Encouraging the Philippians

Philippians 1:12-26

[INTRODUCTION]

Author

Paul and Timothy

Date and Place

Paul was likely in prison in Ephesus between 52-55 AD.

Audience

The church in Philippi

Purpose

The purpose of the letter is to direct believers away from theological error and to encourage them to stand firm in the face of opposition.

Why is this important for you?

Philippians is relevant for you because you are in an environment characterized by faulty ideas of God as a divine wish granter on the one side, and as a tyrannical dictator on the other. Paul’s encouragement to avoid theological error is an invitation to think about God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible, rather than as we imagine Him to be.

Second, Paul’s encouragement to stand firm in the Spirit in the midst of opposition matters to you because you are being confronted religious persecution or with temptations to worship modern equivalents of false gods such as success, money, popularity, and power.

[THE GOSPEL]

What does gospel mean?

Good news.

What’s the good news?

Jesus died for my sins.

Why did He die for your sins?

So that I can have abundant life in relationship with Him now and forever.

Introduction

OPENING QUESTIONS

Idea #1: Talk about a day that started out poorly and just kept getting worse, or a season of life when it seemed like you just couldn't catch a break.

Idea #2: What are some examples of suffering you've seen on TV or in the news?

Idea #3: What do you think it means to suffer?

PRAY

Open your time together in prayer.

TODAY WE’LL LEARN

How can we have joy even in suffering?

How is God working in the midst of our suffering?

How can we grow in our relationship with God?

Philippians 1:12–26 (CSB)

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.

Questions for Discussion

A. WHAT?

What is Paul’s primary concern at the very beginning of this passage (1:12)?

First and foremost, Paul wants the Philippian church to know that instead of giving people a reason to doubt God because one of His servants is in jail, Paul’s imprisonment has given him an opportunity to share the gospel with even more people. Paul wants to put to rest their concerns, while also encouraging them with what God is doing in and through his life.

What are some of the results of Paul’s imprisonment as he sees them (1:13-14)?

Paul’s imprisonment has allowed, at the very least, the entire imperial guard to know the name of Christ (v. 13). Additionally, most of the Christians around Paul have gained strength and confidence through his imprisonment and are more ready to preach the gospel boldly (1:14).

Paul mentions two motives for the preaching of the gospel in verses 15-17. What are they?

Paul notes that some Christians are preaching the gospel sincerely and out of a pure heart, but some are preaching the gospel out of envy and strife, perhaps to gain recognition for themselves.

What is Paul’s response to those who preach Christ from selfish motives (1:18)?

Paul obviously would prefer these folks to preach Christ from a heart filled with good will. However, despite their heart condition, Paul feels comforted that the name of Christ is proclaimed, even if it is from poor motives.

Why is Paul rejoicing in verses 18-19?

First, Paul is rejoicing because Christ is being preached. Second, Paul is rejoicing because he knows that the adversity which he experiences will lead to his salvation. Paul is not merely saying that things will turn out okay in spite of his problems, but that his problems assist him in his Christian experience (Moises Silva, Philippians, p. 74).

What is the deliverance of which Paul is speaking here in verse 19?

Paul names both life and death as possible outcomes of his time in prison in verses 20-21. Thus, it is unlikely that he is speaking of physical deliverance in the form of being released from jail, since there is no way he can be sure of whether or not that will be the outcome. Rather, he is speaking of his eternal destiny—he knows that this suffering is serving to confirm the salvation which God has already given him in Christ.

What do you think it means when Paul says, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:21)?

He elaborates on this in the following verses. He notes that as long as he is on earth, he is engaging in fruitful labor for Christ. And yet, for him to die would be an incalculable gain, for he would be with Christ face to face.

Gaming Consoles

Are either of these things bad?

No! They both have allowed people like us to play fun games in their own times.

What’s the difference between them?

The Atari was good in its time, and it fit the purpose it was meant to serve. But the Xbox is more advanced than the Atari. It's a major upgrade!

How does this relate to what Paul is saying here?

Paul says that both to live and to die, and thus be with Christ, are both good things, serving the purpose of their time and season. Once the time comes, to die and be with Christ is the better experience—like the Xbox. But to stay and work with the Philippians is what is available to him now.

What are the benefits for the Philippians of Paul remaining alive in prison (1:24-26)?

