Greetings from Paul
‘This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Paul’s Joy That Christ Is Preached
And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
Paul’s Life for Christ
For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
Live as Citizens of Heaven
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.’ Philippians 1:1-30(NLT)
Host: Welcome to Through the Word, leading you on a journey through the entire Bible, one chapter at a time. Today Kris Langham guides us through the New Testament book of Philippians. Now to Pastor Kris.
Philippians chapter 1. Remember that Philippians is a mission letter. Paul pours out his heart and his prayers for the people of Philippi, and it’s an awesome example for anyone in ministry. Then in verse 12, Paul’s changes gears:
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (Philippians 1:12).
This is the mission update part of the letter. So what’s the update? What happened to Paul? Well, a lot happened. Captured, jailed, shipwrecked, waiting trial – all for preaching Christ. Funny thing is, Paul doesn’t really bother much about what happened. His only focus is what God did with what happened. Eyes on what matters. And what matters is the advance of the gospel.
The word “advance” here literally means pioneer – opening new territory. Roman prisoners like Paul were chained to four different guards each day. Great time to share the gospel! And he had a high profile case.
And suddenly his chains were like a magic key, like his own sonic screwdriver to open closed doors for the gospel, and go right into Caesar’s court, one of the greatest platforms in the land. And many people were saved along the way!
But the Philippians have to wonder – what about Paul? What’s going to happen to their missionary? Well, Paul is confident. Inverse 19:
“I know …what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance” (1:19).
Deliverance means rescue from troubles. Paul knows he’ll make it out. Whether he will live or die, he doesn’t know, but deliverance is sure! And here in the midst of Paul’s wondering just how it will all work out, we get one incredible statement in verse 21:
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21).
That one little verse is so simple and yet so profound. It is a massive statement about the meaning of life – and the meaning of death. What it says is simple. If they let me go, I go live for Jesus. If they kill me, I go to Jesus. To live is Christ, to die is gain. They’re both good. So I can’t lose.
That part is easy. But the verse is huge. “To live is Christ.” Why does Paul have such an incredible attitude about such a crazy endless trial of a life? Because life is Christ. Like Paul told the Colossians, Jesus is your life (Colossians 3:4). And now Paul says, “to die is gain.” Amazing. And the two must go together – death is only gain if life is Christ.
Here’s a good challenge. Get a paper – journal, tablet, whatever – and write this down:
To live is _____(leave a blank), and to die is______(leave another blank).
Then consider the blanks, and decide what goes where. Use a pencil, and write in a few options. But remember, only the first blank is your choice. The second blank is determined by the first.
If to live is money, then to die is… loss. If to live is gaming, then to die is…game over. Fill in the blanks a few times. Then write the sentence from the beginning, “For to me,to live is…”– and fill in the blanks for your life, and be honest. What is your life, and what is your death? Paul made his decision. To live is Christ. The last part of the chapter changes gears from mission update to marching orders. Verse 27:
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27).
Some things are out of our control. Paul can’t force the outcome of his trial, and neither can his friends in Philippi. But they can control how they live, so live worthy of the gospel.
As you read Paul’s words, it is striking just how much worth he does place on the gospel. The message of Christ is worth living for and worth dying for. So don’t just deliver it, walk worthy of it.
So what does it take to walk worthy of the eternal gospel? Come back in chapter 2.
While you’re waiting, read chapter 1 for yourself, and spend some time considering how you’ll fill in that blank. As for me, I decided a long time ago. To live is Christ.
Host: Thanks for joining us for today’s quick audio guide. You can find the full audio guide for this chapter and hundreds more on the Through the Word app and website. Our apps are free and free to share, so tell your friends and take the journey together. And remember, faith comes by hearing, and hearing Through the Word (Romans 10:17).
Bible quotes in NIV unless otherwise stated.
from Philippians Explained | I Can Do All Things Through Christ