Archive for the 'Philippians' Category

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Philippians 1:20

Published on October 16, 1995 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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"according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death."
 
In verse 20 Paul reveals how he establishes his poise and bearing in hardship.
 
according to my earnest expectation and hope
“According to” means according to norms. This is a norm by which he lives. This is his spiritual aspiration.” Earnest expectation” is an intense compound term of three words in the Greek: away from, head, look. Literally it means to stretch the head away from the body to look; the head bent forward to see something; a looking away towards something. It is an intense term for concentration. It means to anticipate by watching very carefully for something.
This word is used for a sentry watching in the dark. He strains to see the enemy. He is waiting to see the slightest movement.
What is Paul intensely concentrating upon? He wants to magnify Christ in his life. He is ardent when it comes to that. This is the focus of his whole bearing. He is attentive to anything that even slightly reflects poorly upon the Lord Jesus.
Very few people have the ability to focus and concentrate for long periods of time. One major reason why we do poorly in our jobs, school and other enterprises is lack of concentration. A quality Christian life takes concentration. A football player who does not listen to the play in the huddle will break up the play. A Christian who does not focus upon orienting every aspect of his life to Christ will live with short-term, short-sighted and limited ends in view.
“Hope” in the Greek means more than “wish.” It carries the idea of confidence in the ultimate outcome. Paul is taking a look at his entire life to the very end. At the end of his life he does not want to be ashamed of how his life reflected upon the Lord Jesus. He did not want to have any regrets at the end of his life. Up to this point he had no regrets. Now he wants to finish strongly.
Principle: Paul lived his life with an ultimate regulative life principle.
Application: The focus of many Christians is pleasure, sensual indulgence, money, selfishness, power, flattery. People who live like this simply mark segments of time. They live with no ultimate orientation in view. We need to live with eternal values in view.

 

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Philippians 1:19

Published on October 15, 1995 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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"For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ."
 
 
Now Paul turns to the subject of his attitude toward imprisonment and death. He viewed everything from the viewpoint of his purpose on earth from God’s Word. That gave him stability and strength. When a person has stability they have courage and confidence.
 
Paul is about to face trial. If he is found guilty he will face death. Yet in the face of such ominous circumstances he is calm. Verse 19 gives three reasons for Paul’s confidence for his deliverance from prison.
 
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance
 
The "this" refers to the preceding section, "Christ is preached." "Deliverance" means, in this context, deliverance from prison, not the salvation of the soul. The preaching of the gospel with new intensity both by him and the Romans will contribute to his release from prison. This is the best way to conquer social problems–win people to Christ.
 
through your prayer
 
This is the second reason for Paul’s confidence that he will be released from prison. 
 
Prayer from the Philippian church is one thing upon which Paul could rest. Can our Christian leaders count on us to pray for them? If you are a leader, can you lean on the prayers of people in your organization? Do people think enough of you to pray for you? It is a wonderful thing to trust people enough to pray for us.
 
It was obvious that the Philippians loved Paul. They cared enough for him to send Epaphroditus over hundreds of hazardous miles. He almost lost his life in the process.
 
and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ
 
This is the third reason why Paul felt the would be delivered from prison. The "supply of the Spirit" means the Holy Spirit. This is a functional title for the Holy Spirit (what he does). The Holy Spirit will move providentially upon the authorities in Rome so that they will be disposed to release him.
 
The word "supply" was used for a wealthy person who bore the expenses of a city-state drama choir. These productions were very expensive. It took someone very wealthy to pick up the tab. God, who is incalculably wealthy, provided the "supply" of the Spirit so that Paul could continue living.
 
PRINCIPLE: Paul was a person of confidence because he placed that confidence in something solid–truth.
 
APPLICATION: Do you place your confidence in truth? Adversity is where we find whether we have that confidence in God’s truth. Poise in set back has its root in the Word.
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Philippians 1:18

Published on October 14, 1995 in Philippians. 1 Comment
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"What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."
 
