Philippians 1, Joyous Imprisonment

Paul's letter to Philippians is one of my favorites.  Long ago, in college, with my good friend, Ed, I attempted to memorize the letter.

Philippians 1: 1-2, Greeting

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a classic first century greeting, naming the letter writers and the recipients of the letter. Here the letter writers add an identification as bond-servants of the Messiah, echoing the Old Testament ebed YHWH, terms given to Moses and the prophets. (See Isaiah 40-55.) The basic well-wishes that might begin any letter here emphasize the work of God and Jesus.

"Overseers" here might be translated as "bishop" or (today) "elder".  Paul addresses all the Christians in Philippi as "saints".

Philippians 1: 3-6, Praying with joy

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. 

This book will have an emphasis on Joy.  Here Paul expresses confidence that those in Philippi who have begun to walk with the Savior-Messiah will continue to steadily grow until the Messiah's kingdom comes in full force.

(From Envision Truth 499 comes this drawing of Philippians 1:6)

Philippians 1: 7, Regardless of chains

For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

This letter is another "prison epistle", written when Paul was presumably in prison in Rome, as recorded at the end of Acts. Paul's confidence in the Christ-followers in Philippi is based on a longterm relationship, these people are "partakers" with him.

Philippians 1: 8-11, Grow loving, knowledge, righteousness

For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.

Love is important -- but it grows with knowledge and insight. Paul's prayer is for a maturity in the Philippian believers, becoming "sincere" and "blameless", looking towards a future "day of Christ". All of this is to result in God's praise and glory.

Philippians 1: 12-14, Greeting

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

Paul's imprisonment seems to be constructive, strengthening the Christians in Rome.  Indeed, the gospel is working within the emperor's palace or palace guard.

(Philippians 1:13)

Philippians 1: 15-18a, Different motivations

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. 

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice

Paul is aware that some seem to be preaching Christ for their own personal gain.  (If only he could see things now!) Regardless, he is unperturbed.

Philippians 1: 18b-19, But I will rejoice

But not only that, I also will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 

According to the NASB footnotes, the word translated "deliverance" in verse 19 could also be translated "salvation".  When the New Testament speaks of "salvation" it often does not mean "eternal salvation" as a American Christian might use the term.

Once, long ago, Jan and I visited a fundamentalistic church in rural Illinois.  The greeting the churchgoers gave everyone as they approached the building was "Are you saved?"  When we were asked that, I was tempted to ask, "Saved from what?" -- but knowing the context, Jan and I simply said, "Yes" and walked in. But the interpretation of "salvation" requires context.

Philippians 1: 20-26, Given over to Christ, regardless...

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. 

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again.

We read here a beautiful, now classic passage, predating Hamlet's soliloquy. Paul, in prison and having narrowly escaped death numerous times, is content if Death comes and he gets to "move on up" and be with Christ. But then, again, if he is granted life, remaining "in the body", he will also use that for Christ's kingdom.

Philippians 1: 27-28, Standing firm, in one spirit

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God. 

Paul encourages the Philippians to "stand firm" in their faith, indeed grow in their faith, not alarmed by persecutors.

Philippians 1: 29-30, Request granted

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Verse 29 should be allowed to sink in -- Paul's tells the Philippians that they have been "granted" the opportunity for suffering, almost as if they had requested it!  "I just want you to know that your request has been approved! You will be allowed to suffer for Jesus!"  I don't think this is a request that I have made!  :-)

Tomorrow we will go on to look at the gift of Joy (a favorite theme of C. S. Lewis.)

(This version of the Bible used in this blog post is the NASB. This post will eventually appear in my New Testament blog on 6/16 2025. At this time I am focusing my attention on working through the Old Testament at oldtestamentchapters.blogspot.com.)