Archive for the 'Philippians' Category

Philippians 4:23

Published on April 13, 1996 in Philippians. 1 Comment
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“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
 
Paul’s usual practice was to close his epistles with an emphasis upon God’s matchless grace. Paul concludes Philippians with a closing prayer for them. The prayers of the saints often reveal their heart. Paul’s heart was that the Philippians would experience the grace of God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Paul makes his final and crowning comment–he wants them to experience the grace of God day by day.
This is more than a formal or customary greeting. The greeting has deep meaning to Paul. This is the deepest desire of the apostle. Paul above all else wants the Philippians to experience God’s grace upon their lives. Grace is a centerpiece in the salutations and conclusions of Paul’s epistles.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of grace:
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Co 8:9).
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” (2 Co 13:14).
Amen
“Amen” means “so be it.” Paul affirms his belief system: “May the Philippians experience the grace of God day by day in their lives.”
Principle: The grace of God is a central operating principle for Christian living. The grace of God is his provisions for us. He gives these provisions without merit.
Application: Are you conscious of God’s provisions in your life? Do you know what those provisions are? Are you able to use those provisions for what you face day by day? Is the grace of God operative in your experience? Is the grace of God “with you?”
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Philippians 4:22b

Published on April 12, 1996 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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"All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.”
 
The fourth category of people greeting the Philippians is “Caesar’s household.”
but especially those who are of Caesar’s household
The word “especially” means “in greatest degree.” With a special touch Paul concludes the book of Philippians with emphatic emphasis upon God’s sovereign work in spite of his adversity in jail. He singles out the Praetorian Guard for special mention.
Caesar’s household is not the members of the family of Caesar. They are not his kin. The imperial guard was the institution that chose the Caesar. Paul led many of these men to Christ while in prison. The Philippians had a part in their salvation by their support of the apostle. The Praetorian Guard (one of the most powerful political institutions of the Roman empire, 1:13) gives greeting to this motley little church in Philippi!!
No wonder Paul could say that what had happened to him advanced the gospel (1:12). If the Praetorian Guard could live for Christ in that institution, we can live for Christ in school, business, police force.
Principle: God uses the weak to win the strong.
Application: Sometimes we preempt God’s work in our lives. We under value what God can do through us. A false belief among some is that God could never use them to reach people more intelligent, more wealthy or more important than they are. “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (I Cor. 1:27). If God can use a jail-bird to reach the Praetorian Guard, he can use us. If God can use the Philippians to facilitate world evangelism in the first century, he can do that through us in the twenty-first century.
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Philippians 4:21-22

Published on April 11, 1996 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.”
 
Now we come to the conclusion and farewell of the book of Philippians (4:21-23).4:21
Greetings come from a number of sources. First, Paul sends his own greeting.
4:21
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.
Final greetings come to the Philippians from Paul, from his fellow workers, from other believers and from the Praetorian Guard.
“Every saint” means every individual believer in Philippi. No matter how humble that believer may be, he wanted to make sure they received his greeting. Every individual receives his greeting. No one is unimportant to him.
4:22
The brethren who are with me greet you.
Paul’s companion greets the Philippians. This is the second greeting. They were probably Paul’s traveling companions such as Timothy.
all the saints greet you
The third category of people who greet the Philippians are the “saints.” “All the saints” is probably the believers in the church at Rome (1:1).We will study the fourth and last greeting, the greeting from a powerful political force in the Roman empire, next time.
Greetings are characteristic of Paul’s letters. He was considerate of people. He loved people.
Principle: Greeting shows consideration of others.
Application: Thoughtfulness of people is a core value of Christianity. Today when you pass by others, will you honor their presence with a greeting? Will you show interest in others and their concerns? Is everyone in your purview important to you, no matter how “insignificant” to others they may be?
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Philippians 4:20

Published on April 10, 1996 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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“Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
 
Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
God is glorified unto eternity for the contents of the whole book of Philippians. God is glorified, for example, by his provisions for Paul and the Philippians themselves. Ascription of glory to God recognizes his nature and attributes.”
Amen” means it is true. Paul affirms the truth of the wonder of God.
The ultimate test of whether something is worthwhile is whether it brings glory to God. Paul’s jail term brought glory to God.
Principle: God’s glory is the ultimate purpose for creation.
Application: The purpose for our life centers on God himself. God is the end of creation, not man. If you are sick today, glorify God in your sickness. If you face a mundane day, reflect the greatness of God and he will change the mundane to eternal purpose. No adversity is without opportunity to glorify God. All blessings of one’s life are opportunities to magnify the greatness of God.
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Philippians 4:19b

