Philippians Review

The first thing we learn from the book of Philippians is that we should always thank God for our fellow Christians.  We are not alone in serving God as followers of Christ.  We need to pray for our fellow believers and hopefully they will be praying for us as well.  Next, like Paul, we need to understand that whatever is happening in our life, if we are being obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit it will be for the furtherance of the gospel.  We cannot believe that unless we are happy and materially successful that we God is not with us and blessing us.  Then, we need to love one another with a Christ like love.  If we do, then we will always put the welfare of others above our own.  We also need to be confident in our calling as Christians and boldly declare the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Just as Paul warned the Christians at Philippi, we need to be aware that there are many who proclaim a perverted gospel and cause dissension in the church.  Paul also said that if the gospel, the truth that salvation comes from Jesus Christ alone, is being preached, it is still a good thing.  The message, and not the messenger, is what is important.  We also learn that we may be at war within ourselves between the need to stay here and do the work of Christ and the desire to depart this sinful world and be with Christ forever.  Paul said he had this war within himself, but he knew that what was best for him, going on to be with Christ, was not what was best for his fellow Christians.  We need to also let our conversation be such that it will be pleasing to God.  Paul said that it was given to the Christians at Philippi not only the ability to believe on Jesus Christ, but also to suffer for Him.  This is far from a name it and claim it because God wants me to be happy concept of following Jesus Christ.  We are also told that we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.  This does not mean that we create our own plan of salvation, but that we individually accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and we let the Holy Spirit guide us in living by faith.  Our inability to gain salvation through our own abilities should leave us fearful and trembling before God until we accept His gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 4:11

Philippians 4:11 says, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  Paul had just written about the help that he received from the church at Philippi, but he now said that he didn't allow that to influence what he had written to them.  Paul said he had learned to be content no matter what his physical or material status might have been, and as followers of Christ, we need to learn the same thing.  Verse twelve adds, I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  Paul basically said that he had known bad times and good times, and neither changed him.  I believe that we often have more faith in God in the bad times than we do in the good times, but our faith should remain the same no matter what is happening in our life.  Verse thirteen continues, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Paul said that he could do all things, not by his own strength, but by the strength that Christ empowered him with.  If we begin to feel weak or defeated in the world today, we as Christians must simply rely on the strength of Christ to be empowered to do whatever He calls us to do.  Verse fourteen states, Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.  Paul said that in spite of the fact that he was content no matter what and knew that Christ would empower him to do anything that He called on him to do, that the church at Philippi had done well to help him during his affliction.  I believe Paul saw their help as coming from God, but he wanted them to know that he appreciated their generosity in helping him.  We should always show our appreciation to those who help us in our work for God and never feel that it is just something that we deserve.  Verse fifteen adds, Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  Paul said at the beginning of his ministry after leaving Macedonia that the church at Philippi was the only one that communicated with him concerning giving and receiving.  They had been there to help Paul for a long time, and he commended them for it.  We  need to truly appreciate those who have helped us spiritually from the beginning of our Christian life, no matter how they may have shown that support.  Verse sixteen continues, For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.   Paul said that their support had been an ongoing thing, even helping him while he was in Thessalonica.  Again,  Paul said that this was to help meet his necessities in life and not to enrich him.  Verse seventeen says, Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  Paul said that he wasn't commending them because he wanted another gift but was commending them because he wanted them to know the spiritual fruit of their gifts.  We should never give nor receive gifts, or material support, from God for our own enrichment, but always give to others or receive His gifts from them for the advancement of the gospel and for God's glory.   Verse eighteen adds, But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  Paul said because of the help that the Philippians had sent by Epaphroditus that he had all that he needed and even more, and that their sacrifice in helping him was well pleasing to God.  This should be our ultimate test whether what we are doing is well pleasing to God or not.  Verse nineteen continues, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Paul said that just as God had provided for his needs partly by their help, that his God, the only true God, would provide for their needs as well.  We should never refuse to help others, especially our fellow Christians, because we are afraid that we cannot afford to do so if God is directing us to do it.  Verse twenty states, Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Paul asked that everything that they or he did be done for the glory of God, and this should be our desire today as followers of Christ.  Verse twenty-one adds, Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.  Paul begins the close of his letter by asking them to salute, or show respect to, all the believers in Christ that they knew or met.  He also said that those with him saluted the believers at Philippi as well.  We should have a mutual respect for all Christians.  Verse twenty-two continues, All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.  Paul said all the saints, especially those of the household of Caesar, saluted them.  Saints were not some group of super Christians but were simply those who had put their faith in Jesus Christ.  We are all a part of the priesthood of believers as followers of Christ and we should support and respect one another.  Verse twenty-three concludes, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  Paul asked that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and his, be with them.  We definitely need that grace in our lives today.

