Philippians

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi

“This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.”

Comment: Acquiring knowledge of God’s will through studying His word helps one discern what is pure and blameless. Your study can be personal or discussion with fellow Christians.

“I want you to know what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. It has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” (Phil 1:12-14)

“I will in no way be ashamed, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ be the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault.” (Phil 1:20-21; 27; 2:3-5; 14-15)

“Rejoice in the Lord! Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh (Judaizes). For it is we who are the circumcision (sin removed by obedience), we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. … I too am a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; a Pharisee who persecuted the church, faultless (in regard to the Law of Moses). But whatever being a Jew was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” (Phil 3:1-9)

Comment: Mutilators of the flesh were probably Jews demanding Gentiles be circumcised according to the Law of Moses to be in fellowship.

“One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14) Comment: Do not live in heights or depths of the past, but live righteously for your future eternal life.

“Take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.” (Phil 3:17-20)

Comment: The word translated “pattern” is from the Greek word tupos meaning the teaching which embodies the sum and substance (Thayer's Greek Lexicon). The “enemies of the cross” appear to be those who ceased living the sum and substance of Christ’s teachings by developing a requirement that certain acts or beliefs must be followed to belong in their fellowship.

“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Phil 4:2-3)

Comment: The specifics of these ladies' disagreement are not known. The point is Christians need to work out their differences and not demand that things must be as what “I say and do”.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” (Phil 4:5-9)

Key Points from Philippians ➢ When we allow God to use us to do His will, then God is in control of our lives and we glorify Him. ➢ Fellowship requires humility rather than focusing on personal opinions or desires. ➢ Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others, this is love of one another. ➢ Establishing and requiring personal interpretation of a scripture results in forsaking or drawing away from the cross of Christ.

Question – Why should one seek to acquire more knowledge and depth of insight of God’s will?