Philippians 3:1

Philippians 3:1 says, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.  Paul called on the Christians at Philippi to rejoice in the Lord, and so should we today.  Paul said what he wrote to them did not cause him grief and that it was safe for them to hear it.  Even though Paul was about to warn the believers in Philippi about some among them who were teaching false things about Christianity, he was not grieved by it, and he did so for their safety.  We should never be grieved by having to point out false teachings to other Christians. Verse two adds, Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.  Paul warned them to beware of those that he called dogs, evil workers, and those who spread concision.  Some people who processed to be Christians were teaching false things about what it meant to be a Christian, and this was causing problems in the church, and if we allow false teachings into the church today, it will cause problems, or contention, as well.  Verse three continues, For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  Paul said that the true circumcision, which some were claiming was necessary for salvation, came from faith in Jesus Christ, and not from any physical act.  Salvation can come only through faith in Jesus Christ, and if anyone begins to add anything to that, then they are leading people astray.  Salvation is not controlled by any group of believers, but comes only by individual faith in Jesus Christ, and no one can take away an individual's salvation away.  Verse four declares, Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:  Paul said that if anyone thought that he or she could put their faith in the flesh, or in the keeping of religious rules, that he could do so even more.  No matter how many rules we may follow attempting to become worthy of salvation, it will never bring us salvation.  We are all unworthy and can only attain salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse five adds, Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;  Paul began to list his earthly credentials that many would have looked at to call him a great man of God.  He was born a Jew, circumcised the eighth day, and became a Pharisee when he was grown.  We may be able to list great credentials today that we would claim make us a follower of Christ, but they will never be of any real value.  Verse six continues, Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  Paul said that he had been blameless in the law and had even zealously persecuted the church before he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord.  Paul did not count his actions in the name of God as bringing him into a right relationship with God, and neither can we today.  If we do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, no matter how good we may feel we are, nothing else matters.  Verse seven states, But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Paul said he counted all those things that would seem to make him a great Jew, or man of God, as a lose because of his relationship with Jesus Christ.  We cannot attempt to justify ourselves by our own actions but can be justified toward God only by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Anything and everything else does not matter.  Verse eight adds, Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  Paul emphatically stated that he counted all his personal achievements as a loss when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord, and so must we.  We cannot have a personal relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ plus anything else but can only have that relationship through faith in Christ alone.

Philippians 2:21

Philippians 2:21 says, For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.  Paul said that everyone was seeking what they wanted instead of what Jesus Christ wanted.  We know this is true of those who had not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, but we cannot allow it to be true of us if we have accepted Him.  This is part of the problem with a name it and claim it religion. In such, we are seeking our own things and not the things of Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-two adds, But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.  Paul said Timothy was not seeking his own wealth, but was as a son to him, serving for the gospel of Christ with Paul.  This needs to be what people say about our life as Christians, that we are serving for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-three declares, Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.  Paul said he hoped to send Timothy to the Christians at Philippi soon, but he had to wait and see what happened to himself.  I believe this means that Paul was waiting to have God's will revealed to him.  If he were freed, he would likely be planning to come with Timothy, unless he felt that God had other plans.  There is nothing wrong with making plans, as long as we make them in accordance with God's plan for our life.  Verse twenty-four adds, But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.  As just stated,  Paul hoped to come to Philippi soon himself,  but he put it all under God's control.  At no point did he say that he wanted to come and he was going to pray about it and since that was what he desired that God would grant it.  As followers of Christ, we must never believe that what we want from our own desire is what God wants for us.  Verse twenty-five states, Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.   Paul said that he felt it necessary to send Epaphroditus, his brother, companion in the work of Christ, and fellow soldier in the army of Jesus Christ, to the believers at Philippi.  Though Epaphroditus was very close to Paul, he was not selfishly saying that he must remain with him.  Like Paul, we may at times have to give up someone close to us to go elsewhere to do the work of Christ.  Verse twenty-six adds, For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.  Paul said that Epaphroditus longed to come to Philippi, because they had heard that he had been sick.  He waited to relieve their worry.  Verse twenty-seven continues, For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.  Paul said that Epaphroditus had been very sick, but that God had been merciful to him and healed him.  Paul also said that God was merciful to him when He healed Epaphroditus, because if Epaphroditus had died he would have had sorrow on sorrow.  God's mercy does not just affect the one it is shown to, but often affects those close to them as well.  Verse twenty-eight declares, I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.  Paul said that he sent Epaphroditus to them again so that they might rejoice.  I believe Paul did this because he knew it was what God wanted and not just to cause the followers of Christ at Philippi to rejoice.   Paul also said sending Epaphroditus to them made him less sorrowful, I believe because their sadness over what they believed had happened to Epaphroditus also saddened Paul.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:  Paul called on the Christians at Philippi to receive Epaphroditus in the Lord with gladness.   Verse thirty concludes, Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.  Paul said that because of the work of Epaphroditus for the Jesus Christ that he had nearly died, but he still was not concerned with his life, but instead was concerned with meeting Paul's needs, which the church at Philippi had failed to do.  I don't believe that Paul said this to condemn them, but did so to point out how important Epaphroditus was to him, but also to point out how important they, the believers at Philippi, were as well.  We should never selfishly do what we believe is best for us individually if it is at the cost of what is best for our fellow Christians.  Of course, as long as we are following God's will, the two things, what I may want and the will of God, will be the same.

