Philippians 1
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
As we now begin to work out way through the book of Philippians, today with chapter 1, I want to give just a brief reminder of the context—where are we at, or better, where is Paul at, as he’s writing this letter.
The biggest, most important detail is this: Paul is in prison. He longs to, obviously, be released from prison in order to visit the Philippians, that’s a great desire of his, to visit this church he has so much affection for. His chains have prevented him from fulfilling this desire, but we will see that his chains have not hindered his greatest ambition: to make the gospel of Jesus known.
So he writes this letter as an encouragement to a church he loves and one that loves him. I love the direction of this—from Paul to the church—not the other way around, you’d think they’d be sending the letters (and they probably were), encouraging him in his imprisonment. “Don’t worry, we’re working with a good lawyer, we’re praying for you!” But it’s Paul who is encouraging them, even though he’s the one in chains.
We must keep this context in mind throughout Philippians, Paul is in prison while he writes about rejoicing in the Lord. Here’s our trajectory tonight: we’re going to start in the middle of chapter 1, then work our way backward and forward to fill out the rest of the chapter. But we start in the middle because this is Paul’s basis for what he writes everywhere else, this is the foundation of his joy, the molten hot core of his passion for Christ, everything flows into and out of this middle section here.
Remember the context, and let’s look at vv. 18b-24 together
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. This is everything to Paul, you might say that this is Paul’s definition of life itself. His life, his identity, his world is so bound up in Jesus Christ, knowing Jesus, living (or dying) for Him, growing in His likeness, sharing about Him. Jesus is Paul’s life. He has found Jesus as the one thing that you could effectively build your life around.
This is Paul’s hope, that no matter his circumstances, no matter the hardship he faces, no matter his imprisonment, His life is found and centered on Jesus Christ.
He starts by saying, I will rejoice—remember, this man in prison, and the basis of his rejoicing his that “through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.”
I’ll pause here to say that this one or two sentences here in Phil. 1:18-20 is one of the more complex sentences that Paul would ever right, so bear with me I don’t cover every question you have about it.
Ok, he’s talking about his deliverance. Now, on the surface, we might say that this “deliverance” he is referring to his imprisonment, and I think it is. In part. This is one of the layers here, he’s talking about being released from prison by the help of their prayers for Him and the Spirit of Jesus. And that is the immediate context. But then look at what he goes on to say: “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”
“whether by life or by death,” that phrase should reframe how we see the whole sentence. Yes, Paul wants to be released from prison and be earnestly believes that the prayers of believers are effective, with the help of the Spirit, to bring about his release, BUT then he says “whether in life or death.” Whether I live and am free or I die as an executed martyr, I know, he says, that this will turn out for my deliverance.
Deliverance then must have a greater meaning and in fact the Greek word he uses: soteria, is used 44 other times in the NT and, at least in our ESV Bible, every single other time it is translated: Salvation.
Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for soteria, salvation, to everyone who believes.
Paul has in view, in life or in death, his ultimate salvation and he is SURE of it. And he recognizes that his confidence is carried along by the prayers of his brothers and sisters, Paul’s faith is sustained because of Christ and because the believers pray that for him. And however this turns out: I will be saved, Paul says. If I am released, great, then I can continue to glorify God with my body through my ministry (v. 22) and as I proclaim the Gospel. And if I die, great, God will be glorified in my death and I will enter into His eternal, glorious presence.
To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
And by the way, v. 19, many scholars think that Paul is actually quoting the book of Job here to talk about deliverance and salvation.
English Standard Version Chapter 13
15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him…
16 This will be my salvation,
Think about that, he’s quoting Job, who lost everything, and Job’s assurance, even in death, of salvation.
This is Paul’s confidence. He is secure and certain.
I think about this when we talk about someone who is in need of healing, and we say that they will be healed, whether in this life or in eternity with Christ. We don’t say that as some trite nicety to make people feel better. That’s not a Hallmark sentiment, it’s just a true fact for the believer. In whatever you face, you will be saved: either now or in eternity and it will all be a work of Christ Jesus.
Look at this phrase in v. 20, “but that with full courage no as always Christ will be honored with my body.” Here we see evidence that his laser-sharp focus on Jesus is not some new thing he has discovered in prison—though his imprisonment may have helped him shape the how he articulates it. As always, since first encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, bringing glory to Jesus has been Paul’s chief goal.
What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Paul basically summarizes what our catechism says in these verses. To bring glory to Jesus has always been my goal, and now, look at v. 23: “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” I want to enjoy the presence of the Lord!
Paul hopes that Christ will be proclaimed boldly through his trial and that whatever happens to him, he knows he will not be ashamed, but rather vindicated. Either vindicated in life by being set free and continuing to preach the Gospel and then giving others cause to glorify God, or whether he is executed and his vindication comes in his own resurrection in Christ.
The point is this: Jesus Christ is the lens through which Paul sees everything, his life, his desires, his motivation, his work, his suffering, everything flows out of this centered identity in Jesus.
Now, let’s work backward and see Paul’s attitude in light of his definition of life: that life is Christ.
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 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.
Paul’s getting into the practical here, here’s how he is living this out. Because Jesus is at the very center of Paul’s life, when he faces difficulty, suffering, imprisonment, not only does he not despair, but he’s able to trust that God is using it.
It’s not that he’s trying to downplay his suffering, it’s that his suffering is so little compared to the joy he has because of what Christ is doing. Because Christ is his definition of life, Paul can say: there is good coming from this, even this imprisonment
And there are, at least, three things that I see in this passage that Paul remarks as positive fruit.