Verse 18 is the conclusion to the paragraph dealing with motives. Two more motives are treated: "pretense" and "truth."
"What then" 
A conclusion is drawn. We would say, "so what?"
"Only that in every way"
Paul did not care much about form or methods. His heart was to elevate the gospel. Paul did not concern himself even with motives as along as Christ was preached. God can even use carnality to advance the gospel, as here–"pretense."
"whether in pretense or in truth Christ is preached"
"Pretense" means to cover the real motive and present others with a false idea. This is an attempt to disguise true motives. They used Christ as a cover for their lust for power and "selfish ambition." Paul did not condone their cunning. However, he did approve of their preaching Christ. Notwithstanding their motive, they were preaching the gospel. He had a single eye for his purpose (appointed) on earth. Salvation of souls was more important to him than some perceived rivalry with him. "Truth" is to preach without false motivation in this context. What you see is what you get. A person whose motive and message are the same is a person with integrity. This is a person with no ulterior motives.
"and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."
"I rejoice" is present tense. "While I sit in jail I am rejoicing over the fact that Christ is preached." "Will rejoice" indicates his purpose to continue to rejoice no matter what may come his way. Paul’s point is that the people who were trying to hurt him were contributing to his joy! Paul had such deep appreciation for the work of Jesus Christ upon the cross nothing could alter his focus. Christ’s death upon the cross, his resurrection, ascension, and glorification were so dominant in this thinking that nothing tawdry daunted him.
Principle: God turns cursing into blessing.  
Application: Paul’s foes were out to compete with him, to diminish him. Instead, he was blessed. Are the people who are attempting to make your life miserable succeeding? Are they controlling your happiness or unhappiness? Is it possible for you to be independent from your antagonists? Paul was. Paul did not concern himself with their motives. That is why cursing was turned into blessing in his life.
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Philippians 1:17

Published on October 11, 1995 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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"but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel"
 
In verses 15 and 16 Paul’s lists both proper and improper motives. In verse 17 Paul sets forth another proper motive–"but the latter out of love."
Paul has just made the point that some Christian workers in Rome were seeking to rub salt into his wounds (his prison experience) by bragging about their successes in ministry. They were envious about the way the Praetorian Guard responded to Paul.
but the latter out of love,
Love is the second valid motive. The first good motive was "good will" of verse 15. Love is an advance on good will.
"Of" in "of love" is source. Love is the source (motive) for what they do. Wolf packs turn on their own when one falls in the fray. Christians often shoot their wounded as well.
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal" (I Co. 13:1). Preaching without love is just a lot of noise. Preaching like that is just sound and fury but without integrity.
knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel
Paul saw his purpose as defending the gospel. Note the emphasis upon the gospel in this chapter:
·          "fellowship in the gospel" (v.5)
·          "confirmation of the gospel" (v.7)
·          "furtherance of the gospel" (v.12)
·          "defense of the gospel" (here)
Paul was greatly exercised about advancing the gospel. Paul viewed himself as "appointed" for the gospel. He knew his mission. He saw himself clearly in God’s plan of world evangelism
PRINCIPLE: Love finds its source in viewing things from God’s perspective.
APPLICATION: The reason some Romans loved Paul was that they knew God had appointed him to advance the gospel. Love found its source in viewing things from God’s perspective.
Is love more than maudlin sentimentalism to you? Does your love find its source in God’s viewpoint? Does your love have content? Are you in love with people who are advancing the gospel? How are you expressing that love?
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Philippians 1:16b

Published on October 11, 1995 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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"The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;"

 

supposing to add affliction to my chains.

The reason they were preaching Christ from "selfish ambition" and impure motives was they wanted to add to Paul’s affliction in jail! They wanted to rub salt into his wounds.

Possibly, they would come to Paul in jail and brag about the numbers of people who were coming to Christ in their ministry. Maybe they would even leave the impression that he was in jail because something was wrong with his life. They were spiritual; he was carnal.

They would watch to see if he turned green with envy. But they did not know the caliber of his soul. Paul was not jealous, in fact, he thanked God that the gospel was preached (v.18).

