“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now”.
“I thank my God for all my remembrance of you, always in all supplication of mine making that supplication for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the interests of the gospel, from the first day until now.”
Philippians. 1:3-5
Notice how thanksgiving and prayer are linked together here: “I thank my God,” “always in all supplication” (Eph. 6:1818Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)). In the prison in Philippi in the early days, Paul and Silas had prayed and sung praises: and now in the prison at Rome, Paul is still doing the same thing. In chapter 4:6 of our Epistle he tells us the secret of that peace we saw in the previous verse: “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Thanksgiving sees the blessings already received, and prayer sees the needs still to be met. And Paul could never think of these dear saints in Philippi without giving thanks for them. The word is not, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (vs. 3). It is, rather, “for all my remembrance of you,” or, “my whole remembrance of you” (vs. 3). It was not only at isolated times he remembered and gave thanks for them, but the whole, complete memory of them, was one that filled him with thanksgiving. Notice how “all” is repeated in these verses: “all my remembrance” (1 Kings 17:1818And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? (1 Kings 17:18)); “always”; “in all my supplication”; “for you all.”
There used to be a beggar in Shanghai who was so busy asking for gifts, that he never took time to thank those who gave to him. The result was that those who generally gave to the beggars, often passed him by. Might we not know more answers to our prayers if we spent more time in thanksgiving? In the days of old, there were those whose “office was to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even” (1 Chron. 23:2828Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God; (1 Chronicles 23:28) & 30). Have we, who know God’s unspeakable gift, less cause for thanksgiving than they? From the very first Sabbath by the river side, when Lydia’s heart was opened, right up to that day, Paul gives thanks for them. How different to Galatia! Not a word of thanksgiving for them: the only church for whom the Apostle had nothing for which to give thanks!
But there was not only thanksgiving: there was supplication also: but that supplication was made with joy. Our dear brother Mr. Lavington, now with the Lord, wrote: “I call your attention to the large place in this Epistle, and in others, which the subject of prayer has with the Apostle, and I make bold to say that in practical Christian life and experience, this is the breath of the Christian. The Apostle was one who, in writing his letters, never wrote (as one has said) with a dry eye: such is his heart for the saints of God. Continually we find also the references to the way his heart is occupied with the Lord, as being poured out to his God and Father, or to the Head of the Church, in prayer, in order that His saints may be maintained, and that those in whom God has begun a good work, may continue in the faith grounded and settled. (Eph. 1:16-2316Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:16‑23); Eph. 3:14-1914For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:14‑19); Col. 2:1-31For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:1‑3)).”
But we must not pass by those two little words: “my God”: “I thank my God for all my remembrance of you.” The Apostle had just said he was the slave of Christ Jesus, which means he belonged to Christ Jesus. Now he speaks of “my God.” When speaking to the heathen on the ship on the way to Rome, he said, “Whose I am, and Whom I serve” (Acts 27:2323For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, (Acts 27:23)). But now, writing to the saints, he says: “my God.” Not only are these words intensely individual, but they also tell of love and nearness. The Apostle loved to use those words: we find them again in chapter 4:19, “My God shall supply all your need.” He thanks “my God” for the Romans, and for Philemon. (Rom. 1:88First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. (Romans 1:8); Philem. 1:44I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, (Philemon 4)). To the Corinthians he wrote, “I fear.... lest my God will humble me among you.” In Philippians 3:88Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8) he speaks of “Christ Jesus my Lord” (ch. 3:8). It is a grand thing to be able to know God as “our own God” (Psa. 67:66Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. (Psalm 67:6)). The voluntary slave in Ex. 216Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. (Exodus 21:6) could say, “I love my Master” (Ex. 21:55And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: (Exodus 21:5)). Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:2828And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. (John 20:28)). How good when we can say, “I am His, and He is mine, forever, and forever!”
We must link verse 5 with verse 3; “I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you.... for your fellowship in the interests of the gospel, from the first day until now.” We have already spoken of the seven times we find fellowship linked with the Philippian saints: but what is fellowship, as used in the New Testament? The Greek word for it comes from the word used for “partners” in Luke 5:1010And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. (Luke 5:10). James and John were partners with Simon in the fishing business. I believe in the New Testament, fellowship always means a relation between persons, based on Christian unity: perhaps “joint participation” is one of the best definitions of the meaning. When Lydia received Paul and his company into her house, she was having joint participation in the gospel: when Paul was preaching in Thessalonica, and the Philippian saints sent him gifts, (Phil. 4:1616For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. (Philippians 4:16)) they were having joint participation in the gospel, or, “fellowship in the gospel” (vs. 5).
Now the Apostle gives thanks for this fellowship in the gospel from the first day until “the now,” the present moment. Sometimes the saints grow weary of sharing in the gospel; adversity comes; evil reports are spread; there are heavy demands at home; and the fellowship in the gospel grows cold. It is generally the poor, like the Philippians, who have that unceasing fellowship in the gospel, that never grows weary. Indeed, Paul could not accept this fellowship in the gospel from the rich saints in Corinth, who were going on badly. See 2 Cor. 11:7-127Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? 8I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. 9And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 10As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. (2 Corinthians 11:7‑12). But what is so precious is that unwearying fellowship, that never loses heart; through evil report and good report; through dark days and bright; through poverty and prosperity: that is the fellowship in the gospel that the Philippian saints had.
You remember David made it a rule that those who went down to the battle, and those who tarried by the stuff, should share alike: they were having joint participation in the war. But gifts are not the only way of showing fellowship in the gospel: there are countless other ways. Epaphras labored fervently in prayer: and so may we. What a cheer an encouraging letter is! Some hold the hats of those preaching in the open air; some help with the singing; some bring friends to the meetings. Love of the gospel, and love of the One who is the theme of the gospel, will devise means to have a share in the interests of the gospel. And, “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Heb. 6:1010For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10)).
But, sad to say, not all in Paul’s day had fellowship in the gospel. There were those who preached Christ even of envy and strife, supposing to add affliction to the Apostle. They probably were real Christians, and they preached Christ: but they had not fellowship in the gospel. There have always been such, and there always will be. Let us take heed when we find even true Christians seeking to add affliction to those who preach the gospel, rather than having fellowship in the gospel. It is so easy to find fault, and those who do so, often know little of the true circumstances. I need hardly add that we cannot have fellowship with what is contrary to the Word. But let us beware lest our criticisms are merely an excuse for our lack of fellowship “in the interests of the gospel.” Let us each one, Beloved, seek more and more to imitate these dear Philippian saints in their fellowship in the interests of the gospel!
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“A worker who is ‘winsome’ will surely win some!”
(Charles G. Baskerville)