Great joy in suffering: (chap.1)
Expression of gratitude and supplication: (1:1-11)
In this chapter-1, Christ is mentioned 18-times and the Gospel 6- times. Paul is rejoicing here in spite of difficult circumstances as a prisoner in Rome. The secret of his joy is that he lives for Christ and for the Gospel.
Paul uses the word joy many times in this letter. The Philippians church was remembered with joy and thanksgiving whenever Paul prayed. By helping Paul, they were helping Christ’s cause. The church rendered great assistance to Paul, both in prison and out of prison. Paul had 3-things for the church.
- Apostle Paul remembers them very well: (1:3-6):
Philippians heard the gospel in Paul’s second missionary journey.
The Philippians saints and Paul were partners in the gospel. They first gave themselves to Christ in turn to the cause of Christ as a great support financially and physically when he wanted very much in prison. They also had fellowship with him from the very first day they trusted Christ. This brought great joy to the apostle’s heart. True Christian fellowship is much more than having a name on a church roll or being present at a meeting or sharing a cup of coffee or tea together. It is possible to be close to people physically and miles away from them spiritually. One of the sources of Christian joy is the fellowship that believers have in Jesus Christ. Paul was in Rome, his friends were miles away in Philippi, but their spiritual fellowship was so real and satisfying.
The apostle was very confident as he prayed for the Philippians. Paul says: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God would certainly continue on to completion the good work He had begun in them. That good work was their salvation. It may also have included their fellowship and sharing of their bounties with Paul. God would work in them until the day of Christ Jesus. In (2:16) Paul called this “the day of Christ.” Though Paul did not know when that day would occur, when all believers would be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. But he did know that God would continue the work He had begun in His own children.
- Paul has a love for them, deep in his heart: (Phil 1:7-8):
The apostle had shown his pure love for the believers in Philippi. He was suffering and a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the sake of Gentiles. Because of Paul’s trial, Christianity was going to get a fair hearing before the officials of Rome. Since Philippi was a Roman colony, the decision would affect the believers there. Paul’s love was not something he merely talked about; it was something he practiced. He considered his difficult circumstances an opportunity for defending and confirming the Gospel, and this would help his brethren everywhere.
How can we tell that we love other Christians? Apostle Paul gives a great example: The believers at Philippi were concerned about Paul and sent Epaphroditus to minister to him. Paul was also greatly concerned about his friends at Philippi, especially when Epaphroditus became ill and could not return right away (2:25-28). “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 Jn. 3:18). Another evidence of Christian love is a willingness to forgive one another. For love covers the multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…” (Gal. 5:22).
- Paul prays for them regularly: (Phil 1:9-11):
Paul found joy in praying for them. The high priest in the Old Testament wore a special garment, the ephod, over His heart. On it were twelve stones with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel engraved on them, a jewel for each tribe (Ex 28:15-29). He carried the people over his heart in love, and so did Paul. Perhaps the deepest Christian fellowship and joy we can experience in this life is at the throne of grace, praying with for one another. The best way to influence others is to pray for them. Paul’s prayer is that they may be unified in love. Their love would result in greater knowledge of Christ and deeper insight (moral discernment). Their love must not be based on feelings, but on what Christ has done for them. Paul further prayed that the Philippians would discern what is best i.e. the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad, pure and blameless, vital and trivial etc. The fruit of righteousness that Paul mentions comes only through the righteousness of Christ. This is one of the fruit of Spirit (Gal.5:22) which a believer has to maintain until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ perhaps until the Rapture of the believers.