Philippians

Paul's concern and love for the church was evidenced by his thanksgiving and prayer for them. His prayer is full of joy because of their fellowship in the gospel, the confidence of God's continued work in their lives, and because they also shared in God's grace along with Paul. Paul desired for them to abound in richer and deeper spiritual understanding so that they will be blameless until the day of Christ. The day of Christ will be a time of judgment of the believers' works at the Lord's appearing when their faithfulness will be rewarded.

Paul demonstrated a confident joy in the midst of his situation. If Paul was writing from Rome, his tribulations included mob violence, imprisonment, shipwreck, personal stress, and long detention under the palace guards (2 Cor. 11:23-33). Paul rejoiced that in spite of his circumstances the gospel was being preached, even by those opposing him.

Paul informed them of his past and present situation and consciously weighed the alternatives for his future. The joy of Paul's life was grounded in his Christ-centered life. He stated, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Dying was gain because it meant to be with Christ, the better by far. Yet it was the Lord's will for Paul to remain in this life because it was more helpful for the Philippians' progress and joy in the faith.

In this very significant section of the letter, Paul urged the church members to dismiss their pride and to live and serve together in unity. Anything less falls short of the gospel's standards. True unity will be realized by authentic meekness and selflessness, ultimately exemplified in the earthly life of Jesus. The attitude the church should exhibit was the one Jesus maintained.

Jesus' self-emptying served as the basis for the apostle's exhortation. Philippians 2:5-11, possibly a quotation from an early hymn in praise of Christ, taught that Jesus' self-emptying led to His exaltation by the Father. Jesus existed in the very nature of God and made Himself nothing, not giving up His deity but His heavenly glory and privileges. He lived a life of humble obedience and humbled Himself even to the point of dying for sinners on the cross. He was then gloriously exalted in His resurrection and ascension.

Paul's exhortation to unity involved Christians' working out their salvation with fear and trembling. This action brings about a spiritual community void of complaining and friction. They are encouraged to live as lights in the world, thus holding out the word of life to others and providing joy for the apostle on the day of Christ.

Paul was willing to sacrifice himself in service for the church at Philippi and warmly commended his coworkers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, for their humble and sacrificial service as well. He told of his plan to send Timothy to them when there was further news for him to give. Also he offered an explanation for Epaphroditus's return to them. Paul wanted to be sure the Philippians did not think that Epaphroditus failed in his task to serve Paul.

Paul warned of the dangers of turning aside to depend on legalistic standards rather than on the grace of God in Christ. Paul labeled these false teachers "dogs, those who do evil, mutilators of the flesh." The church must have been aware of these false teachers, Judaizers, who followed Paul everywhere, insisting that Gentile believers should be circumcised and keep the ceremonial law in order to be saved. Instead, Paul taught that true circumcision involved faith in Christ. He offered himself as an example of one who in his past trusted in human achievement instead of the justifying grace of God and the all-sufficiency of Christ. (See the article "Justification by Faith.")

The object of joy, of concentration, indeed of all of life is Christ. Paul's purpose in life was to know Christ experientially, becoming like Him in His death and attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Like an athlete who does not waste time looking around or looking back, Paul exerted his all-out effort to reach the finish line of Christian maturity. He did not presume to have attained perfection and therefore fully pursued the goal of God's upward call in Christ Jesus. He likewise called for the Philippians to move forward in their Christian lives.

Simultaneously in this exhortation he strongly denounced the false teachings of careless living, on the one hand, and spiritual perfectionism on the other. He appealed for unity and maturity by reminding them that they were citizens of heaven. Because the Philippians were intensely proud of their Roman citizenship, they would have quickly grasped all that Paul meant. Finally, he reminded them that they would be transformed at the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There was some hint of division in the church. Paul appealed to Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other and for the entire church to stand firm in the Lord. Paul offered them a prescription for receiving God's peace, to rejoice in the Lord, and to let their thoughts be filled with that which is good, lovely, and true.

Paul rejoiced and offered thanksgiving for the Philippians' generous care for him. He had learned to be satisfied in whatever situation he found himself in the Lord's service. This word of contentment and thanksgiving came from a man in prison facing death, a man who had been beaten, stoned, and hounded by his enemies. The basis for such contentment was found in his confidence that he could do everything through Christ who gave him strength (4:13). Paul commended them for their generosity. From the first, even at great cost to themselves, they had shared with the apostle. In all of this Paul displayed his attitude toward material things and urged them to realize that God would meet all their needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Paul concluded his letter with a benediction and personal greetings. He also sent greetings from Caesar's household, which included Christian members of the emperor's staff.

Theological Significance. In this letter we learn the importance of church unity (1:27-30) and Christian humility (2:1-4). Christ's humility serves as the basis of Christian humility, which is the key for genuine Christian unity. Paul's suffering during his imprisonment also serves as a foundation for teaching abasement and humility (1:12-18; 4:10-13). Alongside abasement and suffering is joy, the great theme of the letter. In all of life's circumstances believers can experience joy. For it is in suffering and sacrifice that true joy is found. Paul's exhortation to rejoice is a much-needed and practical word for believers at all times in all situations.

Bruce, F. F. Philippians, A Good News Commentary. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1983.

Martin, Ralph P. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1959.

Melick, Richard R., Jr. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman, 1991.

Motyer, J. A. The Message of Philippians. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1984.