Untitled Sermon
Prayer and Pursuit
Paul provided three reasons for his attitude of thankfulness. First, he had them in his heart. Commentators differ over the precise meaning of this structure. On one hand, the Greek could read, “You have me in your heart,” and the context could be interpreted to support it. Paul was explaining his appreciation of their gift on his behalf. Perhaps he continued his appreciation for their financial support. On the other hand, the construction more naturally reads, “I have you in my heart.”21 Taken this way, Paul’s thanksgiving was more than a response to the gift they sent and to the knowledge of God’s working in their behalf. It came from a true blending of hearts. Emotional ties bound them together.
The second reason for this attitude was their fellow-service in the apostolic ministry. Paul’s circumstances did not hinder their relationship. Being a prisoner could have presented an obstacle to their wholehearted support, but they took the attitude that it was their imprisonment too. No doubt this meant more to Paul because the church at Rome divided into two groups concerning him—to some, his imprisonment was part of the problem. No church was in a more patriotic setting than the Philippian church, but the chains proved to be no obstacle. Paul also mentioned his “defensing” and “confirming” the gospel. The words are legal terms. They are official language for a formal defense, and some interpret them as evidence that Paul had presented his case in court. In fact, he had presented himself and the gospel to various political officials in Palestine. His presence in Rome was also a defense of the gospel. Paul stated later that the topic of conversation was “Christ” (1:13). The ordeal of his incarceration may be correctly called a “defense and confirmation.” It was the ultimate opportunity for Christians to present their claims to the emperor. Thus, by life or death, Paul was committed to the gospel message. The church stood by him in it. Whether good or bad times came, Paul counted on the Philippian church. Their support evidenced the fact that they were true “fellow-workers.”24 They joined with him in his apostolic calling to reach Gentiles for Christ. The partnership between them formed the strong tie which Paul addressed in the next verse.
Paul referred to his apostleship with the word “grace.” The term may identify general Christian attitudes, a state of grace in which a Christian stands, or Paul’s specific calling of grace. The last correctly describes this reference. To understand it as depicting a general state of grace does not take the immediate context seriously. The defense and confirmation of the gospel directly relate to the grace. They are the arena in which the grace operates. Here is another reference to his apostolic function. The Philippians recognized Paul’s unique place in God’s economy as apostle of God’s grace, and they demonstrated their support for it by participating with him as they could.
The third reason for Paul’s attitude in prayer was the deep Christian tie between them. The force of this statement is demonstrated in two ways. First, the new sentence is in the form of an oath, as Paul called God to the witness stand. They could not see Paul’s heart for them, but God did. Second, this intense desire was distinctly Christian. Paul used two terms: “long” (epipothō), which expresses a strong desire, and “affection” (splanchnois), which identifies the “entrails” as all being involved in the emotion. The “entrails” were actually those of Christ Jesus. Paul thereby expressed the fact that his feelings came from the Lord. This was a total Christian emotion that was the result of both of them being Christian and of both sharing in what God was doing in Christ.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s thoughts easily moved from thanksgiving to petitioning prayer. The two were part of the same spiritual activity, but more than that, Paul acknowledged that the good done in the Philippians’ lives came from God. As a part of his response in praise, he prayed that God would continue his work in them.
This prayer resembles the prayer in Colossians. The similarity goes beyond the fact that the prayer follows quickly upon thanksgiving. Similarities of words reveal a similarity of content. No doubt Paul wrote them both at a time when he pondered the same thoughts on Christian growth, perhaps because of his own situation in life.
Phil 1:9–11
Col 1:9–11
I pray
praying
(proseuchomai)
(proseuchomenoi)
abound in knowledge
growing in knowledge of God
(epignōsei)
(epignōsin)
in all discernment
in wisdom and understanding
(aisthesei)
(sophia kai synesei)
being filled
you may be filled
(peplērōmenoi)
(plērōthēte)
fruit of righteousness
bearing fruit
(karpon dikaiosynēs)
(karpophorountes)
glory and praise of God
power of his glory
(doxan kai epainon)
(kratos tēs doxēs)
a good work
every good work
(ergon agathon)
(ergō agathō)
These parallels reveal that Paul thought consistently on the matter of Christian growth, and the fact that they are parallel emphasizes the basic themes found in his requests.
discernment
The sound judgment which makes possible the distinguishing of good from evil, and the recognition of God’s right ways for his people. It is necessary for the understanding of spiritual realities and, on a practical level, for right government and the avoidance of life’s pitfalls.
Discernment is given by God, through his Holy Spirit. It is received through God’s word and through the insight of a renewed mind. Discerning believers seek to grow in their understanding and knowledge of God’s truth.