Philippians

Philippians

 

WHEN JOY DOESN'T DEPEND ON CIRCUMSTANCES

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Paul is in prison. Chained to a Roman guard. Facing possible execution. His ministry is restricted. His freedom is gone. His future is uncertain.

 

And he writes a letter about joy.

 

Not happiness, which depends on circumstances. Joy, which runs deeper than any situation. Joy that persists even when everything's falling apart.

 

Philippians is the most joyful letter in the New Testament. The word rejoice appears again and again. Not because Paul's circumstances are good. They're terrible. But because his joy isn't based on circumstances. It's based on Christ.

 

This letter was written to the church in Philippi, the first church Paul planted in Europe. They're his friends. They've supported him financially. They've stood by him through everything. And now they've sent Epaphroditus with a gift whilst Paul's in prison.

 

Paul writes back with gratitude, encouragement, and joy. He addresses division in the church, warns against false teachers, and challenges them to press on towards the goal. But the overwhelming tone is joy. Deep, unshakeable, circumstance defying joy.

 

If you're going through a hard season, if your circumstances are difficult, if you're wondering how to find joy when everything's falling apart, read Philippians. Paul will show you.

 

A note before we begin:

Philippians is only four chapters, but it's packed with profound truth about joy, humility, unity, and pressing on in faith. This summary covers the major themes, but Paul's personal warmth and theological depth deserve your full attention. After reading this overview, open your Bible and read all four chapters of Philippians yourself. Let Paul's joy in suffering encourage you.

 

Partnership in the Gospel

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, write to all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Paul opens with grace and peace. Standard greeting, but he means it.

 

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

Paul thanks God for them. Every time he remembers them, he prays with joy. Why? Because they've partnered with him in the gospel from day one. And he's confident God will complete what He started in them.

 

It's right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I'm in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

 

Paul loves them deeply. They share in God's grace with him. He longs for them with Christ's affection.

 

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

 

He prays their love would abound. Not just emotional love, but love with knowledge and insight. So they can discern what's best. So they'll be pure and blameless. Filled with the fruit of righteousness.

 

Chains That Advance the Gospel

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it's become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I'm in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

 

Paul's in prison. But his chains are advancing the gospel. The whole palace guard knows he's imprisoned for Christ. And his boldness is encouraging other believers to speak fearlessly.

 

It's true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I'm put here for the defence of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me whilst I'm in chains.

 

Some people are preaching Christ with wrong motives. They're trying to make Paul's situation worse. But Paul doesn't care.

 

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.

 

Christ is being preached. That's what matters. So Paul rejoices. Even when people have bad motives, if Christ is proclaimed, Paul's happy.

 

For I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I'll in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

 

Paul expects deliverance. But not necessarily release from prison. He wants Christ exalted in his body, whether he lives or dies. That's his only concern.

 

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I'm to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I don't know! I'm torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it's more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

 

This is one of the most famous statements in Scripture. To live is Christ. To die is gain. Paul's torn. He'd rather die and be with Christ. That's better. But staying alive is more useful for the church.

 

Convinced of this, I know that I'll remain, and I'll continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

 

Paul expects to be released. He'll continue with them for their progress and joy.

 

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I'll know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.

 

Live worthy of the gospel. Stand firm. Strive together. Don't be frightened by opposition.

 

For it's been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, since you're going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

 

It's a privilege to suffer for Christ. Not just to believe in Him, but to suffer for Him. They're sharing in Paul's struggle.

 

The Mind of Christ

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

 

Paul appeals to them. If you've experienced Christ's encouragement, love, the Spirit's fellowship, tenderness, compassion, then make my joy complete. Be united. Have the same love. Be one.

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

 

Don't act out of selfish ambition. Don't be conceited. Value others above yourself. Look to their interests, not just your own.

 

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, didn't consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross!

 

This is one of the most important passages about Jesus in the Bible. He was God. Equal with the Father. But He didn't grasp at that equality. He emptied Himself. Took the form of a servant. Became human. Humbled Himself to death on a cross.

 

That's the mindset you should have. Humility. Service. Selflessness. Even to the point of death.

 

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that's above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Because Jesus humbled Himself, God exalted Him. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess: Jesus Christ is Lord.

 

Therefore, my dear friends, as you've always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it's God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose.

 

Work out your salvation. Not work for your salvation. Work it out. How? Because God is working in you. He gives you the desire and the power to do His will.

 

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you'll shine amongst them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.

 

Don't grumble. Don't argue. Be blameless. Shine like stars in a dark world. Hold on to the word of life.

 

And then I'll be able to boast on the day of Christ that I didn't run or labour in vain. But even if I'm being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I'm glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

 

Paul's willing to be poured out like a drink offering. And he rejoices. They should rejoice too.

 

Timothy and Epaphroditus

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he's served with me in the work of the gospel.

 

Paul will send Timothy. Timothy genuinely cares about them. Most people care about their own interests. But Timothy cares about Christ's interests.

 

But I think it's necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co worker and fellow soldier, who's also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

 

Epaphroditus brought their gift to Paul. He got sick and almost died. Paul's sending him back. Welcome him with joy.

 

Therefore I'm all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves couldn't give me.

 

Honour people like Epaphroditus. He risked his life for Christ's work.

 

No Confidence in the Flesh

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It's no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it's a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it's we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by His Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.

 

Paul warns against false teachers. He calls them dogs, evildoers, mutilators of the flesh. They're pushing circumcision. But true circumcision is of the heart.

