Philippians

Introduction

Open your Bible to Philippians 1:12-18. The title of the

Before we consider the text before us, let us step back and consider the letter as a whole. Philippians, like most of the New Testament, was originally occasional an document. That is something prompted Paul originally to write to the church.

Paul had a storied relationship of about ten years with the Philippian Church by the time of writing. Paul planted the church during his second mission journey. It was a strange group that made for an unlikely beginning for so healthy a church. Its first members were a young girl who had been trafficked for her spirit of divination. Lydia, a wealthy clothing entrepreneur. And the Philippian jailer along with his family. From this humble beginning, God established a local congregation.

The Apostle had a great relationship with the church that is characterized in the letter. We detect none of the terse words and tense situations as in 1/2 Corinthians and Galatians. The church supported Paul’s ministry with prayer, encouragement, and money from the beginning.

The relationship between them continued into Paul’s imprisonment. When they heard of his incarceration in Rome, they dispatched one their own to find Paul in order to encourage him in the Lord and administer much needed support. Epaphroditus was one of the members perhaps even a minister. He made the 800 mile trek to Rome and found Paul. That was no mean feat. Once united, Ephaphroditus gave encouragement from the Philippian Church and much needed financial assistance.

Their reunion was darkened though. The Philippian messenger got sick while in Rome. Almost to the point of death, Paul says. The Lord had mercy and healed the helper. Now Paul is sending him back and takes the opportunity to render thanks to the congregation by including a letter.

At its most basic, Philippians is a thank you letter. However, it is much more. Paul’s note is a statement on Christian joy. Joy and rejoicing is the major theme of it. He uses the term and derivatives over 12 times.

Our passage comes near the beginning of the letter. In the passages before, Paul issues a greeting and prays for the welfare of the church. Now he shifts to an update about his status. We must understand that the Philippians must have feared the worst about their beloved Apostle. Paul wants to alleviate their fears by sharing the glorious work God had done. What was intended for evil was used by God for His glory in the spreading of the gospel.

aWe will examine the passage today under three headings. 1.) Gospel Providence, 2.) Gospel Growth, and 3.) Gospel Joy.

Let us begin with Gospel Providence.

1. Providence (Phil. 1:12)

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

Paul begins this section of the letter with something called a “disclosure formula.” This writing technique was relatively common during his day in correspondence. We see the formula in the phrase I want you to know. Paul uses such phrases 10 times in his various letters.

What does he seek to disclose to dear friends in Philippi? He discloses to them a status update about his circumstances. Understand that the Philippians had some knowledge about Paul’s situation, but they feared the worse. Their founder and father in the faith, so to speak, was arrested, standing trial, and waiting for the verdict which could mean death. From a human standpoint, it seemed like a setback.

Paul wanted to update them and so relieve their fears. His statement was surprising, but in the nature of God’s character and working in the world. Note verse 12. (Read the verse) He states that his imprisonment and trial has not been a setback for Christianity, but rather served to advance the gospel. The word advance is quite interesting. The word is the Greek is a military term. It referred to scouts that went ahead of the force for the invasion to follow. I would liken the idea to the Old West wagon master. When the population was heading west, as part of manifest destiny, they moved by wagon train. The wagon master went in advance of the train to scout the way for the rest to advance forward.

He means that his imprisonment was not a setback or hindrance for the gospel. Instead, it was an advance into the heart of the Roman Empire, then the center of world power. Paul’s confinement was unleashing the gospel into Rome. He gives further detail in verse 13. (Read the verse)

The imperial guard was the praetorium. These were elite forces. They were sort of like green berets and secret service all rolled into one. The imperial guard were hardened Roman legion veterans. They were Caesar’s personal body guard and later would become kingmakers through coups. These tough soldiers heard the gospel and it was having a powerful effect. Philippians 4:22 states,

All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

Saints in Caesar’s household means the guards and others were hearing the gospel through Paul’s preaching and seeing the gospel through his noble suffering with the result that many were brought to faith.

What a strange mysterious way of working! What are we to make of it? Paul’s personal experience and testimony display the Doctrine of providence. Our Shorter Catechism summarizes the doctrine like this...

Q. 11. What are God’s works of providence? A. God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.

Down to the smallest details of the universe, even the minute details of our life, God governs and guides. We call this providence. The goal of providence is the glory of God through the spread of the gospel to the elect. The classic passage is Romans 8:28 which reads

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

For the called, the elect, all things work together for good and glory. Let us probe this doctrine of providence further.

Providence is gospel focused and driven.

Think of God’s providence as a river or stream that carries us along. It is liberating to know that God is sovereign and in control. We need not worry about the maybe’s or what-ifs. God is governing all things. That which He created, He also sustains and governs to His directed goal and purpose. What is that ultimate goal? Where is the stream of providence carrying all things?

Providence is directing all things towards the glory of God and exaltation of the Son. That means that providence is gospel focused and driven. Providence directed Paul to a Roman jail so the gospel could be manifested in the heart of earthly power.

It is comforting for us to apprehend this truth, but it has a caveat. God’s purposes that dictate providence are larger than yourself. God cares for you more than you can image, but He is jealous for His glory. He wants His name made large and His celebrity spread. If we were to say that of an earthly leader or demigod, it would be wrong, but when we speak this way of the Lord it is perfectly right. He magnifies Himself in the gospel of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. That means providence is directed towards His glory and not our comfort.

Providence means trials are used for good.

All can heartily agree that pleasing providences are used for good, but what about bitter and dark providences? What can we say about the trials of life?

Providence compels us to trust God.

Providence

2. Gospel Growth (Phil. 1:13-14)

13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

3. Gospel Joy (Phil. 1:15-18)

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Conclusion