Philippians 2:12

Philippians 2:12 says, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  Paul said the Christians at Philippi had always obeyed God.  Paul said that they did this not only when he was present, which might have been done simply to impress him, but when he was absent as well.  He then called on them to work out their own salvation, which did not mean create their own salvation plan, but meant for them to grow in Christ without him.  They were to do so with fear and trembling or understanding the importance of their salvation.  We cannot rely on anyone or anything to bring us salvation but Jesus Christ, and once we accept Him as our Savior and Lord, we must then individually grow in our faith.  Verse thirteen adds, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  Paul told them this was true because it was God Who worked in them to do what was pleasing to Him, and not Paul.  We are to acknowledge that God alone saves us, and not the person who may have led us to Christ.  Verse fourteen states, Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  Paul really didn't say do some things, or even things related to the church, without murmurings and disputings, but to do all things without them.  I believe we sometimes want to separate the world into spiritual and material, but as Christians we should live every moment of our life under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and there is no separation.  What we do when we are out in the world should be guided by God just as much as what we do when we are gathered to worship Him.  Verse fifteen adds, That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  What Paul said here I believe further reinforces the fact that he was speaking of every aspect of our life.  The crooked and perverse nation may not really note what we do when we are gathered together in worship, but when we are out among them they should see the shining light of Jesus in our lives.  Verse sixteen declares, Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  Paul called on them to hold on to the word of life, salvation through Jesus Christ, so that his witnessing and teaching them would not have been in vain.  If they were only trying to please Paul or were putting their faith in him instead of God and lost their faith when he wasn't there, then his work would have been for nothing.  Our faith must never be in a preacher or teacher but must always be in Christ alone.  Verse seventeen adds, Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.  Paul said that if he was offered up because of his witnessing to them that he would still rejoice in them.  Whatever happens to us because of our faith, we should rejoice in our fellow believers.  They will be the ones to continue God's work.  Verse eighteen continues, For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.  Paul said because of their faith that they were to rejoice in him also, no matter what his situation in the world might be.  We are to rejoice in and with our fellow Christians today, no matter what their situation in the world might be.  Verse nineteen says, But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.  Paul said that he trusted that God would allow him to send Timothy to them so that he could get a first-hand report of how they were doing as they followed Christ, and not how they were doing as they followed Paul.  Paul wasn't concerned with how their faith made him look, but with how their faith glorified Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty adds, For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.  Paul said he had no one else but Timothy to send who was likeminded with him about the spiritual welfare of the Christians at Philippi.  

Philippians 2:1

Philippians 2:1 says, If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  Paul continues with his exhortation to the believers at Philippi.  He begins with rhetorical questions.  He asked if they believed that there was any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, any mercy through faith in Christ, and the answer was an obvious yes.  We should experience those same things as followers of Christ today.  Verse two adds, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Paul then told them to fulfill his joy by being likeminded, filled with the same love of Christ, and united in their serving God.  This would have fulfilled Paul's joy because they would have been proving that they had indeed accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and above all else this was what Paul desired.  We as Christians should be the same way today.  Verse three continues, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Paul asked that they not allow themselves to be filled with strife and vainglory, but to do everything with a humble attitude toward other Christians, never feeling that they were better than any other Christian.  It is a sad testimony when we as followers of Christ fight and argue with each other, especially if we do so because we feel morally superior to any other Christian.  Verse four states, Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Paul said that as followers of Christ that they should not be concerned with their own welfare, but they should be concerned with the welfare of others, especially fellow believers, as well.  I don't believe that God blesses us just so we can have more material things simply for our own use, but that He blesses us so that we can help others as well.  Verse five adds, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Paul called on them to be of the same mind as Christ Himself was.  This should be our standard in life today if we are Christians.  Jesus Christ never did anything for selfish reasons or for self-glorification, and neither should we.  Verse six continues, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  Jesus did not feel that He was any less God because of His coming into the world as a lowly Man in order to redeem the world.  Verse seven says, But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  Paul then stated that though Jesus Christ was indeed God, He took on the likeness of man and became a lowly servant.  He was fully God and fully Man, and He is the example we should follow.  Though we can never be fully God, we can be fully filled with His Spirit and humbly reach out to others with His love.  Verse eight adds, And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Paul said that as a Man, Jesus humbled Himself in obedience to the heavenly Father, even to the point of dying on the cross for the sins of humanity.  Once more, we are called on to follow the example of Jesus Christ, and though we cannot die to redeem others, we should be willing to die for our faith in Him.  Verse nine continues, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  Paul said that God the Father exalted Jesus Christ and gave Him a name above all others.  Those who crucified Jesus Christ may have believed that they had defeated Him, but His heavenly Father said that He was exalted.  Verse ten states, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  Paul said that one day every knee would bow to Jesus Christ, in heaven and on earth.  The question is will we bow as a part of His family or as a part of those who have refused to acknowledge Him while it could still bring us salvation.   Verse eleven adds, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  One day, everyone will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, but for way too many it will come too late.  We must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord in this lifetime in order to claim salvation through Him.

