Wednesday in the Word

what the Bible means and how we know

Philippians

10 Philippians 4:1-23 Rejoice in the Lord

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10 Philippians 4:1-23 Rejoice in the Lord - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Paul concludes his letter wrapping him up major themes of embracing the gospel individually and striving toward unity around that common belief and thanking them for their support and partnership in proclaiming the gospel.

Review

Paul wrote this letter during his 1st Roman imprisonment, which would place in somewhere around 60-62 AD.  The Philippians have sent him a gift of financial support. Paul and the Philippians are on good terms and they have a warm and caring relationship.  As a church they are basically doing well.  Paul is writing this letter 1) to thank them for their generosity in sending the gift; 2) assure them that he is doing well even though he is a prisoner and 3)  to encourage them to persevere in and live out their faith.

1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.  2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.  3Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.- Philippians 4:1-3 ESV

  • 4:1 is his summary and conclusion of chapter 3.
  • “my joy and my crown” – Paul’s crowning glory and joy will be standing before Christ in glory with the Philippians beside him because they have persevered in the faith.
  • “agree in the Lord” – Paul means the same thing as be of the same mind from chapter 2: Let your common faith in the gospel unite you.
  • These women have played an important role in furthering the gospel. If they were arguing over where to place the coffee, Paul would probably not have addressed them. When those in leadership disagree it can fracture the church.
  • We do not know who Paul means by “true companion”.

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;  6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.  – Philippians 4:4-9 ESV

  • While at first reading this seems like a random list of good ideas with no theme, I think the theme is unity and it relates directly to 4:1-3.
  • Paul has been urging the entire church to pursue a loving self-sacrifice to each other and here is urging them to relate to all people with a gentle forbearance.
  • Paul is suggesting that the key to interpersonal peace is internal peace.
  • The more confident we are that God is in charge, and knows what is best, the more we can let go of fighting for our rights and demanding our way.
  • The more we rejoice in the Lord, the more likely it is that we will be content whatever our circumstances and able to show forbearance to others.

10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.  11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  13I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.  15And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.  16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.  17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.  18I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.  19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  20To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.  21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.  22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.  23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. – Philippians 4:10-23 ESV

  • In closing Paul thanks them for their financial gift, being careful to explain he is not criticizing them for not sending the gift sooner (4:10).
  • He also wants them to know money is not his chief concern (4:11-12).
  • He can face any circumstance (do all things) — whether feast or famine — because he trusts in the Lord (4:13).
  • Paul rejoices because they have so embraced the gospel that they want to support his ministry (4:14-17).

Paul’s overall theme in this letter: Pour trust in Jesus Christ.  The more you stand firm in the gospel, the more the other struggles of your life will fall into perspective.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Previous: 09 Philippians 3:12-21 Understanding maturity

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

09 Philippians 3:12-21 Understanding maturity

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09 Philippians 3:12-21 Understanding maturity - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

What do you do when you try harder and still struggle with sin?  That’s the question Paul answers in Philippians 3:12-31.  In this section, Paul clarifies what he means by perfection and the goal of the Christian life.

Review

Paul wrote this letter during his first Roman imprisonment (60-62 AD).  The Philippians have sent him a gift of financial support. Paul and the Philippians are on good terms and they have a warm and caring relationship.  As a church, they are basically doing well.  Paul is writing this letter 1) to thank them for their generosity in sending the gift; 2) assure them that he is doing well even though he is a prisoner and 3)  to encourage them to persevere in and live out their faith.

Passage

In Philippians 3, Paul shifted to a new but related topic: warning them not to follow the Judaizers.  The Judaizers were Jewish Christians who believed that you had to keep the law of Moses in order to be a true believer.  After saying in 3:8-11 that he counts all his personal accomplishments, his pedigree and his law keeping as loss in order to gain faith in Christ and to obtain the resurrection from the dead he says:

12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. – Philippians 3:12-21 ESV

  • The “this” in 3:12 refers back to “the resurrection from the dead” in 3:11.
  • There is both a future sense and a present sense to the resurrection.  The future sense is what we call glorification: when our physical bodies will be transformed at the second coming of Christ.
  • The present sense is the fact that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us now, to mature and strengthen our faith.
  • The greek word “perfect” does not mean flawless or without blemish.  Rather it means to have arrived at its intended goal and become that which it is suppose to be.
  • Paul is clarifying that he does NOT believe we have the power to live a perfectly obedient life now (3:12; 3:13; 3:14).
  • He uses the metaphor of an athlete running a race, and keeping his eyes focused on the finish line.
  • Notice throughout chapter 3 that Jesus Christ is central to everything.
For more detail and explanation, please listen to the podcast.