The longer Paul remains in his earthly body, the more work he can do for Christ and the more he can preach the gospel. As he notes, as long as he is in the flesh, he can help encourage and facilitate the joy of the Philippians, and their ever deeper experience of the grace of Christ (vv. 25-26).

B. SO WHAT?

God chose to use Paul, a very emotional man, to write so much of the New Testament. What does this tell us about how God views our own strong emotions?

Paul talks a lot about emotions (fear,1:12-14; jealousy, 1:15-17; joy, 1:18-26), and he shows his own emotions. In all of this, he is acknowledging that humans are made to be emotional creatures and that our feelings are legitimate. Our strong emotions are part of our nature as bearers of God's image—emotions are not sinful in and of themselves, although sometimes they can lead to sinful responses. In fact, our relationship with God should be characterized by an emotion: joy!

Why do you think it is important that Paul has said that no matter the motivation, the preaching of Christ is a good thing? Doesn’t the posture of the heart matter?

Of course the posture of one's heart matters. However, some mention of Jesus is better than no mention of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit can still save people even through the mouth of a self-interested preacher.

What is Paul’s attitude toward adversity or suffering in this passage?

For Paul, suffering is a bummer. He is truly suffering and his joy does not diminish that. However, it serves to strengthen our relationships with Christ (1:19-20). What is more, it serves to focus the eyes of the Christian upon Christ, and upon our seeing Him face to face someday soon, no matter what our situation looks like at the current moment (1:21-26).

What does Paul mean in verse 19 when he says, “I know this will lead to my salvation…”?

It might sound like Paul believes his imprisonment is a hoop through which he must jump in order to earn his salvation. However, Paul begins this verse by saying, “I know that this will lead to my salvation…” For Paul, this imprisonment serves to advance his greatest good, the glorifying of Christ in his body (1:20). Paul’s certainty that "he who began a good work in [him] will bring it to completion" (1:6) is what gives him the security to continue to suffer well. He no longer must earn his salvation, but rather he is free to encourage others and to preach the gospel because the chains of the law are no longer on him. It is God who will sustain him and complete the work He has begun.

C. NOW WHAT?

What are some of the emotions that are a part of your Christian experience. How have they, or how do they, serve to enhance your understanding of yourself and of God?

What would it look like in your own life if you truly believed that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain”?

First, we would probably deal with much less fear. If the worst thing that this world can do to us is destroy our bodies, which would give us an incredible gain in that we would see Christ face to face, we would have no reason to fear anything that could happen to us on this earth. Thus, we would be free to do whatever the Lord has called us to, wherever he has called us.

Second, we would treasure Christ above all else. This would free us from finding our identity in grades or possessions or anything else, for Christ is the ultimate identity maker for us.

Where can we get this confidence in the gospel that Paul hopes to give the Philippians?

Perhaps regular communion with God through His Word and prayer, or regular communion with His people. Often, we are also encouraged by thinking back on all the good things God has done for us in our lives, or all of the good things God has done for others in their lives.

Main takeaway

Suffering serves to purify our joy in Christ and our desire to see Him face to face. God also wants to remind us that all pain in this life is redeemed for our good and for His glory (1:19-21). Suffering does not have the last word in God's creation.

III. Closing

REMEMBERING THE GOOD NEWS

Because of the cross and the resurrection, we can rest assured that even our suffering doesn't have the last word—God does. Christ does not save you only to leave you to fend for yourself. Christ saves you, and then keeps you through all of your experiences, both good and bad. Go in peace of the knowledge of that fact.

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Lord, we have not followed You as we ought. We've been more concerned with what we think of ourselves than about who You've said we already are. Give us a new heart to see Your beauty, and to live joyfully and intentionally with You in this world. Help us see Your love for us and Your faithfulness to us everywhere we look.

Supporting Resources

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

What are some ways in which you have suffered?

How has God been faithful to you throughout your life?

Pray that God would grow the fruit of joy in the midst of suffering in your heart.

QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS

What are some areas in your life in which God has been faithful to you over the course of your life?

What has “to live is Christ and to die is gain” meant to you?

Tell your child often that if Christ is all for him or her, there is nothing that the world can, in a final sense, do to hurt them, and that they will always find joy no matter what their wardrobe or report card looks like.