PRINCIPLE: Caliber of soul transcends malice.

APPLICATION: Some people do not preach the gospel with pure motives; they are malicious with their message. Recipients of this malice need to be people with a caliber of soul. Do you put yourself at the mercy of malice? Are you independent from people who try to hurt you?
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Philippians 1:16

Published on October 11, 1995 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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"The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains.”
 
 
Verse 15 marked three motives for preaching the gospel. Verse 16 assigns three more negative motives. 
 
The former preach Christ from selfish ambition
 
Christ is preached but from the motive of "selfish ambition." These words in the Greek originally meant a person who works for hire. To many, to work for hire was demeaning since he worked for his own interests. Instead of working for the good of the group this person worked for himself. Also, it was used in a political sense; it had the idea of party-making. It denotes pursuing political office by unfair means. This person would plot and scheme to reach his ends. Intrigue was the name of the game.  
 
This is a person who is out for his personal approbation. He operates on power lust. This motivation causes strife, contention and discord. It is an expression of enmity. It is the desire to fight back. They had the spirit of rivalry; they had a argumentative spirit.
 
not sincerely
 
"Sincerely" means "pure," in this context, pure intentions. To not to be pure is to blend something impure with something pure. They had a pure message but added something impure to it. It is a arresting idea that God can bless the gospel preached from impure motives. Later, Paul says that he rejoiced that the gospel was preached by these people (v.18).
 
When we give the message of Jesus Christ with impure motives it is like mixing gas and water. To put a gallon of gas into the tank of your car is one thing, to put a gallon of water into it as well is another. To preach the gospel is one thing; to preach the gospel with impure motives is another. Impure motives have been placed into the pure gospel. This dilutes the gospel to some extent. It distorts it power because what is preached does not line up with the way it is preached.
  
PRINCIPLE: Some people do not preach the gospel with pure motives; they are malicious while even in ministry. 
 
APPLICATION: Some people do not preach the gospel with pure motives but are malicious in undermining others in ministry. Recipients of this malice need to be people with a caliber of soul. Do you put yourself at the mercy of malice? Are you independent from people who try to hurt you?
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Philippians 1:15

Published on October 10, 1995 in Philippians. 2 Comments
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“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill.”
 
In Prison Paul had two sorts of opposition, both from without and from within. Antagonism from without came from Roman authorities. Animosity from within came from the church! And this from a church that Paul said their “faith was spoken of throughout the world.”
Beginning at verse 15 and running through verse 17 Paul catalogs incentives for preaching the gospel. Their message was the same (thank God!) but their motive was different.
“Some indeed preach Christ”
They all preached Christ. They were not preaching Moses or Abraham. They were outstanding men of God but they were not Christ. Jesus was more than a man, he was the “great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13). He stands like a majestic skyscraper over a shack.
“even from envy and strife”
“Envy and strife”–what a blend of motives with which to preach! The word “from” means “because of” (motives). The message was fine but the motive was something else!
Envy is the feeling of disapproval by hearing the successes of others. This term is always used in the negative or evil sense in the New Testament. Some preachers in Rome evidently resented Paul’s success in ministry.
It takes maturity to rejoice in the success of others. Immaturity constantly compares self with others. Juvenile Christians are intimidated by the accomplishments of others.
Envy not only means to desire to have what someone else has but to seek to deprive another person of what they have. In other words, in some way envy seeks to diminish the accomplishments of others. If a church in town is blessed with significant growth, another church may say “all they are concerned about is numbers.” Envy never builds up; it always lessens the person who exercises it. “Envy is rottenness to the bones” (Proverbs 14:30); envy will rot the core of our person.
When people feel diminished by the success of others there is a corollary that always comes with this–strife. Strife is an expression of enmity. These two evils are stitched together in James 3:16, “For where envy and self-seeking (strife) exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” People try to outdo and eclipse others where there is envy in motivation.
Churches are often neutralized because of this deadly combination. Think of a church full of people threatened by everybody else. Strife is inevitable.
“and some also from good will”
“Good will” means a kind purpose. Thank God some in the church at Rome had good motives. The word “from” here means “because of” as well. These people did not have a twisted sense of ill will at Paul’s achievements.
Principle: Motivation is crucial because if false motivation drives us it distorts our maturity.
Application: Paul had no bed of roses in Rome. Small jealousies tried to undermine him. Paul stood independent from these hurts. He did not retaliate with distortions of his own. Is immature motivations distorting your soul and keeping you from being what God wants you to be? Is your motivation to gain approbation from others? In your ministry do you try to impress?
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Philippians 1:14