Next: 10 Philippians 4:1-23 Rejoice in the Lord

Previous: 08 Philippians 3:1-11 Count it all loss

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

08 Philippians 3:1-11 Count it all loss

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08 Philippians 3:1-11 Count it all loss - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

With chapter 3 of Philippians, Paul begins a new but related topic.  While his major concern is still that the Philippians sincerely embrace the gospel and so find eternal life, he now warns them against the false teaching of the Judaizers. While warning against legalism, Paul explains his view of his own “accomplishments” under the law.

Review

Paul is imprisoned in Rome around 60-62 AD, waiting to see whether he will be released or executed.  The Philippians church has generously sent him financial support.  Paul is writing this letter to thank them and send them news.

Paul had 3 purposes in writing this letter

  • to express his joy that their faith has led them to support him financially;
  • to encourage them to live lives of obedient persevering faith;
  • to update them on his circumstances.

He expressed his gratitude for their faith that led them to support him financially.  And, he prayed that they would have a genuine faith that manifests itself in wisdom which leads them to love one another. In spite of his circumstances, he rejoiced that the gospel was progressing even though he was not free to proclaim it himself.

In this letter he has been encouraging them to extend self-sacrificing love and patience to each other.  They are to flee rivalry and conceit, and consider the needs of others as more significant than their own interests.  They are to have unity around their shared belief in the gospel, as they strive to embrace the gospel that will lead them to have one mind.  He wants their common hope and faith to bring them together in spite of the many ways they might disagree.

Passage

Chapter 3 begins the second major section of the body of the letter.

1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.  2Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.  3For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh–  4though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:  5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;  6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.  7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ  9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith–  10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. – Philippians 3:1-11 ESV

  • When Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice, he’s saying, I want you to so value the hope of the gospel that you rejoice no matter the circumstances.
  • Rejoice in the Lord – Even though you are facing hardship, rejoice in what the Lord Jesus is doing for you.  Find comfort and hope in what the Lord has done for you.
  • The more we rejoice in the Lord, the less likely we are to be taken in by counterfeits.
  • The Judaizers taught that to follow Christ you must also keep the Law of Moses.
  • The Judaizers consider themselves the true people of God because they follow the law of Moses but Paul calls them “dogs,” outside the people of God.
  • The Judaizers believe they are for good by enlightening the Gentiles but Paul calls them workers of evil.
  • The Judaizers see themselves as the true circumcision but Paul calls them the false circumcision.
  • By contrast, followers of Christ boast in Jesus and put no confidence in works of human hands.
  • Using himself as an example, Paul says he had all the advantages of serious law-keeping and yet he counts them as a loss because his accomplishments fooled him into thinking he did not need a savior.
  • Faith in Christ makes him right with God in a way law-keeping could never accomplish.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 09 Philippians 3:12-21 Understanding maturity

Previous: 07 Philippians 2:14-30 Not running in vain

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

07 Philippians 2:14-30 Not running in vain

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07 Philippians 2:14-30 Not running in vain - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Paul concludes this first section of the body of the letter by again encouraging them to persevere in the faith and telling them of 3 ways he hopes to communicate with them.

Review

Paul is imprisoned in Rome around 60-62 AD, waiting to see whether he will be released or executed.  The Philippians church has generously sent him financial support.  Paul is writing this letter to thank them and send them news.

Paul had 3 purposes in writing this letter

  • to express his joy that their faith has led them to support him financially;
  • to encourage them to live lives of obedient persevering faith;
  • to update them on his circumstances.

In chapter 1, he expressed his gratitude for their faith that led them to support him financially and he told them he is praying for their spiritual health. He prayed that they would have a genuine faith that manifests itself in wisdom which leads them to love one another and that they would persevere in this faith until the end. In spite of his circumstances, he rejoiced that the gospel was progressing even though he was not free to proclaim it himself.

