corinthians 5:8–9 records that he was “willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord” yet made it his aim to be well pleasing to him whether present or absent. We can be comforted when we remember that his timing is perfect, and there may be unfinished purposes for us as part of the body of Christ.
E — Stand Firm and Strive for Faith in the Gospel
Philippians 1 “27 Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; 28 and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.”
Comments: Paul wanted the Philippians to maintain within themselves a consistent way of life that would give evidence of the change brought about through the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. They should not let anything from their adversaries frighten them, because adversaries of faith in Christ are proving in themselves that destruction from God is in their future. Even when followers of Christ face suffering in this world, they must realize it has been granted to them to believe in Christ, and to suffer in his behalf — as they had seen in Paul in Philippi, and now heard of him in Rome.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the grace and peace that you have given me through Jesus my Savior, and the good work you have begun in me. I am confident that since you are the one who began that work, you will be faithful to complete it until the return of Jesus Christ. I want my love to grow in knowledge and discernment of your Word so I will approve the things excellent in your eyes to make me sincere and without offense before you until the day of Jesus Christ. I want to be filled with the fruits of righteousness through Christ to the glory and praise of God. If difficulties come into my life which place me among people I may not have otherwise known, may I take any opportunity you present through my circumstances, to share the gospel of Christ. Lord, it is a comfort to me when I remember that your timing is perfect, and you may have unfinished purposes for me as part of the body of Christ, though I know it will be great gain to go home to be with you. So, as Paul determined, I want to make it my aim, whether still in the world or going home to be with my Lord and Savior, to be well pleasing in your sight. All praise to my Savior for the promised blessed hope! Amen.
Published 14 November 2015