Bible Exposition Commentary

“Partakers” means partners. The Philippians were part of Paul’s gospel team even though they were
separated from him by hundreds of miles. God never intended that one individual do all the serving and producing. That is the point of the allocation of spiritual gifts to every believer. We are all partners and on the same team. That is why every believer is a priest and an ambassador of Christ. The life of every believer has definition and purpose.

There are not many Christian articles about the person who goes to work every day and lives out his routine. No one writes about ordinary events: “The thrilling story of his ride downtown on the bus and how the air conditioning went out which almost caused heat prostration!” No, people do not write about the daily routine. They are much more likely to write about an overseas adventure.

No matter how much monotony a person may have in his life, if they are serving Jesus Christ, they are in partnership with believers all over the world. No matter how much our lives may
be in a rut, our lives are just as important as the life of any person on the mission field or in any other area of Christian service. It is just as difficult to live a conventional life as a life of adventure.

It is a great strain for sports writers to write about linemen. It is much easier to write about the 80-yard run and how many touchdowns were made. Without great linemen there would be no
great running backs. The “silent partners” of the apostle Paul were the Philippians. Without people who give to Christian work and those who work behind the scenes, little would be accomplished for the cause of Christ. Many of the Philippians had routine experiences yet they were partners with the
great apostle Paul. Paul traveled all over the Roman Empire yet many of the Philippians did not get much farther than the outskirts of the city.

Some Christian leaders think that they are the whole team. The leader is just one member of the team. Paul had enough sense to realize that he needed people. “You all are partakers with
me of grace.”

The people in Philippi supported Paul both spiritually and materially. They not only shared in the same grace that brought Paul to Christ but they shared in the same grace that made Paul a
missionary. They shared in Paul’s ministry.

Every time they helped Paul financially they had a stake in his work; they had a share in his work; they had shares in him. “I have invested $500 in Paul’s ministry; I have invested $1000 in his ministry.” Would it not be great to have a $500 share in the ministry of Paul? Just think of the dividends that would come back at the judgment seat of Christ! Do you look on evangelistic enterprises like that? We would have a share in an evangelist. That eternal investment would pay
dividends in glory.

“…for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and enduring possession for yourselves in heaven”
(Hebrews 10:34).