Philippians 4:1

Philippians 4:1 says, Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.  Paul expressed his great love for the Christians at Philippi.  This was a Godly love, in which he put their welfare above his own.  He also called on them to stand fast in their faith in Jesus Christ, and not in their faith in Paul himself.  We should also have a deep, Godly love for our fellow Christians, and want their well-being and for them to stand fast in their faith.  Verse two adds, I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.  Paul cited two women who were evidently at odds with each other and called on them to be like minded in Christ.  As long as these two women and we today as followers of Christ are guided by our faith in Christ, we should never have disagreements to come between us as we work for the advancement of God's kingdom.  Verse three continues, And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.  Paul also called on someone that he called a true yokefellow to help those women and Clement who had worked to help support him in his ministry.  Paul may not have been with them physically anymore, but he was with them spiritually.  We need to always pray for the spiritual wellbeing of our fellow laborers in Christ, wherever they may be.  Verse four declares, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Paul called on the Christians at Philippi to rejoice in the Lord, not just some of the time, but always.  We need to likewise always rejoice in the Lord, no matter what is going on in our life.  Verse five adds, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Paul called on them to live lives of moderation, which would be known by all those around them.  Paul called on them to do this because he said that the Lord was at hand.  We should live lives of moderation that reflect the values of Jesus Christ, because He is always at hand spiritually.  Verse six continues, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  Paul called on them to not be guided by worries about material things, but with prayer and supplication to give thanksgiving to God and make their requests for what they needed known to Him.  We should not be guided by material desires but should put our faith in God to meet our needs, but not to satisfy our wants.  Verse seven concludes, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Paul said that when they, and we, put our faith in Christ in all things and at all times that He will give us a peace that passes all understanding.  The lost people of the world will never understand how we as followers of Christ can be at peace in the world today, and we may not fully understand it ourselves, but if we put our faith in Christ, we should be at peace no matter what is going on.  Verse eight declares, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Paul then called on the Christians at Philippi to think on the things of God.  We can look around us and see all the evil that is going on in the world today, but we are not to let our thoughts be filled with these things but are to let our thoughts be filled with the things of God.  Verse nine adds, Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.  Paul called on them to do the things that they had learned from him, both by his words and actions.  He then said that if they did that the God of peace would be with them.  This did not mean that they were to look to Paul for salvation, but that they could look to him for an example of how to live life after receiving salvation through Jesus Christ.  Verse ten states, But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.  Paul said that he gave thanks to the Lord for the help that they were now able to offer him.  We should always give thanks to God anytime someone helps us in our spiritual walk in the world. 

Philippians 3:9

Philippians 3:9 says, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  Paul had listed all his qualifications to be called a child of God, then now says that he does not want to be judged by them, but by faith in Christ.  He wanted to be found in Christ and not his own righteousness.  No matter how righteous we may believe we are, our own righteousness will never save us.  We, like Paul, can only be saved by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse ten adds, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  Paul said that he wanted to know Christ, and not to just know of Him.  He wanted a personal relationship with Christ and wanted a fellowship with Him even in His sufferings and death.  Paul did not ask for material riches through his faith in Christ, but asked for faith that would sustain him through suffering and even death.  This is the faith that we need today.   Verse eleven continues, If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  Paul said that he would suffer for his faith in Christ or even die for it so that he might gain everlasting life.  This is our ultimate goal today as followers of Christ.  Verse twelve concludes, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Paul said that he did not claim to be perfect already, but that he lived to be made perfect through his faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul said he was apprehended by, or under the control of, Jesus Christ.  We are not perfect as Christians, but we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirteen declares, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  Paul said that he did not claim to have apprehended complete righteousness, but that he was reaching for it while forgetting the things that went before, which included the good and the bad.  We cannot stand on our past accomplishments nor allow our past failures to keep us from God.  We can only live our life dedicated to following Jesus Christ every day.  Verse fourteen adds, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Paul said that he lived by pressing toward the mark or the prize of the high calling of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  As Christians, this should be our goal every day.  We are pressing on toward God's everlasting home that He has waiting for us through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse fifteen states, Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  Paul called on those who were made perfect before the heavenly Father to be like minded in their faith to Jesus Christ.  We as followers of Jesus Christ are not perfect, but we strive toward perfection through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse sixteen adds, Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.  Paul said that those who had been saved by Jesus Christ, therefore being made perfect before the heavenly Father by the salvation of Jesus Christ, should be likeminded.  We as Christians should all be united in following God's will.  Verse seventeen says, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  Paul said that the Christians at Philippi should follow his example of faithful living, as well as the example of other faithful Christians.   I do not believe that Paul was calling on them to put their faith in him or any other Christian, but to learn how to be obedient to Jesus Christ by the example that he and others set.  We should learn from the example of other faithful Christians, but we can put our faith in Jesus Christ alone if we are to be saved.  Verse eighteen declares, (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  I believe that Paul is talking here about those who professed to be following Jesus Christ but really were enemies of the cross of Christ.  We cannot be followers of Jesus Christ and enemies of the cross, of a willingness to die to self, as well.  Verse nineteen adds, Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)  Paul said that those who only wanted the blessings of God without being willing to die for their faith would find only destruction.  We are called to die to self and earthly desires when we take up our cross daily.   Verse twenty continues, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  Paul said our conversation should be about the things of heaven and not the things of this world.  Verse twenty-one concludes, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.  Paul tells us that we should be transformed from the vile person that we are to the forgiven person that faith in Jesus Christ makes us.  This will ultimately occur at the return of Jesus Christ, but we are to strive for that state daily. 

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.