INTRODUCTION
The Occasion of the Epistle
This epistle is a letter of thanksgiving from the Apostle Paul to the Philippians for their practical fellowship (supplies and perhaps a monetary gift – chap. 4:18) which they had sent to him when he was captive in Rome. In writing to the saints at Philippi, Paul took the opportunity to give them an update on his personal circumstances and to report on how the work of the Lord was progressing in Rome. Also, being aware of the persecution that the Philippians were facing on a daily basis, he included an encouraging word to stand fast in their testimony and to continue in the path of faith in spite of the adversity. He also gave them some practical advice on how the assembly could be saved from the enemy’s attempt to destroy it through internal strife.
The Philippians were Paul’s first converts in Europe. We know from the book of the Acts that he made at least three visits to that locality (Acts 16:12-40; 20:1, 3-6)—and every time that he thought of them thereafter, it brought joy to his heart (Phil. 1:4). It is clear from his remarks in the epistle that there existed great affection between him and the Philippians (chap. 1:7 – J. N. Darby Trans.). It is easily the most personal and affectionate epistle that Paul wrote to an assembly.
It is interesting that in writing to the Philippians, Paul does not quote from the Old Testament Scriptures. This may have been because they were mostly converted Gentiles who would not have been familiar with the Scriptures. It is also of note that there is very little, if any, doctrine in the epistle. Nor does he touch on the subject of sin and expiation. Rather, being deeply moved by their love and care, 800 miles from them and bound with a chain, he writes from the fullness of his heart to thank them for their gift and to encourage them in practical matters concerning walking with the Lord. We see from this that even though Paul was in captivity and no longer free to carry on his apostolic ministry among the assemblies, he took every opportunity to minister to his brethren by letter. The coming of Epaphroditus with the gift from the Philippians afforded him such an opportunity. He gave Epaphroditus this letter to take to them on his return trip to Philippi.
This so-called “prison” epistle is a complement of two other “prison” epistles (Ephesians and Colossians) which Paul wrote under divine inspiration while incarcerated in Rome. Falling on either side of this epistle in our Bibles, Ephesians and Colossians both unfold the truth of the Mystery, in its present and future aspects: Whereas, in Philippians, we see a man walking in the good of the truth of the Mystery and speaking from his personal enjoyment of it. Thus, the Philippian epistle gives us a picture of the state of soul that should mark one who knows the truth of the Mystery and lives in the good of it.
Paul’s Inner Life Unveiled—Exhibiting a Normal Christian Experience
This epistle is unique in that it gives us extraordinary insight into Paul’s inner life, in a way in which no other epistle does. In four short chapters, he makes reference to himself about 90 times! From this, we see that he felt free to speak of himself to the Philippians in a way in which one would only do with those who were his closest friends. He knew that they had him in their hearts (Phil. 1:7) and in their prayers (Phil. 1:19) and that they had proved their love to him by giving to him out of their deep poverty—and that more than once (2 Cor. 8:1-2; Phil. 4:15-16). Having this bond with the Philippians, Paul was at liberty to disclose his inner feelings and desires in an extremely open manner and in a way which he does not do with any other company of believers. He writes spontaneously and informally, as a friend pouring out his heart to those who love him. In Paul doing so, we see the experience of a man in Christ living in communion with God and in the enjoyment of his heavenly blessings.
Thus, the epistle gives us an opportunity to examine Paul’s inner thoughts and feelings and to see firsthand what should characterize the normal Christian life. Being permitted to peer into his soul, as this epistle affords us, we find that there is but one thing there—Christ! Christ and His interests were the sum and substance of his life, as he says so aptly in chapter 1:21—“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” J. N. Darby said that in this epistle “the Christian is viewed as in a race, and in that race he is entirely under the power of the Spirit of God; the flesh is not looked at as acting” (Practical Thoughts on Philippians, p. 21). He also said, “The epistle to the Philippians is a pattern of Christian experience, as it ought to be” (Miscellaneous Writings of J. N. Darby, vol. 4, p. 209). Thus, the epistle is the expression of a heart that has found Christ to be “everything” (Col. 3:11).
