Philippians 1 - For Me To Live is Christ to Die is Gain!
Welcome to the book of Philippians. Before we start you may want to click on Chuck Swindoll's commentary, where he gives the historical background and the purpose for Paul's writing to the church in Philippi.
Introduction to Philippians - Insight for Living, Chuck Swindoll
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is a familiar salutation which gives us two important details. First, we see Paul's protege Timothy, who is Paul's representative to the church. Paul give Timothy the full weight and authority to act on his behalf. Paul is writing this letter from prison in Roman around 61-62 A.D.
This reminds every leader that we should be equipping someone else who can work and minister with us and eventually be released as a pastor over God's people.
Also, we see the two main leadership positions in the early church, "elders" and "deacons". The NIV uses the word "overseers" which is the same word for "elder", "bishop", or "presbyter". The idea of the word is someone who oversees the local church and protects the flock. Elders can also teach, and they use the gift of wisdom for important decisions in the church.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
This letter to the Philippians was a "thank you card" so to speak. The Philippian church was unparalleled in their support of Paul relationally and financially. They were a huge encouragement to him as well, and he was writing to encourage them back.
Verse 6 is a great memory verse, where Paul teaches them something incredibly important. He says, "He who began a good work in you will be faithful complete it!"
Though we certainly have our role to play in our faith journey, it is God who begins the work in us, and God who finishes it. Though we stray from God, He never gives up on us. Though we may run from his call on our life, His work in our lives will eventually be completed.
This is a great promise to remember. God gave you the gift of faith in Jesus, and Jesus will continue to work in your life through His Spirit until God calls you home.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
We see Paul's intimate relationship with the Philippians. He longs for them with the affection of Jesus Christ. As believers in Jesus, we have a special relationship with each other through the Holy Spirit. The bible calls it "fellowship". Whether you are with other believers in church, bible study, missions, or even socially, we enjoy relationships with each other the world doesn't get to experience. The bible also calls this "koinonia" which is fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Paul's prayer for them is that they will grow in their love for each other and those in the world. He encourages them to be pure and blameless until the day Jesus returns. Though we are often impure and do things we deserve the blame for, Paul encourages them and us to seek to be filled with the righteousness of Jesus. We are righteous, or made right with God, through Christ, but the fruit of that is our love for each other.
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Paul's imprisonment gave him the opportunity to preach the gospel to the prison guards in Rome. His faithfulness to the gospel made it clear that even though he was in literal chains, the gospel could not be chained. Because of his faithfulness in this trial, it encouraged the other believers of the authenticity of his trust in Jesus.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Paul knew there were others out there preaching in competition with him. But Paul was more interested in the gospel being preached, than his own notoriety or fame.
Paul knew that some preached because they wanted to “surpass” Paul in ministry and to promote their own name and place above Paul’s.
These people were glad Paul was imprisoned because they felt this gave them a competitive edge over him in what they considered to be the contest of preaching the gospel. They were motivated – at least in part – by a competitive spirit, which too often is common among preachers.
Paul wasn’t so critical or cynical to believe that every other preacher had bad motives. He knew that some also preached from good will. - Guzik
It is important to those of us who are pastors, teachers, and leaders in the church are not out to "make it about us." We are all predisposed to pride, and we need to keep our eyes on the cross not on our "headlines".
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
As I mentioned this was a thank you letter from Paul. Paul thanks them for their prayers for him and how these prayers helped him have courage to face his imprisonment. The Spirit of Christ was at work in him leading him to say these well known words,
"For me to live in Christ and to die is gain!"
Wow! That is a quite a statement. Paul has given us life and died to himself. In Galatians 2:20 he said,
"I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
Because of the complete surrender of his life to Jesus, he could make this bold statement. It is almost like he is sharing the dialogue which is going on in his head. He really wants to be with Jesus and be delivered from his body of death (See Romans 7:24), but he also realizes there is work to do to bring people to heaven with him.
Could you say these words? If you think about it, it is kind of freeing.
Life Worthy of the Gospel
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Paul's prayer for the Philippians is that they would conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. Though we are saved by grace through faith, we are called to live a life that is worthy of what Jesus did for us. When we live a life worthy of the gospel, Jesus' death on the cross is not in vain. Jesus' death on the cross is God's gift to us, our life lived in a manner worthy of the gospel is our gift back to him. When you think about it, it is the least we can do.
We strive for this life in good times and in bad times. When we are suffering, we are participating in the sufferings of Christ. (see 1 Peter 4:13)
As you think of Paul's words here, can you say with Paul, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain"?
As we think about what Jesus has done for and given to us, let's live a life worthy of our calling!
Remember, not just ministers are called. All those who believe in Jesus are called to share the gospel and lead a life worthy of their calling!
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