M-294 Joy in Prayer (half sheets)

Intro: Tonight we begin a study in the book of Philippians. There has never been any real question doubting that Paul was the author of this Letter to the Philippians. There only question concerning the integrity of the letter is that some have thought that perhaps it was actually part of two different letters... this is based on the rather sudden change of tone between 3:l and 3:2. In 3:1 Paul has said finally... and then in 3:2 rather abruptly begins again “Beware…” This however, should not make us insist that there have been two letters combined... Paul no doubt was dictating this letter... and possibly someone brought in disturbing news… which caused him to add these further thoughts... this s not the only time that a similar thing has happened. 0f more interest to us perhaps would be the questions... where and when was this letter written? In four of the epistles... we have indication given that they were written in prison (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 5:20; Phil. 1:7, 3,14; Col. 4:18; and Phil 9) The question that is so often asked then.. is were they all written at the same time from the same prison or from different imprisonments? and From what prison were they written? In the book of Acts we have 3 different times mentioned when Paul was in prison.. .Philippi, Caesarea, and Rome. Paul was only in prison overnight in Philippi so could not have written it there, the book of Philippians was written when Paul was expecting or anticipating a speedy release... but when Paul was in Caesarea, he was looking forward to the long Journey to Rome and his trial there. This would seem to leave Rome... But many have also suggested that Paul was also imprisoned in Ephesus. Scripture does not mention this particular time... but Paul in II Cor. 11:21 speaks of many imprisonments and this was before he had even been in Caesarea and Rome. There are various suggestions of interpretations which are more meaningful lf we allow that the letter was written from Ephesus, but probably the most significant argument is the distance factor. It would seem that there were at least four or more-trips involved between Paul and the Philippians. It would take probably a month or more to travel from Rome to Philippi while the trip to Ephesus could be made in only two weeks or so... The terms praetorian 1:13 and the household of Caesar have often been thought to indicate only Rome... however they were sometimes used of the official residence of the governor of a providence... Still Rome would be the more obvious reference. The one thing which I believe must almost certainly refer to Rome is the fact that while Paul was expecting a speedy release... he was also aware of the possibility of death...1:20. This could have only taken place in Rome... for in another instance Paul could have always have appealed to Caesar as he did ln Caesarea, when under Festus –Acts 25:11, 12. When we begin to consider why Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians, we find that there are various suggestions in the letter itself... but probably the single most important reason was that he was writing to thank them for the gift which they had sen!..4:10-19. Some of the other reasons might be to give them further news about himself and the progress in his imprisonment (1:12-26; 2:17-24), to encourage them to find in Christ joy and peace of mind (2:14,18,28: 3:1: 4:4-7); to exhort then to unity - put aside party spirit and vainglory put on humility and the spirit of self-forgetful service (1:27-30; 2:1-5; 4:2,3); to warn them against spiritual enemies, the self-righteous, the self-satisfied, and the self-indulgent (3:2-21) It would seem that the Philippians were the only congregation from which Paul received or accepted any money. they apparently had not sent him anything for a long time... but Paul does not reprimand them for this... as he said they had lacked opportunity (4:10) Now it would seem that the word had cone to then from Rome... that Paul was there in prison. Perhaps Luke had traveled back to some of the congregations and told them. They had quickly realized that Paul would soon be without funds.. (why needed??? he rented his own house in Rome and was in this way able to have a great deal more freedom to receive visitors.. preaching and writing. As quickly as possible they gathered together a collection (perhaps this is the reason that Paul singles out tire ‘bishops and deacons’ after mentioning the saints. and they sent it to Paul by the hand of their living offering - Epaphroditus, who was to minister to Paul in any way that he could. Evidently Paul did not send balk an answer right away, and after a time Epaphroditus fell sick.. nigh unto death...-- enough time passed so that the word of this sickness reached the Philippians and they have had time to send back questions concerning the situation at Rome. It would seem also that Paul is aware of the undercurrent of questions in Philippi. They were perhaps wondering.. Did Paul really appreciate the gift that was sent? Was he perhaps a little cool toward them??? Had they ln someway misunderstood him??? Paul quickly seeks to- set their minds at rest... and as we read this letter we begin to realize that it is not like any other letter which Paul has written. G. Campbell Morgan says concerning this letter, “It is of the utmost value as a revelation of Christian experience. The word sin is not mentioned. The flesh is only referred to that it may be ignored. There are no direct reproofs, the nearest approach to one being the exhortation to Euodia and Syntyche.”

There are two special characteristics of the letter which we should note… this is the most personal of any of Paul’s letters. He seems to write more as a personal friend rather than as an apostle... in fact in the opening salutation, he does not use the term Paul, an apostle as is the customary way. He reveals a great deal of the details of his life ln the biographical passage in 3:4-14. The other characteristic is one which we will return to again and again throughout our study. That is the recurring theme of Joy in this letter. The noun ‘joy’ is found 5 times. And the verb rejoice is found 11 times. We might say that this is The key word of the letter, ‘joy and rejoice’. When we remember that Paul is writing this From prison this is all the more remarkable. It was not that Paul was master of the situation nor was he simply making a show of trust for the benefit of the Philippians, but rather he was showing to them his joy and confidence in the L0RD. It is his prayer that they might rejoice with him. Paul expresses this Joy ln the first chapter in his prayer for the Philippians. We might first note that he is addressing himself to those who are Christians; “saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi”. The addition of ‘bishops and deacons’ is unique in Paul's letters. It is probably placed here because of their leadership in the collection which was sent to him.

Paul’s Thanksgiving is: 1) inspired by his memory of them, v.3; 2) is expressed in prayers for them, v.4; 3) is accompanied with joy, v.4; and 4) strengthened by the conviction that God will perfect the saints in Philippi, v.6.

Paul can be confident of these things... because he has them in his heart, v.7 and because they are partakers with him of grace / i.e. ‘divine grace v.7.

His prayer is then: 1) that their love will increase more and more w/ knowledge and judgment, 2) that they night know and approve those things which were right, 3) and that they might live blameless lives... bringing praise and honor to Christ.

As we study this letter... will you read it regularly ... studying various themes in it.

i.e. prayer, contentment and joy unity.

Next week.... we will consider Paul’s Continuing Joy... the situation in Rome... chap. 1 again?

Joy and Rejoicing in Philippians (ESV Study Bible)

Reference

Paul…

1:4 - prays with joy

1:18 - rejoices that Christ is proclaimed

1:25 - will remain living on earth, for the Philippians’ joy in the faith

2:2 - asks the Philippians to complete his joy

2:17–18 - is glad and rejoices with the Philippians

2:28 - sends Epaphroditus, that the Philippians might rejoice

2:29 - tells the Philippians to receive Epaphroditus with joy

3:1 - tells the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord

4:1 - tells the Philippians they are his joy

4:4 - tells the Philippians twice to rejoice in the Lord

4:10 - rejoiced in the Lord at the Philippians’ concern for him

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