PAUL, THE AUTHOR OF PHILIPPIANS Paul wrote the Philippian letter from Rome during his first imprisonment. Timothy was with him at the time, so he was mentioned by Paul. The apostle probably used Timothy's name here because he was with him when the church at Philippi was started. He described both o... [ Continue Reading ]
THANKFUL JOY FOR PHILIPPI Paul was beaten at Philippi and thrown in prison, yet he thanked God for the Christians there (1 Peter 1:3). He always remembered them in prayer. We need to remember the power of prayer (James 5:16-18). We can do nothing greater for a friend than to remember them as we app... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFIDENCE PLACED IN THE LORD A man with a broken watch might take it to the repairman. The repairman, after examining it might say he could not fix it. The only alternative would then be to send it back to the maker. Similarly, we must turn to the Maker if we would see the church grow (Ephesians 3... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE PHILIPPIAN CHURCH Paul prayed for the Philippians. He first called God as a witness to his love for them, which was like Christ's love (Compare 1 Corinthians 11:1). He then prayed that their love might abound. This word "love" comes from the Greek word agape (Matthew 5:43-48).... [ Continue Reading ]
MOTIVES FOR PREACHING Evidently some were jealous of Paul's success as a preacher. They promoted a party spirit by encouraging others to follow them (1 Peter 1:15). Obviously, preachers who know God's purpose will seek to unite all Christians under the Lordship of Jesus with no emphasis on personal... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICING IN THE PREACHING OF CHRIST While some preached Christ hoping to gain a personal following, Paul was still thankful Christ was being preached (1 Peter 1:18). This lets us know they were not false teachers; but preached strictly out of a wrong motive. Notice, Paul was able to rejoice even t... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S POWER TO DELIVER Even though he was in prison, Paul was confident God would deliver him (1 Peter 1:19). He may have meant he was confident God would set him free from prison. However, verse 20 makes that doubtful. More likely, he is expressing his confidence that God would work... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL'S EAGER LONGING Vine says the word translated "earnest expectation" means "primarily a watching with outstretched head....signifies strained expectancy, eager longing, the stretching forth of the head indicating an expectation of something from a certain place". Paul did not look forward to fa... [ Continue Reading ]
A DIFFICULT CHOICE If the choice of life or death were left to him, the apostle did not know what to choose. As he saw it, continued life offered him further opportunities for service and fruit bearing (1 Peter 1:22). In fact, each day of a Christian's life should be given in service to God. Such w... [ Continue Reading ]
LIVING WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL Paul wanted the Philippian brethren to behave in a manner worthy of their citizenship in the kingdom of Christ. He told Timothy to "be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). Titus received his instructi... [ Continue Reading ]
STAND FAST WITHOUT TERROR Paul did not want the brethren at Philippi to appear to be "terrified." Shepherd says the word "terrified carries the suggestions of the action of a horse in a race, which becomes scared and springs aside and runs off wildly." People who behaved in that fashion would be dis... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HONOR OF SUFFERING Paul counted it an honor to be able to believe on Christ and even to suffer for him. "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Corinthians 11:23-33). Peter agreed with him when he wrote, "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are ble... [ Continue Reading ]