SETTING THE STAGE
As we read the opening words of Paulâs letter to the Philippians, we are immediately struck by the joy and thankfulness the apostle felt for this community of believers. In the space of a few short verses, he shares that he is thankful to God whenever he thinks of them, how their example fills him with joy, how he values their fellowship, and how he longs to see them again.
For more than a decade, the members of this small church in the Roman colony of Philippi had flourished as a close-knit group of believers. The apostle Paul, who had founded the church some ten years before, simply could not hide the deep attachment he felt to them. Even though he had been separated from them due to his imprisonment, he wanted them to know they were still continually in his thoughts and prayers.
It can be a bit startling to think that this great man of God, who had accomplished so much in establishing the churches, was desperate for the fellowship of his Christian friends. But in truth, Paul was built just like usâand none of us were designed to do life on our own. God created us for fellowship and for relationship. He wanted their fellowship to continue in spite of the miles of separation that lay between them. He desired their love for one another to grow.
As Paul communicates his feelings for these believers, he touches on many of the prerequisites for loving relationships in any church. His words remind us that we should all be thankful for our fellow brothers and sisters. The question is . . . are we thankful for them?
EXPLORING THE TEXT
Greeting (Philippians 1:1â7)
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
1. The opening line of first-century letters almost always included the name of the sender, the name of the recipient, and a general greeting. In this case, Paul indicates the letter is from him and Timothy (his co-worker), but adds that they are âbondservants of Christâ (verse 1). The Greek term for bondservant refers not to a hired servant but rather to a slave. What point is Paul making by identifying himself and Timothy in this manner?
[Your Response Here]
2. Paulâs greeting reveals a great deal about his relationship and past history with these believers. How would you describe his feelings toward them? How does he view them as partakers in his mission of spreading the gospel (see verses 3â7)?
[Your Response Here]
Thankfulness and Prayer (Philippians 1:8â11)
8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
3. Paul next describes the content of his prayers for the Philippians. What does he ask God to provide to them? What does he hope this will accomplish in them (see verses 9â10)?
[Your Response Here]
4. Paul uses the phrase âfruits of righteousnessâ to describe the work he wants God to do in the lives of the believers (see verse 11). How would you describe these fruits?
[Your Response Here]
GOING DEEPER
The picture that Paul paints of the church in Philippi is a congregation that loves one another, is growing in the faith together, and is supporting the work of spreading the gospel. In many ways, this church reflects the harmony that was experienced in the very first church in Jerusalem. Luke tells us the following about that church in the book of Acts.
A Vital Church Grows (Acts 2:41â47)
41 Then those who gladly received [Peterâs] word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostlesâ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
5. These events occurred shortly after Peter delivered a sermon in which he proclaimed Jesus to be the promised Messiah. How did the people respond to his message? What happened as a resultâin spite of their different backgrounds (see verses 41â45)?
[Your Response Here]
6. What traits characterized this early body of believers (see verses 46â47)? What similar traits did the believers in Philippi possess?
[Your Response Here]
Paulâs thankfulness for the believers in Philippi reveals the church was doing well in loving one another and supporting the mission of spreading the gospel. This was not the case in every church that Paul had helped to found. In the following letter, he instructs a group of believers that was struggling with unity and how the body of Christ is supposed to function.
Unity and Diversity in One Body (1 Corinthians 12:20â26)
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, âI have no need of youâ; nor again the head to the feet, âI have no need of you.â 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
7. Some of the believers in Corinth thought they possessed spiritual gifts that were more important than the other giftsâwhich was leading to issues of pride. How does Paul emphasize the importance of every member of the body of Christ (see verses 20â24)?
[Your Response Here]
8. Why is it important for believers to support and encourage one another (see verses 25â26)?
[Your Response Here]