Greetings to the Church at Philippi
The epistle to the Philippians was written from Rome, where Paul was held prisoner. In spite of his surroundings, this letter is full of encouragement, warmth and affection which shows that the Spirit of God is not bound by circumstances, there is Joy in serving Jesus. Joy does not depend on our feelings so much as our fellowship with our Lord Jesus. He is our Joy and our peace, it is of the Holy Spirit. Paul was anticipating the return of our Lord Jesus and he was concerned that the gospel be preached. The Church at Philippi he founded eleven years before on his second missionary journey.
Phil 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Paul and his beloved Timothy, a young pastor both servants of Jesus. Addressing all the saints of the church of Philippi; saints being separated believers in our Lord jesus, as well as to the bishops and deacons. He greets each personally, as all are important in God's church of believers.
Phil 1:2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
A customary greeting, grace and peace, not from Paul, but from God the Father. Our ministries and callings are of God and not our own. All blessings come from above, we are fellow servants under his wings.
Phil 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Yes, I can understand his words, I thank God for those who partner in our faith, they are a great blessing.
Phil 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Phil 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2)
2 Tim 1:12 ... for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Phil 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
One heart, one spirit, fellowshipping with Paul in his sufferings and with him in preaching the gospel, all through God's grace. We can do nothing of value without him.
Phil 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
God knows how much affection I have for you, it is no secret
The Excellent Life
Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Paul is speaking important words, listen; this prayer is for you, that in your new life in Christ Jesus, that your love may abound more and more and more, there is no end to this new love that has arisen in your heart! The world hasn't changed, but You have, and the world is taking notice, they want what you have and it will be your good pleasure to tell them where it came from. An opportunity to witness the love and grace of Jesus Christ, because people see this wonderful life and love within you.
Phil 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
When another is doing good, approve him or her, let them know you agree with what they say or do. In the world, many oppose the truth and the light; we are children of the light and we are to approve of those things that are from God, these are the excellent things. They could be the first flowers of Spring, or a child saying a prayer, or a great evangelistic outreach. Approve of those things that are excellent from God. We are to be sincere and without hypocrisy in all we say and do, as our Lord, so we are to be. Read Philippians 4:8, for a list of approved things; "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Phil 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Being filled with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, then we shall do his righteousness here on earth. The fruit of the Spirit are found in Galatians 5:22,23; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, these are the character traits approved of God.
More love, more seeking the excellent things of God and being filled with the Spirit, and producing fruit. How blessed are you if you become as Jesus wants you to be, all by his grace, is there any better way?
Furtherance of the gospel
Phil 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Phil 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
Paul was under house arrest in Rome, chained to a guard in shifts. What was the calling of Paul? To preach the gospel to the Gentiles, the non-Jewish people. You can be sure that each guard heard of the purpose of the Lord Jesus coming to die for the sins of the world and to rise from the grave. They were sure to see the Spirit of Christ evidenced in the new life of Paul, who though bound, was free in his spirit. They were to take notice and repeat his words among the palace guards. Later in Paul's epistle he shows that there were Christians among Ceasar's own house because of his witness.
Phil 4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
Phil 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Phil 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Some preached Christ even of envy and strife. Seeking to look better than another, seeking personal glory; debate and strife and name calling. This sounds like many of the Christian chats. Can Jesus be honored from envy and strife? Thankfully, even in the midst of envy and strife, some preach in good will. Have you been in chats of arguing and strife. With many people clamoring and have seen one person posting the word of God? One stands out from the rest, preaching from good will, with love in his heart. Those seeking God are drawn to the one of good will. Those who like to argue join in with the strife makers. Some churches teach against other denominations, a negative sermon, from strife and envy. We need to preach the truth in love.
Phil 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Some preachers spend more time preaching against other preachers, then they do preaching the gospel.
Prov 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Prov 22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
Contention: matstah, debate and strife, perhaps even preaching against the teachings of Paul, as some do today, adding afflictions to Paul by doing this. If we preach to hurt someone, we are not of God. His Spirit is not to destroy, that is of the devil. Jesus came to seek and to save. To encourage and to build the church.
Phil 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Others preach of love, respecting the work of Paul. Paul wrote epistles to the churches while he was under house arrest, he was not defeated in his afflictions, but serving in the Spirit to edify the church. Paul wrote the Books of Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians during his imprisonment in Rome. Paul was only concerned that the gospel be preached. This is the power of God for a new life. (Rom 1:16)
Phil 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Paul was not going to be upset; it was not about him, but the gospel that is important. So long as Christ is preached; whether in mocking pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. A preacher of the gospel rejoices when Christ is preached. If I am no longer able and if I am able to share, I rejoice in seeing others speaking the word of faith. Our preaching is not to make a name for ourselves, but to make His name known in the world and in the church.
Magnify Christ Jesus
Phil 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Phil 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Paul asks for prayer so that no matter what happens, that he would serve Christ without shame and with boldness continue to preach the gospel message, that Christ would be magnified in his body, whether by living or death. For his life is Christ, whether alive in body or dead and to die is gain.
Phil 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
Phil 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
I spoke this verse to my mother as her body was near death. We need not fear death, "to be with Christ is far better," spoke Paul. My mother did not want to leave because she was caring for my dad, who was unable to care for himself. She was at a place where she wanted to continue her work here, yet knowing that the new eternal life was also calling her. Let me say this, God has work for you to do. Do you think you have accomplished all that God has meant for you to do? Some have had such difficult lives that they wish to go to the Lord, yet the Lord has a purpose for them, that they are being equipped for. Perhaps you feel no one cares about you? God does, he has created you for his purpose, keep doing the things of the Lord and you will find this is your purpose.
Phil 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
Phil 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
Phil 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
Are you at a crossroad in your life, not knowing if you wish to continue in the struggles? Do as Paul, keep pressing on and serving others. You be the light to someone in darkness, show them the way to eternal life. Be the hands of Christ Jesus to one who is unable to help themself. Be the love of Christ to the lonely and bitter, keep reaching out to others until the Lord gently reaches down to you and calls you home.
Stand Fast
Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Let your affairs, your way of life match your new life in Christ. What is that? Paul continues; that ye stand fast in one Spirit. We stand on the word of God, his promises, and we trust in him, for he is a God of miracles. We stand together with others in unity, through faith in Jesus because in unity is great strength. We are of one mind, the mind of Christ, working together for the faith of the gospel. It is the gospel that brought us to faith, we guard this word and share it with others. Others will come to twist the word and give you reasons to doubt. You hold on to the truth, don't give in to these with deceiving spirits or spirits of religion.
Phil 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
Remember, satan comes as a roaring lion to frighten you, but he has no teeth. He controls by fear, lies and intimidation. We are to dilgently resist him speaking the word of God, and he will flee. (1Peter 5:8)
Those who oppose you for your faith are opposing Jesus. It is the evidence and proof that they are headed for hell and lest they repent, turn around, they will perish in their sins.
Phil 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Phil 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
There will be those to try and discourage you from your walk with God. Some will hurl abusive words, maybe even physically persecute you. Paul was whipped and stoned, spit upon, yet he continued.
2 Cor 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,...
Keep the faith, you are not alone in your problems. Encourage and help another, but don't be pulled down, stand and follow Jesus.
Gary
Music: Hasse Flute Concerto D Opus 3 "Allegro"
Philippians Chapters
Philippians 1
Philippians 2
Philippians 3
Philippians 4
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