Philippians 1 Notes

Application Overview

Philippians 1:23–26 records some of Paul’s most poignant remarks. Writing from prison and presumably in a near-death situation, Paul candidly expresses his present dilemma. He knows that if he dies, he will finally get to be with Christ, his savior and Lord, whom he preached throughout the Graeco-Roman world. He clearly desires this. Yet he also knows that if he remains on earth, he will be able to serve the Philippians, as well as his other churches, a little longer. Paul concludes by stating that it would be better for the Philippians for him to remain. What swayed the apostle’s mind? It was the Philippians themselves, whom Paul regarded as his apostolic responsibility. They were Paul’s “joy and crown” (Phil 4:1) in the Lord—that is, his eschatological reward from God (compare 1 Thess 2:19–20).

Paul’s decision to remain was ultimately made to honor God, who called Paul to serve as an apostle to the Gentiles, and the Philippians, who were Paul’s “children” in the faith. In the face of life-threatening imprisonment and a deep desire to be with Christ, Paul looked beyond his own desires to obey the one who called him and serve the people whom he brought into Christ. Paul’s model of humility anticipates the Christ hymn in Phil 2:5–11 and confronts us as believers: We must, at times, relinquish our own desires and ambitions to help our fellow believers in their progress and joy in the faith (Phil 1:25).

 Derek R. Brown, Philippians, ed. Douglas Mangum, Lexham Research Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013), Php 1:1–26.