Chapter 1 - Joy in Suffering
Introduction
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Things to Notice
-- Paul includes Timothy as sender of this epistle.
-- They are both identified as servants of Christ Jesus.
-- As in Paul's other books, he is not on a first name basis with Jesus. He refers to Jesus by a double or triple name, such as Lord Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus.
-- You can tell that the church is well established because it has overseers and deacons. This letter was written to the church at Philipi ten years after Paul visited it.
-- Paul uses his customary double greeting: Grace for the Greeks and peace for the Hebrews.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may 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.
Paul had a loving relationship with the Philippians and they had a loving relations with him. Notice, he thinks about them and he prays for all of them. Also, notice that this is the first of many times you will see the word "joy."
Paul acknowledges that he is "in chains."
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Paul continues to talk about being in chains. In fact, he says it has helped him advance the gospel. Notice that he mentions the guards he is chained to. That's because they hear the gospel when Paul talk to his vistors because he is allowed to have visitors while he is under house arrest.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
In Verses 15-18, Paul gives the reasons others preach the gospel. Even though some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry and some preach Christ out of love and selfish ambition. Yet, Paul rejoices. Why?
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Why did Paul say, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain"? Can you say the same?
Which does Paul say is far better; to live or to die?
What does Paul say to let us know that as long as we have work to do we will continue to live?
How can the Philippians boast?
Life Worthy of the Gospel
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
What advice does Paul give the Philippians?
What does Paul say about suffering for the Philippians and for himself?
Pay attention to the number of times joy and rejoice appear in this chapter?
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