Published on April 9, 1996 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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“and my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
 
according to his riches in glory
God will supply their need according to the standard of his own wealth. The words “according to” mean according to the norm or standard. The standard is the limitless wealth of God in eternity. God gives out of the capital of his grace in eternity.
God will supply their need not “out of” his riches but “according to” his riches. God will supply riches in ratio to his personal wealth. If I have two million dollars and you asked me for two hundred dollars and I gave you the two hundred, I would give out of my two million, not according to my two million. I would not give in ratio to my two million.
God does not operate on human standards. We cannot bribe God. Some people want fame, wealth or a beautiful girl. They feel that if they give, God will give them what they want. They treat God like a genie. God, however, does not operate on a barter system. The Philippians did not approach God like that. They gave out of love for the Lord and Paul.
God guarantees to supply all need of those who faithfully give to the cause of Christ. God will dispense (“supply”) riches in abundance.
Note the contrasts in this passage: “You met Paul’s need; I will bless you according to my riches. You supplied one of my needs; I will supply all of your needs. You supply out of poverty; I will dispense out of my riches in glory. You supplied by the hand of Epaphroditus; I will supply by Christ.”
by Christ Jesus
God administers his supply to the giver through Jesus Christ.
Principle: What God gives corresponds with his capacity.
Application: God meets the financial status of the believer, not “out of” his wealth, but “according to” his wealth.
Do you believe that God’s reimbursement to you will be in commensurate with his eternal riches? Do you believe that God will reward you according to that which befits his wealth? This passage is a promise that God will reimburse you on a scale worthy of his wealth.
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Philippians 4:19

Published on April 8, 1996 in Philippians. 27 Comments
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“And my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
 
This verse is a popular verse often quoted out of context.
and my God shall supply all your need
The “and” indicates that v.19 is an outcome of what he has just said. This paragraph treats God’s faithfulness in using the Philippians to meet the financial needs of Paul in jail. The Philippians met Paul’s need. Now God will meet their need. This is a quid pro quo. God used the Philippians to meet Paul’s need in jail. God will also meet the Philippian’s ability to give. What affects Paul affects God. God will exchange compliments. God is faithful to his people. He will not stand in debt to his people.
The context of God meeting our financial needs is in the environment of our meeting the needs of others. In verse 18 the Philippians gave an acceptable sacrifice that was a sweet smelling aroma to God. If everything is flowing out and nothing flowing in, the Philippians will themselves be put in jeopardy financially. God will not allow those who give sacrificially to go in want. We cannot out give God. He has a bigger shovel.
The promise here is that God will supply “all” the needs of the Philippians, not just some of them. God’s supply is comprehensive of every type of need. Whether our need is temporal or spiritual, God will meet it.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
“Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread” (Ps. 37:25).
“Honor the Lord with our possession,
And with the firstfruits of all you increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.”
(Pv 3:9,10).
Principle: God supplies our need when we meet someone else’s need.
Application: God will commemorate sacrificial giving. Are you generous with others? Are you a stingy person? Is the reason you hang onto your money so; is that you do not believe that God will supply your need? Do you believe that God will “resupply” you if you give to his cause? God’s commemorative giving does not apply to every believer. It only applies to those who have given sacrificially. Do you believe God will reimburse your generosity?
 
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Philippians 4:18d

Published on April 7, 1996 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”
 
The third and last description of giving that glorifies God is that it pleases him — “Well pleasing to God.”
Well pleasing to God
The sacrifice of giving pleases God. The words “well pleasing” are used in Hebrews 13:15,16 regarding the sacrifices as here, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name (this is a verbal sacrifice). But do not forget to do good and to share (give money), for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Principle: We please God both with our lips and our giving.
Application: Are you in the business of pleasing God? One way to please God is giving to the cause of Christ.
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Philippians 4:18c

Published on April 6, 1996 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”
 
Three descriptions of an offering that glorifies God is set forth in this verse:
 