Christ—God’s “Touchstone”
Christ in glory is God’s “Touchstone;” He looks at everything from that one standpoint. He measures, values, and tries everything we do on earth as it stands in relation to His Son. On a daily basis, God, so to speak, comes to examine our lives. He looks for one thing—the measure in which things are done in relation to Christ. If the things we do are done for Him and for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17, 23), they will stand approved of God and will be rewarded in a coming day (2 Cor. 5:9-10). But, if the things we do don’t meet His approval, they will be rejected and burnt up, and the believer will suffer loss (1 Cor. 3:12-15). The great lesson the judgment seat of Christ teaches us is that whatever is done for Him is precious to God, and all else is valueless—as far as what we carry through into eternity. Knowing this ought to cause every sober Christian to be seriously exercised about using his time and energy rightly, and accordingly, to pray, “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psa. 90:12). In this epistle we see a man who has done just that. He has weighed things in relation to God’s Touchstone, and he is consequently living with right priorities.
An Epistle of Joy
With such a singular and glorious occupation engaging Paul’s heart and mind, we see him rejoicing in spirit—even though he was living in very unfavourable conditions! Being in such a state of soul, we do not find him complaining of his lot in life, nor do we see him asking for a change in his circumstances. Rather, he is seen living with God above it all. And, being absorbed in his Object, he is full of joy. A quick survey of the epistle will indicate that joy is the underlying theme throughout. In fact, the words “joy” and “rejoice” are mentioned 18 times! Hence, it has been rightly called “The Epistle of Christian Devotedness and Joy.”
We learn from this that the secret to having a happy, fruitful, Christian life is to make Christ our sole Object and to dedicate ourselves to furthering His interests on earth. It is sad, but it seems that relatively few Christians have discovered this secret. (We do not mean that the person who makes Christ everything will never have a trouble or a sorrow, but that he will have Him as his dearest Friend to walk with through the ups and downs of life—and thus make it possible to have joy even in the midst of trial.) The epistle, therefore, presents a practical exhibition of the Christian walk as powered by the Holy Spirit. When we realize that these writings were the experience of a prisoner living in disadvantageous conditions, it makes the epistle that much more compelling.
A Wilderness Epistle
This epistle is one of the so-called “wilderness” epistles—1 Corinthians, Philippians, Hebrews, and 1 Peter. That is, the believer is seen on earth under testing, walking in the path of faith with Christ in heaven before him as his goal. A characteristic feature of the “wilderness” epistles is the presence of “ifs” in the text. There are actually two kinds of “ifs” in Scripture which are quite different—the “if” of condition, and the “if” of argument. An “if” of condition assumes that there is a possibility of failure occurring in the path, resulting from a person not being a real believer, or from faith in the righteous breaking down in some way. An “if” of argument, on the other hand, has to do with the writer’s laying down certain facts in his presentation, and then building on those facts to make a certain point. When this is the case, the word “since” could be substituted for “if.”
It has been often said that in Ephesians there are no “ifs” of condition. In that epistle, the saints are not viewed as being tested on earth, but rather, seated together in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 2:6). Colossians, on the other hand, has both: there is an “if” of condition in chapter 1:23 and there are “ifs” of argument in chapters 2:20 and 3:1. Hebrews also has both kinds of “ifs.” This being a wilderness epistle, Paul does not count himself to have attained anything (Phil. 3:12). He sees himself on the road, but not there yet. Christ has laid hold of him, and he is walking the path toward that goal, which is to be with and like Christ.
From certain expressions in the epistle, it is generally gathered that Paul was reaching the close of his two years in captivity in Rome (Acts 28:30). (He had been held captive in Caesarea for two years prior to this for a total of four years – Acts 24:27.) His future at this point lay in one or the other of two things—he could be exonerated before Emperor Nero and set free, or he would be martyred. Scholars say that this was the last inspired epistle of Paul that he wrote to an assembly.
The Theme of the Chapters
Chap. 1—Christ, the purpose of the Christian life (vs. 21).
Chap. 2—Christ, the pattern for Christian life (vss. 5-8).
Chap. 3—Christ, the prize of the Christian life (vs. 14).
Chap. 4—Christ, the power of the Christian life (vs. 13).
Chap. 1—Christ, the motive for living (vs. 21).
Chap. 2—Christ, the model for living (vss. 5-8).
Chap. 3—Christ, the mark for living (vs. 14).
Chap. 4—Christ, the might for living (vs. 13).