Daily Scripture Reading Philippians 1:1-26

Humans naturally think that persecution is a bad thing. Western Christians routinely thank God for religious freedom and the ability to serve God without being arrested and tortured.

As we start reading Philippians today, we will see that Paul wrote this letter while he was imprisoned. Many Christians think that would be a bad thing; however, Paul recognized that his chains were furthering the gospel message. That reminds us that the obstacles and trials we face in life, while painful, might be good for the furtherance of the cause of Christ.

Phil. 1:1 ¶ Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, ¶ To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

This letter was written to the saints in Philippi. Paul first visited Philippi during his second missionary journey. After spending time in Asia, Paul had a vision in which he saw a man asking him to come to Macedonia. One of the first cities he visited was Philippi. This is where he met Lydia, a seller of purple, and where he cast a spirit out of a young girl who was bringing much profit to her masters. Paul and Silas were beaten and jailed, but at midnight they were singing and praising God when there was an earthquake.

Notice the phrase “overseers and deacons”. Early in the book of Acts, the Apostles appointed deacons to serve tables so that the Apostles could focus on their ministry. That established the principle that church leadership should consist of elders who focus on teaching, shepherding and prayer, while deacons take care of the physical needs. The first verse of Philippians indicates the leadership in Philippi followed that model.

Phil. 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil. 1:3 ¶ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

Phil. 1:4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,

Phil. 1:5 because of your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.

The “first day” probably refers to the first time Paul visited Philippi, which was in the middle of his second missionary journey.

Phil. 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil. 1:7 For it is only right for me to think this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers with me in this grace.

Noticed the word “chains”, indicating Paul was in prison.

Phil. 1:8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Phil. 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in full knowledge and all discernment,

First, note that Paul’s prayer was that the love of the Philippians would abound more and more. Second, notice the words “knowledge” and “discernment”. Paul did not pray that their love would abound in emotion. Instead, he prayed that their love would abound in knowledge.

Many Christians have the mentality that we should focus on feelings in order to exhibit Christian love. However, this verse indicates we should focus on gaining knowledge in order to increase Christian love.

Phil. 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and without fault until the day of Christ,

Phil. 1:11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Phil. 1:12 ¶ Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

Phil. 1:13 so that my chains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

Once again we see the word “chains” telling us Paul was in jail.

Many Christians look at trials and persecution as a hindrance to Christian living. However, Paul indicated that his tribulations were propelling the gospel message.

Phil. 1:14 and that most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my chains, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

By enduring his persecution, Paul strengthened and increased the courage of other believers.

It is normal to desire a life free of tribulation. On the other hand, if we fight through trials with a good attitude, we might help others increase the boldness of their faith.

Phil. 1:15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;

Phil. 1:16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

Phil. 1:17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my chains.

Phil. 1:18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. ¶ Yes, and I will rejoice,

Phil. 1:19 for I know that THIS WILL TURN OUT FOR MY SALVATION through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Look at the word “salvation”. Paul was not referring to being saved from eternal damnation. Instead, he was referring to being saved from his current physical state.

The words “save”, “saved”, “saving”, and “salvation” are used many times in the New Testament. Many Christians assume those words always refer to the saving of our spirit from eternal punishment. However, in this verse that is not the meaning. When we see these words in the Bible, we need to look at the context and be identify what people are being saved from in order to correctly understand what the Bible is saying.

Phil. 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

Think about the phrase “by life or by death”. Paul’s ultimate aim in everything was to magnify Christ, even if that meant dying.

Phil. 1:21 ¶ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Phil. 1:22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose.

Phil. 1:23 But I am hard-pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better,

Phil. 1:24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

Paul had a dilemma. He knew that dying and going to heaven was better for himself than continuing to live on earth. On the other hand, he knew that continuing to live and do ministry was better for the people he loved.

This is the dilemma all Christians face. As soon as we become believers, we are better off dying and going to heaven. However, that is not necessarily what is good for those whom we love.

Phil. 1:25 And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

Phil. 1:26 so that your reason for boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.

Western Christians routinely thank God for religious freedom and the ability to serve God without being arrested and tortured. When Paul was in jail, he recognized that his chains were furthering the gospel message. That reminds us that the obstacles and trials we face in life, while painful, might be good for the furtherance of the cause of Christ. Instead of bemoaning our problems, we should look for the positive things that arise out of our setbacks.

What trials have you endured in your life that actually turned out to be beneficial to yourself, to others, or to the cause of Christ?

What setbacks are you currently enduring, and how might they be accomplishing positive outcomes?

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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”