Philippians 1
Last time, we had a brief introduction to Philippi and the start of the church in the city. Now we will get into the text itself. I am using the New English Translation (NET).
From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! (Phil 1:1-2)
This is one of the few letters in which Paul doesn’t argue for his apostolic authority. That is a sign of the close relationship he has with the Philippians. The letter is addressed to “all the saints” but we shouldn’t think of these as a special class of Christians. All followers of Jesus are saints, whether we feel like it or not. The word basically means holy ones, not in the sense of moral perfection, but in the sense of being set apart. Paul sends a greeting of “grace and peace.” Peace (shalom) is one of the main themes of the Old Testament and grace plays a similar role in the New Testament.
I thank my God every time I remember you. I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God’s grace together with me. For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. (Phil 1:3-11)
Ancient letters often included a thanksgiving section. Paul takes that pattern and expands it with theological meaning. We can see in this passage the deep affection he has for the Philippians. He really loves these people. That doesn’t mean that they are perfect. He states “the one who began a good work in you will perfect it.” In a sense we are all works in progress. We learn in this section that Paul is in prison. We do not know what prison. The options are Caesarea, Ephesus and Rome. The details are not important, what is important is that Paul is thankful from a place of suffering. Paul’s prayer is that “your love may abound even more and more in knowledge.” Often we contrast love and knowledge but that is not how Paul sees it. They should inform each other.
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel: The whole imperial guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the sake of Christ, and most of the brothers and sisters, having confidence in the Lord because of my imprisonment, now more than ever dare to speak the word fearlessly.
Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment. What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. (Phil 1:12-18)
It seems easier to be thankful when things are going good but Pauls shows another way. Paul is thankful because he is in prison. It is not that he enjoys suffering but he sees this as an opportunity to share the gospel. He has access to people that he wouldn’t normally have and he is taking advantage of it. He is also thankful for people who are preaching the gospel, even from bad motives. Even if they have ill will toward Paul, the gospel is the gospel and people are hearing the message.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, or I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer: I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it is more vital for your sake that I remain in the body. And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith, so that what you can be proud of may increase because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you. (Phil 1:18-26)
Paul’s joy is built on a foundation of hope. Hope is a confidence that what is experienced in the moment is not all that there is. Something better is coming. Paul knows that can happen in this life but he also looks beyond this life. This puts Paul into an interesting position. In one way, he would like to leave this life as that would bring him into the presence of Jesus. On the other hand, he knows there is still a need for him to help and support Christians such as the Philippians. Ultimately, he puts the needs of others before himself and sees his present ministry as more important than him enjoying paradise.
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that—whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent—I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation—a sign which is from God. For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing. (Phil 1:27-30)
Protestants often contrast faith and works, seeing faith as far more important than works. That may be true for salvation and yet how we live is still very important. Paul is thankful for their faith but he also encourages them to “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Paul is doing that himself with his conduct in prison and expects the Philippians to do the same thing.
Discussion Questions
- Do you consider yourself to be a saint? Why or why not?
- What are you thankful for in your life right now?
- Are you going through a difficult time in the moment? Does that make it more difficult to be thankful?
- How would you respond to Paul’s dilemma of wanting to be with Jesus but seeing the need for ministry?
- What kind of Christian conduct does the world need to see?