In this letter he has been encouraging them to extend self-sacrificing love and patience to each other.  They are to flee rivalry and conceit, and consider the needs of others as more significant than their own interests.  They are to have unity around their shared belief in the gospel, as they strive to embrace the gospel that will lead them to have one mind.  He wants their common hope and faith to bring them together in spite of the many ways they might disagree.

He encouraged them to should work out their salvation with fear and trembling.  Paul is not simply urging them to be nicer and behave better.  He’s confronting them with the issue that embracing their salvation has implications for how they live and conduct themselves.

Passage

14Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.  17Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.  18Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.  – Philippians 2:14-18 ESV

  • In 2:15, Paul is alluding to the Deuteronomy 32:5: “They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation.”
  • In Deuteronomy 32, Moses is referring to the event record in Numbers 14:1-4 when the Hebrews grumbled against the Lord and wanted to return to Egypt.
  • Paul encourages the Philippians to be the opposite of the Hebrews in Numbers.
  • Moses says, the Israelites who grumbled in the wilderness were blemished, stained with their corruption, because they did not faithfully follow God.  Paul wants the Philippians to be without flaw, without blemish, in order that they may be blameless and innocent.
  • Moses says the rebellious Israelities showed that they were not the children of God.  Paul wants the Philippians to show that they are the children of God.
  • Moses calls the Israelities a crooked and twisted generation.  Paul wants the Philippians to be without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.
  • Paul’s preaching would be in vain if on the day of judgment the Philippians have rejected the gospel.
  • Paul suffered many trials to establish their church and teach them the faith.  In that sense you could say he was poured out as a drink offering for their faith.
  • Talking of his ministry is the transition to the next paragraph.

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.  20For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.  21For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.  22But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.  23I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,  24and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.  25I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,  26for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.  27Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.  28I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.  29So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,  30for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. – Philippians 2:19-30 ESV

Paul hopes to communicate with the Philippians 3 different ways.

  1. He is sending Epaphroditus with this letter. They can read the letter and Epaphroditus will bring them other news.
  2. Paul intends to send Timothy a bit later with news of the outcome of his trial.  Depending on the route, you had to cover 700 to 1,200 miles to travel between Rome and Philippi.  A one way trip by foot would take about 6 weeks to 3 months, depending on the route, whether you travelled by sea or land, the weather at a time of the year, and whether you walked or rode a horse or donkey, etc.
  3. Paul hopes visit them in person. The New Testament does not tell us whether Paul visited Philip again, but tradition claims that he did.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next:  08 Philippians 3:1-11 Count it all loss

Previous: 06 Philippians 2:12-13 Work out your salvation

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

06 Philippians 2:12-13 Work out your salvation

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06 Philippians 2:12-13 Work out your salvation - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Philippians 2:12-13 is one of Paul’s most famous statements and it’s one we forget to place in the context of the letter.  At first reading, it looks like Paul is highlighting a paradox of YOU work out your salvation because GOD is working in you.   But in context, I think Paul is still concerned that the Philippians are living their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel (1:27) and are motivated to do so for the right reasons.

Review

Paul is imprisoned in Rome around 60-62 AD, waiting to see whether he will be released or executed.  The Philippians church has generously sent him financial support.  Paul is writing this letter to thank them and send them news.

Paul had 3 purposes in writing this letter

  • to express his joy that their faith has led them to support him financially;
  • to encourage them to live lives of obedient persevering faith;
  • to update them on his circumstances.

In chapter 1, he expressed his gratitude for their faith that led them to support him financially and he told them he is praying for their spiritual health. He prayed that they would have a genuine faith that manifests itself in wisdom which leads them to love one another and that they would persevere in this faith until the end. In spite of his circumstances, he rejoiced that the gospel was progressing even though he was not free to proclaim it himself.

Philippians 1:27 begins the first major section of the body of the letter which continues through the end of chapter 2. Paul urges them to stand firm in the face of persecution and remain united in their thinking, purposes and faith. He wants them to be unified around their fellowship in the gospel and to have the kind of unity that results from being committed to the same things.  Paul used Jesus has an example of this humble attitude who although he had the rights and authority of God, Jesus voluntarily gave up those rights to become our servant and die on our behalf.

