Today we start a new book, Philippians. Written about 64 A.D. In this book Paul will teach to the church of Philippi unity for Christians, Purpose, Attitude, Goals, and Labors for the Lord. As we begin, we find that Timothy is his scribe. Phi.1 and verse 1 begins.
Phi.1:1] Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
[2] Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
A simple salutation from Paul, but more than meets the eye. Philippi is in Lystra, and Timothy is from this area. And was one of a few that founded this church. Let’s read Acts 16:1-5.
Acts.16:1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
[2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
[3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
[4] And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
[5] And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Knowing who Timothy is now, will show us a lot of why Paul is writing this letter for the church in Philippi. Back to Phi.1 and verse 3 reads.
Phi.1:3] I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
[4] Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
[5] For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
This would be for about 11 years now.
Phi.1:6] 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:
Sharpen up. What was just said acknowledges that the Holy Spirit is within us all, and will be, until the day the LORD returns.
Phi.1:7] Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Paul being in prison for teaching the word of God is writing the word of God from prison.
Phi.1:8] For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
For God is our record also, our works are written in the Book of Life. These will make up our white linen robes in heaven. No works, then your shame will be seen.
Phi.1:9] And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Every day we start off with “God open eyes and ears”.
Phi.1:10] That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Some things here to help us find truth in God’s Word. First, this word “approve” it is G1381 dokimazō in the Greek, and means 1. to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals.
Second, the word “excellent” it is G1308 diapherō in the Greek and means different, 1. to distinguish between good and evil, lawful and unlawful.
A deeper meaning Paul is teaching us here is to test your teachers. Until the coming of Christ tells us that especially in these end times we will have false teachers. Conclusion, the verse should have read,” That you test the things that are different.” I do this to correct the translation of God’s word. Back to Phi.1 and verse 11 reads.
Phi.1:11] Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
All gifts come from God, our fruits of doing what is right, allows us to know also what fruits are evil.
Phi.1:12] But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
[13] So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
[14] And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Writing this boldly, other brothers in the Lord are more confident in their works.
Phi.1:15] Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Discern from those that do it for money or as teaching falsely the word of God out of the evil of their own hearts.
Phi.1:16] The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
They try to add the affliction to me but cannot.
Phi.1:17] But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Paul as our example, will stand.
Phi.1:18] What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
We do it for the glory of the LORD and not for ourselves.
Phi.1:19] For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Have not the elect been justified already in the first earth age.
Phi.1:20] According to my earnest expectation and my 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.
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
It is my hope and prayer by now that all are willing to die for the LORD, after all he died for us, that by the cross he destroyed death that is the Devil. Heb.2:14.
Phi.1:22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
Either way Paul is happy. We should be also, to live is to teach the good news (gospel). To die is to be with the Lord. Ecc.12:7.
Phi.1:23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Well said.
Phi.1:24] Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
And we can thank Paul for staying long enough to write most of the New Testament.
Phi.1:25] And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
[26] That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
[27] Only let your conversation 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;
Saying whether he is able to come to them or not that they continue in the gospels and teach them.
Phi.1:28] And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
They that come against you will have perdition. Stay bold in teaching the word of God, he has our backs. Let’s go to 2Thes.1:6-7 and it reads.
2Thes.1:6] Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
[7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
For God’s elect when they are delivered up and for those that teach boldly the word of God today, he has our backs. Back to Phi.1 and verse 29 reads.
Phi.1:29] For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Jesus told us in Mark 8 verses 34-35 this simple saying for our understanding.
Mark 8:34] And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Notice that he said called, those that are his elect. Called to what, to be his disciples and follow him, to teach the word of God.
Mark 8:35] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
For Jesus’s sake and for the Word’s sake, do not forget that.
Phi.1:30] Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Paul will keep up the good fight, and so will we. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible