Last updated on December 12, 2024
Paul must be delighted to finally write a letter to the church in Philippi. From the moment he met so many of them during his second missionary journey, they have been so dear to him. Some of them apparently have great wealth, but it’s more than just that. They are thoughtful. They understand that Paul has given up so much in order to spread the message of Jesus. They have heard all that he has gone through, and they understand that they have the means to help him.
The church in Philippi has now sent funds to Paul four times. This is one of the reasons they are so dear to Paul. But it’s not the main reason. The main reason is that he feels like a proud parent. When he met them, they had never heard the name Jesus. But they believed what Paul said, and they trusted Jesus. And this message infiltrated their hearts and lives in powerful ways.
It’s been a little over a decade since this church was planted. Paul says that every time they cross his mind, his only response is thanksgiving to God for what he has done in their lives. And it then turns to prayer.
So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11
Paul then shares how Christ’s humility should impact theirs. He says…
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death – and the worst kind of death at that – a crucifixion.
Philippians 2:5-8
He goes on to exclaim the importance that it was because of his humility and obedience that Christ is seated at the right hand of God and is the ultimate recipient of all creation’s worship.
He wants these friends to see Christ as their example. And he too wants to be an example to them. Paul is writing this letter while under house arrest in Rome. He’s not broken any laws. He’s done what God has called him to do. And it’s good work. Yet he’s experiencing suffering as a result. But he wants them to know that he praises God nonetheless. He sees God’s hand in the midst of his suffering.
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