12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. – Philippians 2:12-13 ESV

  • Philippians 2:12 begins the conclusion of this section.  (“Therefore”)
  • Paul is concerned about their motivation to pursue the implications of the gospel.  He wants them to be motivated by fear of God, not fear of Paul.
  • We need to both fear God (take Him seriously) and trust in His grace.  He is my creator and He holds my life in His hands, but He is also gracious, merciful and trustworthy.
  • To “work out your salvation” is in the context of conducting your life in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in one spirit, striving to be self-sacrificing like Jesus and holding fast to the word of life.
  • We are working out our salvation as we believe in that salvation more firmly and live more consistently as if that salvation is true.
  • We have an interpretative choice to make: who is doing the willing and the working?  Us or God?   Since the near context places the emphasis on fearing God and the far context emphasizes God will bring us to maturity (1:6), I lean toward God doing both the willing and the working.
  • RC Sproul uses this analogy to explain this concept.Imagine a father and child walking hand in hand along a cliff path.  The father is holding tightly to the child’s hand as the walk and the child is holding tightly to the father’s hand.It is right and proper to encourage and admonish the child to hold on tightly.  From the child’s perspective, that is what she must do.  Her task is to cling to the father’s hand.But the reality is, the father will never let go.  And unlike an earthly father whose fingers may slip, our heavenly father will never lose his grip.  If I stumble and start to fall, he may left me skin my knee to teach me something, but he will never let me plunge over the cliff.So I strive for to hold tightly or to work out my salvation, as I do this underlying my choices and my actions and all my efforts is the certain hope that though I may fail today in this moment, I will not fail in the long run. I will cross the finish line because God is going to see to it that I do.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 07 Philippians 2:19-30 Not running in vain

Previous: 05 Philippians 2:5-11 Have this mindset

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

05 Philippians 2:5-11 Have this mindset

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05 Philippians 2:5-11 Have this mindset - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Philippians 2:5-11 is traditionally associated with the doctrine of the Trinity.  However,  I think the context suggests that Paul’s main point is not to teach the doctrine of the Trinity.  From an interpretative standpoint, I believe the context suggests that Paul intends to teach something about unity and our attitude towards other believers, and he uses Christ as an example to make that point. If we also learn something about the Trinity, that is icing on the cake.

Review

Paul imprisoned in Rome around 60-62 AD, waiting to see whether he will be released or executed.  The Philippians church has generously sent him financial support.  Paul is writing this letter to thank them and send them news.

Paul had 3 purposes in writing this letter

  • to express his joy that their faith has led them to support him financially;
  • to encourage them to live lives of obedient persevering faith;
  • to update them on his circumstances.

In chapter 1, he expressed his gratitude for their faith that led them to support him financially and he told them he is praying for their spiritual health. He prayed that they would have a genuine faith that manifests itself in wisdom which leads them to love one another and that they would persevere in this faith until the end. In spite of his circumstances, he rejoiced that the gospel was progressing even though he was not free to proclaim it himself.

Philippians 1:27 the first major section of the body of the letter which continues through the end of chapter 2. Paul urges them to stand firm in the face of persecution and remain united in their thinking, purposes and faith. He wants them to be unified around their fellowship in the gospel and to have the kind of unity that results from being committed to the same things.

Philippians 2:5-11 is sometimes referred to as “the Christ Hymn” because it has a poetic structure.  It is a famous passage, but we sometimes lose how it functions in the context of this exhortation.

Two main interpretative options

5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:5-11 ESV

  • There is much debate about the details of this passage. (What does he mean by “form of God”? In what sense was he equal with God? How did he make himself nothing?  What does it mean to be in the likeness of men? etc.)
  • However, there is widespread agreement that Paul’s main point is that we should have the same humble attitude that we see in Jesus.

For each of these problematic phrases, the debate centers around two main options depending on whether you understand Paul to be teaching something about the Trinity or not.  Paul could mean:

  1. The pre-existent Christ before he was a man was equal with God in his being and essence;
  2. Or the man Jesus was the perfect, complete representation of God; he was equal with God in the sense that he has the same authority and the same character and the same values and so forth.

We are not asking which option is theologically true.  Both statements are true.  The question is: which one does Paul mean in this context?

