Philippians 3:1

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe”

“Finally”: Compare with Philippians 4:8. “Literally, ‘as for the rest'” (Robertson p. 451). “The word may mean 'henceforth' or merely 'further'” (Erdman p. 107). The same word is used when Paul makes. transition or begins. new topic in his letters (1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). “Rejoice in the Lord”: See Philippians 1:18; Philippians 2:17-18; and Philippians 4:4). “Present tense, keep on rejoicing in the Lord. It is probably designed to instill confidence in the brethren in spite of the warnings which are to follow” (Jackson pp. 61-62). Bad news will always confront the Christian. False teaching will always be prevalent (2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1), temptation will constantly surround us (Ephesians 6:10 ff), and the local congregation will always be faced with the fact that. certain percentage of those converted, won't remain faithful (Luke 8:11). Yet in the midst of all this bad news, the Christian always has something to rejoice in, their own relationship with the Lord. The joy of the Christian is not rooted in external circumstances. Thus, we have. joy that nobody outside of ourselves can really touch (John 16:22). “To write the same things to you”: Indicating that the warning to be given, had been given before. “To me indeed is not irksome”: “To repeat the same warnings is not wearisome to me” (Con). “It doesn't bore me to repeat”; “I never get tired of telling you this” (Tay). “Like any good teacher, Paul was never afraid of repetition. It may well be that one of our faults is our desire for novelty. The great saving truths of Christianity do not change; and we cannot hear them too often. No teacher must find it. trouble to go over and over again the great truths of the Christian faith” (Barclay p. 52). The Bible stresses repetition in preaching (2 Peter 1:12; Titus 3:1; 2 Timothy 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:14; 1 Timothy 4:6).. am impressed that Paul did not find doctrine to be boring. “But for you it is safe”: “It is. safeguard for you” (NASV). “It is. safe precaution” (Wey). “It is good for you to hear it again and again” (Tay). “Safe”: “Is to be taken in an active sense, tending to make you safe” (Lenski p. 827).

The Philippians would be "protected" from false teachers and their erroneous doctrines, in the exact same manner that we are today. That is, such protection is found in adhering to the writings of the apostles. Believing that the apostles actually wrote the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and loving the truth contained in the Word of God above all other ideas (2 Thessalonians 2:10), will guard one against believing error. Carefully note: The Philippians had to interpret Paul's letter, just as we do today. Paul did not have. problem with people interpreting what he said. He knew that his writings were of such clarity that honest hearts who love truth would not reach the wrong conclusions (Ephesians 3:3). Peter agrees (2 Peter 3:15). This verse clearly advocates that spiritual safety is found in obeying the letters of the apostles. Obviously then, the epistles are very important and vital for our eventual salvation. It would be spiritual suicide to say that we are not expected to obey what is found in the letters that the apostles wrote to the early churches.