Philippians 1.
This epistle is the normal experience of Christian life under the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to see in it a beautiful sample of the truths that enlighten us with rules and motives for our walk. Paul was in prison and the Philippians, who had great affection for him, had sent him help again by Epaphroditus; they had done so before at the beginning of his labors. This time it came to him when in need. Epaphroditus was sick, nigh unto death, in bringing the money to him. Then he felt that the assembly of God was deprived of his watchful care over it. This, judging from the letter, was the occasion the Lord used for the Apostle to write it.
In this epistle, the saints are looked at as on the journey through the wilderness. It was the accomplished work of Christ, known in their souls, that made them strangers and pilgrims, and they are pressing on to be with Him in glory, where full salvation will be theirs with Him.
Verses 1, 2. “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
In this address and salutation with his fellow laborer’s name attached, we may see that it is not an epistle of authority, but of loving fellowship with dear saints in whom he had much confidence, and including the bishops and deacons as caretakers over the assembly, shows that the truth was needed for all.
Verses 3-6. “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; 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.” We may notice here that this prayer of the Apostle is not merely a word of assurance of eternal salvation, but expresses his confidence that the good work in them which is evidently likeness to Christ, will be continued by God in them till they are with and like the Lord in glory, for that is the day of Jesus Christ, when He sees with exceeding joy that they are all fully like Him in His glory (Jude 2424Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 24)).
Verses 7-8. He goes on reminding them of their mutual love with him, and how they had shared through grace with him in his sufferings and work in the gospel. “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because you have me in your heart (margin), inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers (‘with-me’ margin) of my grace, for God is my witness, how greatly I long after you all in the affections of Jesus Christ.” Here the Apostle has them in his heart.
Verses 9-11 tells us what he prayed for: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in (full) knowledge and (all intelligence N. T.): that ye may approve (or try) things that are (more) excellent: that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ: being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
Paul remembered with loving tenderness the way in which they had always acted toward him.
It drew out his desires for them that God who had wrought in them would produce for their own blessing, the perfect, plentiful fruits of that love. He could not be with them, but he wants them to know that they have an inexhaustible source of strength in God Himself.
Verses 12-13. “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me, have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel, so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places.” They could see that it was for Christ that he was suffering, and not as a criminal.
Verses 14-21. “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of goodwill. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds; but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”
Happy servant of the Lord, upheld by divine grace, his spirit rejoices that Christ is preached in whatever way it is done, and those whose selfish jealousy and envy tried to add affliction to his bonds, find nothing in him to answer to their efforts, for in Paul was found the pure desire that Christ should be made known.
The assembly had not then departed so far from its true condition as it has now done, but evils were already springing up. “All seek their own,” says the Apostle, “not the things of Jesus Christ,” and God allowed it to be so during the Apostle’s life, that we might know His thoughts about it, and be guided to the true resources of His grace in such circumstances.
It is when things are going wrong that men of God come into prominence. It must have been trying to Paul to be shut up in prison when he knew the assemblies needed care and shepherding, but he knew that if Satan had put him in prison, God had a purpose in Satan being allowed to do it, and this purpose included the advancement of the truth of the gospel, thus gaining fresh victories over the enemy, and by it the servants of Ceaser knew the truth. Paul counted on the prayers of the saints, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He had the Holy Spirit dwelling in him, and so has each believer, but there is something we also should pray for, and count on God for, “the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ.” What was it for? Hear His words, “According to my earnest expectation and 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, for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” What faith this is! if Christ is glorified, he is content, even if the Lord has laid him aside, he gloried more and more in the sure victory of Christ in which he shared; and in suffering for Him, he did not know when he might be called to lay down his life, it would only be gain for him; if he lived, it was Christ. The work was precious to him, but the Lord Himself was more precious, and now after four years in prison, he knew that the Lord was working out His own purposes in the work of the gospel also. In the sense of this, Paul decides as to his own fate; without thinking what Caesar might do, he was looking at what the Lord would do. Paul knew that Christ loved the assembly, therefore, if he was needed for the assembly he would be spared to minister to it. So he reasons and writes.
“Verses 22-26. But if I live in the flesh (is my lot), this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not, for I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ: which is far better. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you, and having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.” But he does not forget to remind them that they too should be careful about their behavior.
Verses 27-28. “Only let your conversation (or conduct) 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; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries; which to them is a token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.” They were to be of one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, and they were to remember that however loud the lion might roar against them, God Himself was for them above it all. They could expect rejection:
Verses 29-30. “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake: having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” This proclaimed a terrible judgment on the persecutors; but to those persecuted for Christ’s sake, it was a token of salvation and that of God. It was given to them, where accepted it always brings joy. It was a further and a precious portion in suffering with Christ and for Christ, and communion with His faithful servant in suffering for His sake, united them more closely in spirit in Him.