 

Though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

 

If anyone could boast in religious credentials, it's Paul. Circumcised. Israelite. Tribe of Benjamin. Pharisee. Zealous. Faultless according to the law.

 

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What's more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I've lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

 

All those credentials? Paul counts them as loss. Garbage. Why? Because knowing Christ is infinitely more valuable. He wants Christ's righteousness, not his own.

 

I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

 

Paul's goal: know Christ. Know the power of His resurrection. Share in His sufferings. Become like Him in death. Attain resurrection.

 

Pressing On Towards the Goal

Not that I've already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I don't consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what's behind and straining towards what's ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

 

Paul's not perfect. He hasn't arrived. But he presses on. He forgets what's behind. He strains towards what's ahead. He runs towards the goal.

 

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we've already attained.

 

If you're mature, you have this mindset. Press on. Strain forward. Run towards the goal.

 

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I've often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

 

Follow Paul's example. Watch those who live like him. Many live as enemies of the cross. Their god is their stomach. They focus on earthly things.

 

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they'll be like His glorious body.

 

Your citizenship is in heaven. You're waiting for Jesus. He'll transform your body to be like His glorious body.

 

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

 

Stand firm in the Lord. You're Paul's joy and crown.

 

Final Exhortations

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they've contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co workers, whose names are in the book of life.

 

Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, are in conflict. Paul pleads with them to agree. He asks someone to help them reconcile.

 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I'll say it again: rejoice!

 

Rejoice in the Lord. Always. Again I say, rejoice.

 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Be gentle. Don't be anxious. Pray about everything. Give thanks. Present your requests to God. And God's peace, which surpasses understanding, will guard your heart and mind.

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever you've learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

 

Think about what's true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy. Practice what you learned from Paul. The God of peace will be with you.

 

Thanks for Their Gifts

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I'm not saying this because I'm in need, for I've learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it's to be in need, and I know what it's to have plenty. I've learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

 

Paul's grateful for their gift. But he's learned contentment. Whether he has plenty or nothing, he's content.

 

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

 

This is one of the most misused verses in the Bible. In context, Paul's talking about being content in any circumstance. He can do all things, endure any situation, through Christ who strengthens him.

 

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.

 

The Philippians supported Paul financially when no other church did. They've been faithful partners.

 

Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I've received full payment and have more than enough. I'm amply supplied, now that I've received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They're a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

 

Paul doesn't want their gifts for himself. He wants them to be credited to their account. Their giving is a sacrifice pleasing to God.

 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.

 

God will supply all your needs. According to His riches in glory.

 

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Final Greetings

Greet all God's people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God's people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household.

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

 

What This Means for You

Philippians is a letter about joy in suffering, humility in service, and pressing on towards the goal. Paul writes from prison with joy because his circumstances don't determine his joy. Christ does.

 

Here's what Philippians teaches you:

God will complete what He started in you. He began a good work. He'll finish it. You're not responsible for completing yourself. God is.

To live is Christ, to die is gain. Your life is about Christ. Death isn't loss. It's gain. You get to be with Him.

Have the mind of Christ. Humility. Service. Selflessness. Even to the point of death. That's the mindset you need.

Work out your salvation. Not work for it. Work it out. Because God is working in you.

Shine like stars in a dark world. Don't grumble. Don't argue. Hold on to the word of life.

Consider everything loss compared to knowing Christ. Whatever credentials you have, whatever achievements, count them as garbage. Christ is infinitely more valuable.

Press on towards the goal. Forget what's behind. Strain towards what's ahead. Run the race.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, rejoice. Not because circumstances are good. Because the Lord is good.

Don't be anxious about anything. Pray about everything. God's peace will guard your heart and mind.

Think about what's true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Your thought life matters.

Be content in any circumstance. Learn the secret. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

 

Your Next Steps

Philippians challenges you to find joy regardless of circumstances and to press on towards the goal.

 

Are you joyful? Not happy because things are good, but joyful because Christ is good? Rejoice in the Lord always.

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Do you have the mind of Christ? Are you humble? Do you serve others? Do you value them above yourself?

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What are you counting on for righteousness? Your achievements? Your credentials? Count them as loss. Christ is all that matters.

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Are you pressing on? Or are you stuck in the past? Forget what's behind. Strain towards what's ahead.

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Are you anxious? Pray about it. With thanksgiving. God's peace will guard your heart.

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What are you thinking about? Is it true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable? Guard your mind.

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Are you content? Whatever your circumstances, learn contentment. Christ gives you strength.

 

Read It Yourself

This summary covers Philippians' major themes, but Paul's personal warmth, his deep joy in suffering, his passionate pursuit of Christ, all of it deserves your full attention. Philippians is only four chapters. You can read it in fifteen minutes.

 

Don't just read about Philippians. Read Philippians. Open your Bible and read all four chapters. Let Paul's joy in prison encourage you. Let his pursuit of Christ inspire you. Let his contentment challenge you.

 

Joy in Suffering

Paul's in prison. Facing possible death. His ministry is restricted. His freedom is gone. And he's joyful.

Not because he's pretending everything's fine. Not because he's in denial. Because his joy isn't based on circumstances. It's based on Christ.

Christ is being preached. That's reason to rejoice. The gospel is advancing. That's reason to rejoice. God is at work. That's reason to rejoice.

 

Your circumstances will change. Sometimes good. Sometimes terrible. But Christ doesn't change. If your joy is in Him, your joy is secure.

That's the message of Philippians.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, rejoice.

 

 

Scripture paraphrased and quoted from various translations for clarity.

©The Unknown Believer