If Paul means the first option, he would be saying: The pre-existent Christ submitted to a two-part humbling. First while he was still in the essential form of God, he willingly emptied himself by becoming a man.  Then, though he still had the authority of God, he humbled himself again while as a man to become even lower.  He became a servant

If Paul mean means the second option, he would be saying, the man Jesus submitted to a single humbling.  As a man, he lowered himself to take the role of the servant.

Notice that both options agree about Jesus experience as a man and that Paul’s main point is his experience as a man.

Grammar helps

Consider this sentence: “Walking to the store, I found a dollar on the sidewalk.”   The main clause is “I found a dollar on the sidewalk because it stands alone as a complete thought.  “Walking to the store” is a participle that modifies the main clause.  It describes the circumstances in which I found the dollar.

Consider these two sentences:  “Funny thing is, being a democrat I voted for Donald Trump.” or “Naturally, being a democrat, I voted for Hilary Clinton.”

In both cases I have this participle phrase “being a democrat”.  Both cases modify my vote.  But the connection between them is different.  In first example it means in spite of the fact that I am a democrat I voted a certain way.  In the second example, it means because I am a democrat I voted a certain way.   Clues in the context explain the connection.

Philippians 2:5-11 contains 3 main clauses and 3 participle phrases.

Here are the 3 main clauses (these are the clauses like my example I found a dollar on the sidewalk)

  1. 2:6 Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped
  2. 2:7 but rather Jesus made himself nothing
  3. 2:8 Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death

The other phrases modify these main clauses (these are like my example while walking to the store)

  1. 2:6 being in the form of God
  2. 2:7 being in the likeness of men
  3. 2:8 being found in human form

The 3 main clauses give us a clear picture of Paul’s main thought: Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.  Jesus made himself nothing.  Jesus humbled himself and died in our place.

No matter how you understand the modifying participle phrases, we see an essential relationship between Jesus being a servant and Jesus being a man.  You can’t be the kind of servant Jesus was without being a man.

In 2:9-11 that God goes on to exalt Jesus not merely for who he is (the incarnation of God) but especially for what he has done.

Paul’s main point in context then is:  If Jesus the Lord and master sacrificed himself for us, than that is the attitude we should strive to have toward each other.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 06 Philippians 2:12-13 Work out your salvation

Previous: 04 Philippians 1:27-2:4 Stand firm in one Spirit

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

04 Philippians 1:27-2:4 Stand firm in one Spirit

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04 Philippians 1:27-2:4 Stand firm in one Spirit - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Philippians 1:27 begins the body of the letter.  In this section in which Paul urges his readers to live a life worthy of the gospel.  Living such a life does not mean that you will live a perfect life. Rather if we actually believe the gospel is true, we now see the world differently and, we begin to view some things as right, proper and good, and begin to view other things as wrong, selfish and evil.  And we choose accordingly.

Review

Around 60-62 AD, Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and was waiting to learn whether he will be released or executed.  The Philippian church  generously sent him financial support.  Paul wrote this letter to thank them and send back news to them.

Paul had 3 purposes in writing this letter

  • to express his joy that their faith has led them to support him financially;
  • to encourage them to live lives of obedient persevering faith;
  • to update them on his circumstances.

In 1:1-11, we saw the first 2 purposes. Paul expressed his gratitude for their faith that led them to support him financially.  He prayed that they would have a genuine faith that manifests itself in wisdom which leads them to love one another, and that they would persevere in that faith until the end.

In 1:12-26 we saw the third purpose.  Paul said, he rejoiced that the gospel was going forward in spite of his circumstances.  The gospel was advancing in 2 ways:

  1. The gospel was spreading through the elite Roman guard as they took turns guarding him and hearing him teach.
  2. Others had  started proclaimed the gospel while Paul was imprisoned, some out of good motives and some out of selfish motives.

The introductory remarks end with 1:26 and 1:27 begins the first section of the body of the letter.  This section continues through the end of chapter 2.

27Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,  28and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.  29For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,  30engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.  2:1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,  2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 1:27-2:4 ESV

  • 1:27 is the thesis statement or main point of this section.
  • Saving faith is not a theological test that you can forget once you turn in your paper.  It is a belief that should change your life.
  • Some of the choices we make conform to and reflect the implications of the gospel.  We would say those choices are worthy of it.
  • Some of the choices we make are contradictory to the values, principles and applications of the gospel. Those choices are not worthy of the gospel.
  • This relationship between belief and lifestyle does NOT mean we will live a perfect life, without sin or failure.
  • Paul urges them to stand firm in the face of persecution and remain united in their thinking, purposes and faith.
  • Paul talks about unity because it was an issue his readers were struggling with at the time.
  • He wants them to be unified around their fellowship in the gospel and to have the kind of unity that results from being committed to the same gospel.
  • Unity does not mean sameness.  Our goal is oneness not sameness.  We can be diverse and be unified.
  • Christ unifies us, not by making us the same, but by teaching us in our diversity to follow the same gospel.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 05 Philippians 2:5-11 Have this mindset

Previous: 03 Philippians 1:12-26 To Live is Christ

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

03 Philippians 1:12-26 To live is Christ

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03 Philippians 1:12-26 To live is Christ - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

What are we to make of Paul’s joy that selfishly ambitious teachers are proclaiming the gospel?  And, what can we learn from his famous statement “to live is Christ, to die is gain”?

Review

Paul imprisoned in Rome around 60-62 AD, waiting to see whether he will be released or executed.  The Philippians church has generously sent him financial support.  Paul is writing this letter to thank them and send back news to them with Epaphroditus, the one who brought the gift to Paul.

Paul had 3 purposes in writing this letter

  • to express his joy that their faith has led them to support him financially;
  • to encourage them to live lives of obedient persevering faith;
  • and the one we’ll see in 1:12-26 to update them on his circumstances.

In 1:1-11 we have seen the first two purposes.  Now in 1:12 he turns to his own circumstances.

He has expressed his gratitude for their faith that led them to support him financially and he has told them he is praying for their spiritual health.  He has prayed that they would have a genuine faith that manifests itself in wisdom which leads them to love one another and that they would persevere in this faith until the end.

Passage

12I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,  13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.  14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  15Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.  16The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.  17The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.  18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,  19for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,  20as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.  21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.  24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.  25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,  26so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. – Philippians 1:12-26 ESV

Paul says, contrary to expectations, his imprisonment has advanced the gospel two ways:

  1. Philippians 1:12-13 – The imperial or praetorian guard has heard the gospel through being chained to him.
  2. Philippians 1:14 – others have started proclaiming the gospel in Paul’s absence.
  3. Two kinds of people are inspired by Paul’s absence: those who are preaching out of rivalry and those who preach from good will.
  4. As he writes this letter, Paul’s future is uncertain.  He may be released or he may be executed.
  5. Paul believes he will be released from prison, not because he’s too important to be executed but because he believes God has more work for him to do in this life.
  6. His famous statement “1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” is written in that context: whether he is executed or released, it is a good outcome.

Paraphrase

I rejoice that the gospel is advancing in spite of my chains.  And I will continue rejoicing because I know that soon I will be freed from these chains.  Your prayers for my release will be heard and the Spirit of Christ will work on my behalf. Do I say this because I think God would never let me be executed?  Not at all. My belief that I will be freed is in keeping with my more general belief that I will not be put to shame in anything.  I will never be ashamed that I followed Christ and proclaimed his message.  That may seem an odd thing to say for someone who has been shamefully imprisoned.  But I will continue to proclaim the gospel and whatever happens to my body will not be shameful, but will continue to bring exaltation to Christ.  If I live on this will exalt Christ. If I am executed this will exalt Christ.  As far as I’m concerned either option is desirable.  If I live on, this will be an opportunity to continue to serve Christ by serving his people.  If I am executed, this will be to my benefit as I will be with Christ sooner.  If God were to leave the choice to me?  Which would I choose?  It would be so much better for me personally to depart and be with Christ, but I know that it would be better for you if I remain and Since it is better for you that I stay, I think God will grant me to live on a while longer so that I may return to you again and encourage you and help your faith mature and bring you joy.

Application

What are we to make of Paul’s joy that selfishly ambitious teachers are proclaiming the gospel?