Published on October 9, 1995 in Philippians. 4 Comments
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"And most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear.”
 
We come to the second result of Paul’s imprisonment. The first result spread the gospel all over the Roman Empire–a number of the Praetorian guard came to Christ. The second result impacted the Christians of Rome.
In Rome the church lived their Christianity with caution and care. They would take no chances; they shirked from sharing their faith. Yet they were already ready to say “we told you so.” Their insecurities were obvious.
“And most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains,”
The phrase “having become confident” means to “receive confidence.” Paul’s testimony impacted them so powerfully that they derived confidence from it.
“are much more bold”
Boldness in Rome took some courage. A person could risk imprisonment or even death. There was open season on Christians. This issued a timid and mousy witness. They were not sure of themselves. They were afraid of what might happen if they ran afoul of Roman authority.
Christians today often are mousy and afraid to share their faith with far less consequence than the Romans. We are apologetic and quiet about our faith. We are afraid to hurt feelings. We do not want to speak up so that the issues are clear–heaven and hell.
The word “are” is continual action in the Greek. Their boldness became a pattern. Previously Paul had written to the Romans “that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8). Evidently they did witness previously but it had become intermittent and anemic. They were cautious because they were afraid. But here they established a patter of “much more” boldness.
To be bold is one thing. To be more bold is another. Yet, to be much more bold is another. Paul’s testimony had a mighty impact on advancing the gospel among Christians!
Why were they bold? Because they “received confidence” from Paul’s witness in prison. They saw that he was always on the move when it came to sharing his faith. He had another ministry in prison. We often are quick to find excuses for not sharing our faith; Paul was alert to every opportunity.
“to speak the Word without fear.”
Fear disappeared from their witness. The prayer of the church shortly after it began was “grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29).
One of the least common denominators in witnessing is boldness. If we are not confident of what we are sharing we are dead in the water before we begin. People will know that we do not believe what we are saying.
PRINCIPLE: Confidence vanquishes fear.
APPLICATION: Paul’s great model of sharing his faith under adversity and winning some of the Praetorian guard to Christ encouraged Christians to share their faith.Are we a witness to Christians? Do we model the dynamics of witnessing for our faith?
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Philippians 1:13

Published on October 8, 1995 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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"So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;”
 
Now we come to the results of God’s sovereignly placing Paul in prison. There are two results, two ways his adversity advanced the cause of Christ.
  • The impact his imprisonment had on non-Christians, v13.
  • The effect his incarceration had upon believers, v14.
Today we examine the first result.
“So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest”
“So that” is a result clause.
Paul had become a celebrated prisoner. He was renowned not because he had committed a crime; he was notable because of his testimony. He was in jail for Jesus’ sake.
The “palace guard” was the Praetorian Guard. This group was instituted by Augustus Caesar. They were the emperor’s private bodyguard. They were an elite troop. Eventually they became the king makers; they appointed the Caesar. As Rome conquered the nations of the world these men were appointed to rule over them. Obviously this band of men was strategic in the Roman Empire.
Paul had become a famous prisoner to the Praetorian Guard. Some of these men came to trust Christ as their Savior. Note the last chapter, “All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household” (4:22). Paul was able to reach a segment of society normally out of reach of most Christians of the time. The conventional arm of the church could not reach these men. No wonder God had a design for his imprisonment! After these men came to Christ they went throughout the empire sharing their faith. Paul had multiplied himself strategically in the Roman Empire.
Evidently the church at Rome was typically ineffective in reaching these men. Paul came to Rome as a prisoner and was able to evangelize this Praetorian guard. He had a captive audience. One guard at a time was chained to him. Each shift he had a new opportunity to share Christ. Can you imagine the talk of the barracks? “Have you been chained to that Paul yet? Boy, are you going to get an ear full! All he can talk about is that Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection for our sins.”
Paul was an effective witness one man at a time. That is where most Christian fail–one-on-one testimony. The most effective way to reach people for Christ is one on one. I doubt that any of the Praetorian guard attended any of the stated services of the church in Rome or any evangelistic services. We are the best witness to our relatives, neighbors and friends. We are the best Christian some people know; it may be that we are the only Christian some people know.
“that my chains are in Christ”
Paul never lost perspective that it was not the Roman Empire which placed him in jail. He was not a prisoner of Caesar but of Jesus Christ. The sovereign hand of God put him there.
PRINCIPLE: We share our faith best one-by-one.
APPLICATION: Each solder presented to Paul a fresh opportunity to preach Christ to a strategic group of people in the Roman Empire. Because of Paul’s confinement he was able to multiply himself many times. They gospel spread much faster because of it. Are you sharing your faith one on one?
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Philippians 1:12c

Published on October 7, 1995 in Philippians. 0 Comments
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"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things whichhappened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,"
 
Today we come to the last phrase of verse twelve.  This is the reason for the sovereign hand of God upon Paul.
for the furtherance
The word “furtherance” was used to refer to a group of people who cut brush and trees down in an impenetrable forest before an advancing army.  The word means literally “to cut down in advance.”
The point here is that “the things which happened” to Paul “advanced” the gospel.  The adverse circumstances were the divine wood cutters.  How could losing his liberty by imprisonment “advance” the gospel?  He was chained to a Roman guard.  He had what appear to us handicaps to preach the gospel.  He was no longer free to roam the Roman Empire.  But to Paul these hindrances were stepping stones to further the gospel throughout the Empire.
Paul had traveled thousands of miles to advance the gospel, how can he now say that the gospel has advanced while he is in prison?  He is now in one location.  He does not have a great number of contacts with non-Christians.
As we will see in the next verse, he led some strategic people in the Roman Empire to the Lord Jesus.  Instead of one person carrying the gospel to the Empire, it is now a number of people.  These were people of great influence politically.  Instead of everyone banking on Paul to do the strategic evangelism, now his number has multiplied.  One of the most important things that ever happened to Paul was that he was put into jail.  The number of people dispersing the gospel has multiplied. 
Going into prison he thought that his missionary career was ruined.  It seemed to him as if his years in jail were going to be wasted.  But God overruled the Roman Empire!  God expanded his number.  Many more people came to Christ as a result.
of the Gospel
In verse 5 we have the phrase “fellowship in the gospel,” in verse 7 “confirmation of the gospel” and now “furtherance of the gospel.”  The gospel is one of the cardinal reasons for our taking up space on earth.  What part have we played in the furtherance of the gospel?  God is far more interested in the furtherance of the gospel than he is politics.  Are we coupled to the Great Commission?  The reason Paul could recognize God plan for his imprisonment is that it advanced the gospel.
When we get to the Judgment Seat of Christ, God is not going to ask us how well we manicured our lawns.  He is going to ask us what part we played in advancing the cause of Christ.  Obviously God wants us to care for our lawns, if only for our neighbor’s mental health!  It is a question of majoring on majors.  However, we often major on minors.  We make much ado about things of little consequence.  We squander our energies.  We prostitute our time making religious daisy chains.
PRINCIPLE: God’s plans to use us to transcend our ability to anticipate, from a finite perspective, the global strategy of reaching those without Christ.
APPLICATION: God has factored adversity into our lives.  This often makes no sense to us but nevertheless advances the gospel.Are you absorbed in advancing the gospel?  Have you placed yourself in the infinite hands of God to get the gospel out?

 

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