First, the gospel has been made known to the whole imperial guard! Paul would have been guarded 24/7 by a Roman imperial guard. They would take shifts, and because he’s been in prison so long, the entire imperial guard has had a turn and Paul has shared with them the gospel of Jesus.
Do you see? He does not despair in his imprisonment, but revels in the work of the gospel despite his chains.
I told this story a few months ago, some of you heard it and I apologize, but most of you haven’t. There was a member of our church named Stan Finn, Stan passed away a few years ago and for the two years I knew him, he was homebound because of his health. And toward the end, he was really confined to a chair or a bed. I remember visiting him once and I asked Stan how his week was going. Now, I knew he wouldn’t complain, because he never did, but his answer has stuck with me years later. He said, “Oh, it’s been a wonderful week, I have a new in-home nurse caretaker and I don’t know if she’s a believer so I’m excited to share Jesus with her!”
Stan understood what Paul meant when he said: to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Secondly, evangelism isn’t the only benefit that Paul sees, he also sees that other believers have become bolder, more confident in their faith and in their evangelism—bold to speak the word without fear.” He’s become an example that is helping develop and grow boldness in the church in Philippi! Paul wouldn’t choose imprisonment and suffering, but if it means others and encouraged, emboldened and the church is strengthened, praise God all the more.
And for Paul, these good things are merely the corroboration or proof of his faith and salvation, not the foundation of it.
And finally, 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. Yes, and I will rejoice,
Paul is giving commentary about what he’s hearing: that there are people who are preaching the gospel, trying to lead in the church out of selfish ambition, for the notoriety, maybe for their own sense of righteousness. But you see, what’s his concern?
He rejoices in the gospel being preached! Of course, he would admonish these who preach out of selfish ambition, he’s not saying it’s ok. He’s saying, I’m glad the gospel is preached. And he says that, and all of this, because Paul’s life is defined by and centered on Christ. If Paul’s life was centered on his reputation and his preaching platform, his influence and power and all that comes with being in his position. Then all of this would lead him to despair. He can’t build his platform while he’s in prison, and others are seizing the opportunity and they have the wrong motivation!
If fame and notoriety were his ambition: then Paul would be deeply troubled. If comfort was the center of his life, prison would cause him despair. If life itself was the center of his ambition, then an impending execution would cause him to despair. But Christ Jesus is his ambition and so he is able to praise God through it all.
The question then for us this: what’s at the center of your life. Can you really say: to live is Christ, and to die is gain? I’m not saying it’s easy to say that, but that this is the example Paul gives us.
What’s at the center of your life and if you lost that thing, would you despair? Is it your job? your career? a relationship? comfort? your health?
These are all good things, by the way. The problem with them is this: they will all fail us because we will lose them at some point or another.
Think of the encounter Jesus has with the Rich Young Man, In Mark 10 he said to jesus “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus tells him about the commandments, “you know the commandments: do not murder, do not commit adultery, and so on.” And the man says, “all these commandments I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus is so great, because he doesn’t say, “are you sure about that?” That might be my question. No, Jesus knows what he needs: “you lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treatsure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
It goes on: Disheartened by this saying, the man went away sorrowful for he had great possessions.
You see, Jesus knew what was at the center of this man’s life: his wealthy and material possessions, and there mere thought of giving them up sent him spiraling and sorrowful. The man is deceived by his things, that they could save him and fulfill him.
But Jesus knows that fulfillment is not found in material things, or ANYTHING else. The rich young man isn’t a passage about the evils of money, it’s about what has a hold on your heart and what’s at the center of your life. Money, success, health, relationships, whatever it is.
Jesus knows: you need to give this up and make me the center of your life because you will be fulfilled. The man doesn’t understand: he’s going to lose all his things anyway. Either in this life or in death, he can’t take his wealth with him. And when he does lose his possessions, he’ll despair all the more.
To live is Christ and to die is gain! Paul says make Jesus your definition of life and though struggle and trial will come, you will be OK, and not just ok, but you can rejoice!
If Christ is your life, then there is nothing to fear. AND, we’ll head to the end of chapter 1 and close here, If Christ is your life then, as Paul says, live like this is true.
Philippians 1:27 “27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”
This is Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians church, to live in light of the Gospel of Christ—taken in total, the Gospel changes our perspective on our lives (what we’ve talked about) and it changes the way we live.
He’s not saying, live in a way that earns your life with Christ, but let your way of life demonstrate who you are in Christ. Therefore, be changed, he’s saying. Couple of things to note:
The word “life” here is a Greek word that referred to citizenship. He’s reminding them of their citizenship. There’s a lot of irony here too, he’s writing to a Roman city, Philippi, whose people enjoyed the full rights of Roman citizens. Paul was a Roman citizen who was not free, but imprisoned, but he’s not talking about Roman citizenship at all. He’s in chains explaining security and freedom to free citizens of Rome.
He’s saying: you are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, therefore let the manner of life, or the manner of your citizenship be worthy of it. Or put another way: you are citizens of heaven because of the Gospel, live in a way that reflects what is true.
Philippians 3:20 “20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”
And look what he says, “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel”
The emphasis is on the unity of the believers living out their citizenship together. You don’t live out your life in Christ alone—Paul has already talked about the value of the prayers he has received. When suffering comes, we walk through it together; when there is joy, we rejoice together; when there are those who oppose us, we love them and proclaim Christ to them together!
Paul will expound on this manner of lives much more fully in chapter 2.
