Philippians 1:7
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-Paul addressed his thanksgiving to God for the Philippians, now He addressed them directly, specifically the love he as for them
-he yearns for them with the love of Christ (8)
-Here he explained that it is right for him to feel the way he does about the Philippians
it is proper, what is proper?
proper for him to be confident that Christ is still doing a work in them
proper for him to be thankful for the Philippians
-He is confident that Christ is working in them because of his personal connection to them
-Indeed = since, because, in so far as, which connects it to the previous section
-Feel = to think, set one’s mind on
-Paul uses it 10 times in the letter: 1:7, 2:2, 2:5, 3:15, 3:19, 4:2, 4:10
-this idea of giving one’s mind to, “it is right for me to think of you in this way”
-we also should think of it in this way: that they way one thinks relates to his actions
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
-Right = just
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
-Because I hold you in my heart
-a deep personal connection to the Philippians
-the heart is the center source of life both physical and spiritual
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
-have you in my heart - idea of blending of hearts, brotherly love
-some say it should be translated - I am close to your heart
-for you all are partakers with me
-imprisonment and confirmation of the gospel are both connected to being partakers with Paul
-imprisonment
-Paul’s imprisonment did not hinder their relationship with him
-some may have seen Paul’s imprisonment as an obstacle, not the Philippians
-Paul saw them as standing with him
-defense and confirmation
-defense - legal term, to reply against an accusation
16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
-seems as if Paul is in reference to appearance before Roman authorities, but may not just be to trail proceedings
-defending the Gospel (v.16)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
-confirmation - certainty, to prove to be true
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,
-Paul is saying the Philippians are partners with him so that the gospel can be defended and the truth can be proclaimed
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
-The Philippians are partners with Him in God’s grace - this is the reason for Paul’s confidence in them, this is the reason he has them in his heart
-Paul saw his imprisonment, the defense of the Gospel as God’s grace, it was a privilege
-How were the Philippians partners with Paul in his imprisonment and defense of the gospel?