Philippians 1:20

Philippians 1:20 says, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  Paul said that his earnest desire was to be ashamed in nothing in his Christian life.  He said that he wanted the boldness to live by faith in Jesus Christ so that everything he did would magnify Christ, either by the way he lived or by the way he died.  We need that same faith and attitude today.  As followers of Christ, we should never be ashamed to proclaim the gospel of Christ and to live, or die if necessary, so that whatever we do will glorify God.  Verse twenty-one adds, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  Paul then said that if he lived, it would be for doing the will of Christ, and if he died it would be his gain.  Paul wasn't in a hurry to die, since as long as he lived, he could witness to others about Jesus Christ.  He also said that if he died that he would gain everlasting life, which would be better than anything this world has to offer.  We as Christians should live for God's glory, knowing that if we die for our faith, or simply die, that it is not the end, but the beginning of our everlasting life with nothing between God and us.  Verse twenty-two continues, But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  I believe that Paul was saying if the choice was his between living and continuing to suffer for his faith or dying and enjoying his heavenly home with Christ that he did not know which he would choose, but he knew the choice was not his.  The choice is not ours today either.  As long as God leaves us in this life, no matter how bad things may get, we are to live to glorify Him, and when we die, we will be with Him forever. We simply have to remain faithful, and we win either way.  Verse twenty-three declares, For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  Paul said that he was in a strait, or having a hard time deciding what was best.  He said he had a desire to be with Christ, which was better and meant that Paul had to die.  We may at times feel that we would rather go on to be with Christ than to continue in the pain and struggles of this world below.  Verse twenty-four adds, Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  Paul then added that to continue to live was beneficial to those that he shared the gospel with, so that was what put him in a strait between choosing life or death.  That is why he simply left it up to God, as we must today.  Verse twenty-five continues, And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;  Paul said that he had confidence that he would continue to abide, or live, for the benefit of those that he was witnessing to.  We as followers of Christ should see life as a time that God gives us to share the gospel with others and to edify other Christians.  Verse twenty-six concludes, That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.  Paul said that his returning to the Christians at Philippi would help them grow in faith in Jesus Christ.  I don't believe that Paul was saying that he was morally superior to the Christians at Philippi, but that he could share with them the truth of God's word as the worshipped together.  We should benefit from worship with other believers and should help those who are younger in faith to grow in Christ.  Verse twenty-seven states, Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  Paul told them to stand fast in the gospel and let their conversation reflect their faith.  Paul said that the things that they said should be in accordance with the gospel, so that whether he got to return to see them or not that he would hear of their good works for Christ and that they were united in spreading the gospel.  This should be what people say about us today as Christians.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.  Paul told them that they should not be terrified by anything that the people of the world might do to them because of their faith.  He also said that the actions of those who opposed Christians would be to their perdition, or coming punishment, but it would be to the Christian as evidence of their salvation.  We have no reason to live in fear today if we are followers of Christ and are obedient to God's will.  Verse twenty-nine continues, For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;  Paul said that their salvation given by Christ also called on them to suffer with Him.  He did not promise them material wealth and happiness, but suffering with Christ because of their faith.  Christianity is not about earthly things, but about heavenly things.  Verse thirty concludes, Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.  Paul said he knew that they might have the same conflict that he had about living or dying.  We as followers of Christ today may likewise know that we will be better off after we die because we will be with God forever, but we also need to know that as long as we live we need to witness for Christ and uplift one another.