  1. Paul is willing to suffer greatly to give the gift of hearing the gospel to others.  It’s more important that we proclaim the gospel than that we solve world hunger or end poverty, for example.  What can you offer someone that is better than the way to find eternal life? Thus Paul can rejoice even when the gospel is proclaimed for the wrong reasons.
  2. Being in the leadership spotlight offers many temptations to start valuing the spotlight more than the proclaiming the gospel.  We should humbly realize that all of us may be doing the right things for the wrong reasons.
  3. We should not be so quick to judge the labors of others.  God can and does work through our flawed efforts.
  4. Similarly, we should not harshly judge our own efforts. God can work through flawed, “not-so-great” efforts.

What can we learn from his famous statement “to live is Christ, to die is gain”?

  1. Many of us might say: ” To live is Christ, to die is hard.”  Others might say: “To live is hard, to die is gain.”
  2. Granted life and death are hard, but ultimately we will find meaning, purpose and joy in both because of Jesus Christ.
  3. Suffering is an opportunity to learn and grow in faith, even though it is hard.
  4. To be able to rejoice in my possible impending death shows I understand the gospel in a real and practical way.
  5. Happiness is the feeling of euphoria that results when good things happen.  Joy is that sense of satisfaction in knowing good will result.  Joy is closer to hope than to happiness.
  6. God loves us too much to change our circumstances without changing our sinful hearts.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 04 Philippians 1:27-2:4 Stand firm in one Spirit

Previous: 02 Philippians 1:9-11 Paul’s prayer

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

02 Philippians 1:9-11 Paul’s prayer

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02 Philippians 1:9-11 Paul’s prayer - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Paul’s opening prayer in Philippians reflect what he hopes and confidently expects God to do in the lives of his readers and it introduces the main theme of his letter. From this short prayer,  we can learn what we ought to most want for ourselves and for each other.

Review

When Paul founded the church at Philippi, he was beaten and thrown in jail.  The jailer and a merchant named Lydia became believers during Paul’s visit and formed the core of the new church there.

Philippi was a Roman colony, its citizens were largely roman and proud of it.  There was little Jewish influence.  The Philippian church embraced Paul’s ministry and his gospel and almost immediately begin to support him financially of their own free will.

Around 60-62 AD, Paul is once again in prison, this time in Rome. The Philippians have sent him a financial donation and news through Epaphroditus.  Paul is sending Epaphroditus back to them with this letter.

Paul started his letter by expressing his joy and gratitude for the what he sees God doing in the lives of the Philippians. Philippians 1:3-8 focused on his gratitude.  Philippians 1:9-11 – focuses on what he’s praying for them.

Passage

9And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. – Philippians 1:9-11 ESV

In many ways, this short prayer is the theme of the letter. Paul’s main point is choose life by loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him.

  •  In this context, love is not primarily a warm fuzzy feeling that we have toward each other more often.
  • Love is a choice that we make based on how we understand the world.
  • The knowledge and discernment in has in mind involves coming to know who God is, who Jesus Christ is and what Jesus has done for us.
  • One of the results of this knowledge is that we see each other differently.
  • Approving is a choice based on what we believe to be true.
  • Wisdom is learning to separate the essential  from the nonessential, the valuable from the futile, and the worthwhile from the worthless.
  • As we increasingly learn to approve was is excellent, it reveals our faith is sincere and without stumbling and our lives are marked by being filled with the “fruit” that comes from living wisely and choosing well.
  • Everything Paul is praying for here — knowledge, love, sincere faith, fruit of righteousness — is a gift of God.

Content of the Knowledge

The “knowledge” Paul wants them to have is a genuine understanding of the gospel.  What is the gospel?

  • When we rebelled, we cut ourselves off from the source of life (God) and we are stuck with death.
  • Death is not just the end of biological life; it is all the tragedy, futility, and brokenness we experience now.  Life is the opposite of death; atendency toward good in all of human existence.
  • Life automatically and inevitably flows from holiness.  Death automatically and inevitably flows from sin.
  • God is the sole source of life, because He alone can give holiness.
  • When we rebelled, we cut ourselves off from the source of Life (God) and we became prisoners of sin and death.
  • The rebellion itself is wrong and deserves punishment.  Until God’s justice is satisfied, He will not grant Life.
  • Justification is the forgiveness of our debt to justice which qualifies us to receive Life.  To be justified is to be in a position where God’s justice is satisfied.
  • Justification is a gift from God, is made possible by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and is granted to those who have faith.