1. “A sweet-smelling aroma”
2. “An acceptable sacrifice”
3. “Well pleasing to God.”
Today we come to the second description–”An acceptable sacrifice.”
an acceptable sacrifice
This sacrifice was first acceptable to Paul then it was acceptable to God. When we give to God’s servants, it pleases God. If we find anything in the Bible that pleases God we should take note of it. If we want to please God, we should give financially to God’s work. Children who have enough sense to please their parents undergo an easier life. It would not be so difficult to extract $10 from their parents. If we would learn this lesson about God, we would find that he is favorably inclined toward us.
The word sacrifice means “to slay.” This is not the act of sacrifice but “the thing slain.” In the Old Testament this word was used of animal sacrifices. Their gift was a sacrifice. (2 Cor. 8:1-5) They gave out of poverty. Here it is a money sacrifice that is acceptable to God.
This “acceptable sacrifice” is propitious (satisfying) to God. He regards our offering of money with favor.
Principle: When we give, we give not only to God’s servants but to God himself.
Application: Giving to people who minister is a sacrifice to God. Monetary sacrifice praises God. God puts a premium on giving that comes from love.
God deems money given to God’s servants as a sacrifice to himself. It rejoices the heart of God. God gives us the responsibility to glorify himself with our resources. We glorify him, not only with our surplus, but with every dime we own. The money he gives us is not ours, but his and ours. The service of giving to the cause of Christ not only encourages and advances the cause of Christ, but it is an act of worship. God takes pleasure in this.
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Philippians 4:18b

Published on April 5, 1996 in Philippians. 1 Comment
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“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”
 
a sweet-smelling aroma
 
Paul does not specify what gifts they sent from Philippi. He simply describes them. The first description–“a sweet-smelling aroma.”
 
The Philippian gift impacts both upon Paul and God. Paul welcomes the gift as an act of God upon him. He highly regards the gift because God’s hand was in it.
The gift also impacts God. It was a “sweet-smelling aroma” to God. “A sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice” is Old Testament language taken from the Levitical offerings (Ex 29:18; Ezek 10:41; Gen 8:21; Lev 1:9,13,17; 2:12).. Their gift smells sweet to God. It has the fragrance of perfume to God. This is an offering that pleases God.
There were two types of sacrifices in the Old Testament: 1. Sacrifice for sin. 2. Sacrifices that bring worship. The second usage (worship) is the idea in this passage. God accepts our contributions to his cause as praise and thanksgiving to his name.
“Sweet-smelling aroma” is also used of Christ’s offering up of himself upon the altar of the cross,
“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Eph. 5:2)
We have an idiom in the English language that says, “Something does not smell right here.” That is a negative image. “Sweet-smelling aroma” has a positive connotation. This offering smelled good to Paul and to God.
Principle: Giving is an act of worship.
Application: We worship when we give to the work of Jesus Christ. That is why it smells sweet to God. Do you please God by giving to his work as an act of worship? When you drop your offering into the offering plate, are you consciously doing it as an act of worship? When you write a check to a servant of God, are you doing it as an act of worship?
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Philippians 4:18

Published on April 4, 1996 in Philippians. 2 Comments
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“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”
 
Indeed
 
Paul is still concerned lest the Philippians mistake his talk about money as a lobby for more.
 
I have all and abound
The money that the Philippians sent was ample for his needs in jail. The word “have” is another business term. It is a technical term meaning to draw up a receipt. Literally it means “to have in full.” This term carries the idea of paid in full. It means to receive a sum and give a receipt. Paul received full payment from the Philippians. He acknowledges their gift. This statement is their receipt marked “paid in full.”
The payment was not only made in full but it was more than enough–”abound.” It not only supplied his need, it went beyond his need. Paul views himself in prosperity while sitting in jail! He has more than enough to satisfy his needs.
This phrase is an acknowledgment of God’s providential care of Paul. Trust in a God who cares, grows as we experience God’s care.
I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you
Epaphroditus carried the gift of money from Philippi to Paul in Rome. (2:25-30) That gift he describes as “I have all and abound…I am full….” He received full payment and had a surplus in his bank account. The Greek indicates that he viewed filling as his status quo. There is no ingratitude on Paul’s part.
The two words “from” in the above phrase indicate appreciation for the kindness of both Epaphroditus and the church.
Principle: Giving is a barometer of our spiritual condition.
Application: Some of us have the attitude that if we had more, we would give more. The Philippian attitude was to give more first. If we wait to give more, we probably will not give more. We must begin with what we have, with what God has given us. Then God will enable us to do yet more.
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