Philippians 1:12

Philippians 1:12 says, But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;  Paul said that he wanted the Christians at Philippi to know that everything that happened to him was to spread the gospel further.  If bad things happen to us today because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we do not need to be filled with self-pity and doubt but must use whatever happens as an opportunity to share the gospel.  Verse thirteen adds, So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;  Paul said that people all around him, even in the palace, knew he was bound because of his faith in Jesus Christ.  If we find ourselves in bonds today as followers of Christ, we need to be sure that it is because of our faith and never allow our faith to waver.  Verse fourteen continues, And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  Paul said that his example of being faithful even when in bonds caused other Christians to be bold instead of being afraid.  We need to set the same example as Paul and those brave Christians did if we find ourselves being persecuted for the gospel.  If persecution, or even being imprisoned comes, we must be even bolder in our witness for Christ.  Verse fifteen declares, Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:  Paul said that some who professed to be preachers proclaimed a gospel of contention, claiming that Paul's imprisonment proved that he wasn't following God.  They were jealous of Paul, and Matthew Henry says because of that they were secretly happy that he was imprisoned.  We should never claim that someone who has truly been imprisoned for their faith gives proof that they are not following God, and we certainly should never secretly be happy that they have been.  Verse sixteen adds, The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:  Paul said that those who preached Christ of contention did so not because of a real belief in Christ but did so simply to add to his suffering when he was in bonds.  Paul was more concerned about the effect of the false preachers on the gospel than he was of his being in bonds.  Our first concern should always be how what is happening in our life will affect the gospel.  Verse seventeen continues, But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.  Paul said that there were also those who used his bandage as an inspiration to defend and proclaim the gospel out of love for Christ.  It is always up to each individual how he or she reacts to those who are suffering because of their faith.  We can either use them as an example to call us to a greater faith, which we will do if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, or as an example of someone to ridicule if we put our faith in the world or self-pride or self-glorification.  Verse eighteen asks, What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.  Paul asked what he should do because of this and said that he rejoiced since even those who were preaching the gospel out of pretence, or without truly believing it themselves, were still preaching the gospel.  It is the gospel, and not the one preaching it, that matters.  As long as the gospel is being presented accurately, it doesn't matter who is proclaiming it, and we should rejoice that it is being proclaimed.  Verse nineteen adds, For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,  Paul said that the preaching of the gospel, even by those who wanted to look down on him, would turn to his salvation through their prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Paul was not concerned with how people viewed him but was only concerned with the spreading of the gospel.  This should be our only concern today as well.  

  

Philippians 1:1

Philippians 1:1 says, Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:  Paul identified Timothy and himself as writing the letter, but Timothy was just with Paul and Paul wrote the letter under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Paul said the letter was written to the servants of Jesus Christ at Philippi, including the church leaders.  Paul gave credit to those who helped him and acknowledged the average believer before the church leaders, and we should have that same attitude today I believe.   Verse two adds, Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul wished the grace and peace, which could only come from the heavenly Father through faith in Jesus Christ, for them.  The grace of God has always been the only way to peace, and we can only claim His peace through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse three continues, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  Paul said that he thanked God every time he remembered the believers in Christ at Phillipi, and we should always thank God when we remember, or think about, other believers in Christ.  Verse four states, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,  Paul said that he not only thought about them, but he also prayed for their joy every time he prayed.   We need to also be in prayer for our fellow Christians, not just when they have problems, but always.  We should pray that they will have joy through Christ.  Veree five adds, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;  Paul said that they had fellowship in the gospel from the first day that they had accepted Jesus Christ.  We don't have to wait for people to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ in order to have fellowship with them, but we should have fellowship with them from the time they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  We are all equals through our faith in Jesus Christ.   Verse six continues, Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:  Paul said that he had confidence that God Who had begun a good work in the Christians at Philippi would continue tat work until the coming of Christ.  God will always complete the redemption work that He begins when a person accepts Jesus Christ, and He will continue that work until Jesus Christ returns again.  Even if we die before His return, we are still a part of that work, and will be resurrected with Christ.  Verse seven says, Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.  Paul said that they had stood by him through the grace of God, both when he first witnessed to them and through the times he was in bondage for his faith in and witnessing for Jesus Christ.  We need to stand by all our fellow Christians today, especially those who may be imprisoned for their faith.  Verse eight adds, For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.  Paul said God knew how much he desired to be with them, but also knew that it was not where he should be at that time.  We may desire to be some particular place while we are following Christ, but God may want us somewhere else, and we must always put what God wants first.  Verse nine continues, And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;  Paul said that he prayed that they might grow in the knowledge and judgment of Jesus Christ.  As followers of Christ, we should continually grow in the knowledge and judgment of Jesus Christ.  Judgment does not mean judging others, but means being able to judge what is right or wrong under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse ten states, That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;  Paul prayed that they would approve the things that were excellent, or from God and that they would be sincere and without offence to God until Christ returns.  This should be the standard of all Christians.  It is not that we become perfect, but that we strive for perfection through our faith in Jesus Christ, until we die, or He returns.  Verse eleven adds, Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.  Paul prayed that the Christians at Philippi would be filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through faith in Jesus Christ and are for the glory and praise of God.  At no time did Paul say that he prayed for their material success, but he always prayed for their spiritual success, and so should we pray for our fellow Christians today.