Saving Faith

Saving faith involves 4 beliefs:

  • A genuine desire for holiness in and of itself.
  • A genuine understanding that left to myself I am totally incapable of obtaining holiness.
  • A genuine understanding that God owes me nothing and I am totally unworthy of any gift from God.
  • A firm trust that because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God both intends to and will in fact forgive me and make me holy in the age to come.

Paul’s other prayers:

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, – Ephesians 1:16-18

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. – Colossians 1:9-10

 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,- Colossians 2:2

Paraphrase:

Philippians, your support of my ministry shows me that God has done a great work in your hearts. You have a genuine love for God and for his people. My prayer to God is that this love would continue to increase and overflow. I want your love to be rooted in a knowledge of God, understanding his promises, his character and his mercy toward you and his will.  I want this knowledge to make you discerning about your lives, willing to embrace and value what is indeed true and valuable.  When God does this for you, then the sincerity of your faith will become apparent and you will persevere in that faith without stumbling until the end.  Then your life will indeed be marked by a godly love and everything else that characterizes the righteous life of a genuine believer. All of this comes about through the work of Jesus Christ and it reflects great glory on the God who sent him.

Summary

  1. Paul wants them to have a real faith and to embrace the gospel, to know and believe it.
  2. He wants the reality of this faith to show itself in the way they live.
  3. He wants them to persevere in this faith so that they receive their inheritance when Christ returns.

This is what I ought to want for myself and what I ought to want for you.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 03 Philippians 1:12-26 To Live is Christ

Previous: 01 Philippians 1:1-8 Introduction

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

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01 Philippians 1:1-8 Introduction

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01 Philippians 1:1-8 Introduction - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Paul’s message in Philippians is essentially the same as Moses in Deuteronomy 30:19-20: Choose life by loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him.

Background

The author of this letter, the Apostle Paul, first visited Philippi during his second missionary journey.  His visit is recorded in Acts 16:1-40.

More: Who was Paul?

Paul and Silas were traveling through Asia Minor.  They met Timothy in Lystra and he joined them on the rest of the trip.  Luke (the author of Acts) joined Paul & Silas in Troas and accompanied them to Macedonia.

As a Roman colony, Philippians had Roman citizenship.  Latin was their official language.  They adopted Roman customs and culture, and modeled their city government after Rome.

Typically, when Paul entered a new city, Paul proclaimed the gospel in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Paul went to a “prayer meeting” by the river instead, so presumably there was no synagogue.

Lydia, a wealthy merchant, and her household are among his first converts.

Paul & Silas were arrested and beaten for proclaiming non-Roman customs.

When Paul left Philippi, he left behind a small church, comprised of Lydia’s household, and the jailer’s household plus some others.  Apparently, Luke also stays behind.

Paul returned to Philippi on his third missionary journey (see Acts 20).

For a discussion of why Paul baptized an entire household as recorded in Acts 16, see this podcast.

Around 60-62 AD, Paul was under house arrest in Rome.  The Philippians sent him a financial donation through Epaphroditus.  Paul sent Epaphroditus back to Philippi with this letter of thanks.

Passage

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:1-8 ESV

Paul is grateful that the gospel was so important to the Philippians that they wanted to support him financially.

Paraphrase

I thank my God because of all the ways you have remembered me, including this financial gift.  My prayers for you are filled with joy because of the way you have partnered with me in spreading the gospel from the day we met until now. My joy is rooted in this: God began work in you, he gave you a faith that led you to value and support the ministry of the gospel, and I am confident that he will continue to mature and perfect your faith such that you will persevere until the day Christ returns.  It is only right that I have these joyful feelings for you because you have been my partners in this ministry of grace while I have been imprisoned and struggling to defend and confirm the good news.

Application

  1. Paul claims his prayers reveal what is most important to him.  For Paul, prayer is not a ritual or routine; prayer is an expression to God of what we care about most.
  2. Similarly, the way we spend our money reveals what we value and consider important. Thus Paul is grateful for what their financial gift reveals about the Philippians.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 02 Philippians 1:9-11 Paul’s prayer

Series: Philippians: Choose Life

Study: Philippians Resources

Scripture references are from the English Standard version.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash