Philippians: Continual Rejoicing
Paul’s letter to the Philippians was sent to the first Christian Church he planted in Europe. His first visit to this city was on his second missionary journey, and he was accompanied by Silas and Timothy and probably Luke (
Acts 16) The city of Philippi, a Roman colony, in Macedonia, probably had very few Jews in its population. Persecution of the missionaries at Philippi had risen from Gentile sources. Only twice in the book of Acts is Gentile hostility thus manifested, and on each occasion it was because the Gospel had threatened vested financial interests. The Philippian believers had retained their first love for Paul and had helped him more than once with his financial needs. The Apostle’s gratitude is shown repeatedly in the epistle.
The church at Philippi was quite free from the many errors which called forth most of Paul’s other letters. Paul’s reasons for writing were twofold. He wished to acknowledge the receipt of financial gift delivered by Epaphroditus, and he wished to urge some of the members of the church to lay aside animosity and live in peace one with another. Written in prison by a man chained day and night to a soldier --a man with few friends in Rome, a man with numerous vocal enemies-- this letter, nevertheless, resounds with a note of joy. The word rejoice and its synonyms occur sixteen times in four short chapters.
Outline of Philippians
I. PAUL’S TRIUMPHANT EXPERIENCES (chapter 1)
Prison could not keep Paul from:
1, His Pen (1:1-8)
2. His Prayers (1:9-11)
3. His Purpose (1:12-18)
4. His Prospects (1:19-26)
5. His Pulpit (1:27-30)
II. PAUL’S TREMENDOUS EXAMPLES (chapter 2)
1. The Lord: Triumphant in Sacrifice (2:1-18)
a. The implications for Christ (2:5-11)
b. The implications for Christians (2:1-4, 12-18)
2. Timothy: Triumphant in Service (2:19-24)
3. Epaphroditus: Triumphant in Sickness (2:25-30)
III. PAUL’S TYPICAL EXHORTATIONS (chapters 3 and 4)
1. You cannot defraud a man who knows the power of proper theology (3:1-21)
2. You cannot defile a man who knows the power of positive thinking (4:1-9)
3. You cannot defeat a man who knows the power of perpetual thanksgiving (4:11-20)
IV. CONCLUSION (4:21-23)
Satan might keep a man like Paul from traveling but he can never keep him from triumphing. The epistle to the Philippians illustrates the words “more than conquerors.” There was one man in the Philippian church who knew that Paul’s emphasis on joy was real. That man was the jailer who had learned than neither chastisement nor chains could blunt the edge of Paul’s triumph in Christ. He could date his conversion from the night that Paul and Silas had sung the songs of Zion in the Philippian jail until the very foundations of the prison had rocked.’
The epistle to the Philippians gives us the key to this triumphant joy which could laugh at tribulation. “For to me to live is Christ” says Paul, “and to die is gain” (1:21). This outlook on life transformed misery into melody, prisons into palaces, and Roman soldiers into souls to be won for Christ. The first chapter of Philippians throbs with this triumph. “My bonds!” exclaimed Paul again and again. “My bonds! My bonds! Thank God for these bonds! Through these bonds the entire praetorian guard has been told of a greater king than Nero. Through these bonds many have taken courage to be bold for Christ. Yes, these very bonds have taught me to prize my prospects of an abundant entrance into the Saviour’s presence!”
Paul’s triumphs can be shared by all because of the triumph of Christ. Paul bade the saints to arm themselves with the mind of Christ and manifest the true Christian spirit. For did not Christ Himself lay aside His glory and stoop to conquer? Did He think equality with God a thing to be grasped after? Did He not rather clothe Himself with humanity, humble Himself, and become obedient unto even the death of the cross? And from this great stoop had He not been exalted on high and given the Name supreme? And were not the implications clear for all Christians? Would not those who followed in His steps experience a transformation of conduct, character, and concept? Yes indeed!
Next Paul cited the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus, who became more than conquerors in service and in sickness. He reminded the Philippians that Timothy’s service was exemplified by a true, total, and tested commitment to Christ (2:19-24). He told, too, how the sickness of Epaphroditus had affected himself and the patient, and how it should affect the Philippians too (2:25-30).
In the last two chapters Paul made some practical applications. We need a proper theology of Christ if we are to experience His triumph. “That I might win Christ,” said Paul, bringing into focus the truth of reward. “That I may know Him,” he said, underlining the truth of sanctification. “That I might apprehend,” he said, emphasizing the truth of service.
Paul showed how “positive thinking” has its place in the life of a child of God. After all, we can only think of one thing at a time. If the mind is occupied with things which are true, hones, just, pure, and lovely --things which are of good report-- then indeed virtue and praise will flow from the life.
Paul did not forget that the praising man is the prevailing man, for he closed the epistle on a note of thanksgiving, contentment, and praise. The man who has learned how to take the circumstances of life and interpret them in the light of Calvary can thank God come what may. “I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content ... I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (4:11, 13). Those who have learned this secret will not react to adverse situations but will act in triumph. They will be “more than conquerors.”
pages 237-240 of Exploring The Scriptures by John Phillips, copyright 1965
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