NIV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 78
P h i l i pp i a n s 1 : 3
•
page 2062
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. g 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always
pray h with joy 5because of your partnership i in the gospel from the first day j until now,
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to com
pletion until the day of Christ Jesus. k
7 It is r
ight l for me to feel this way a
bout all of you, s ince I have you in my heart m and,
whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s
grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my p
rayer: that your love n may a
bound more and more in knowledge
and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure
and blameless for the day of Christ, o 11filled with the fruit of righteousness p that comes
through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, a that what has happened to me has
actually served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the
1:3
gRo 1:8
1:4
hRo
1:10
1:5
iAc 2:42; Php 4:15
jAc 16:1240
1:6
kver
10; 1Co 1:8
1:7
l2Pe 1:13
m2Co 7:3
1:9
n1Th 3:12
1:10
over 6; 1Co 1:8
1:11
pJas 3:18
a 12 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part
of God’s family; also in verse 14; and in 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 8, 21.
LOCATION
OF PHILIPPI
Philippi sat on the
Egnatian Way, the
main transportation
route in Macedonia
and an extension
of the Appian Way,
which joined the
eastern empire with
Italy.
MACEDONIA
Rome
Philippi
N
Aegean
Sea
Athens
Antioch
Mediterranean Sea
Jerusalem
300 mi
0
0
300 km
1:4-5 The Philippians had first heard the gospel about ten years earlier,
1:6 Do you sometimes feel as though you aren’t making enough progress
when Paul and his companions had visited Philippi during Paul’s second
missionary journey and founded the church there.
1:4 Paul uses the word joy many times in this letter. He remembered the
Philippians with joy and thanksgiving whenever he prayed. By helping
Paul, they were helping Christ’s cause. The Philippians were willing to
be partners with Paul in whatever God wanted them to do. When others
think about you, what comes to their minds? Do they think of you with
joy? Do your acts of kindness make them happy and thankful?
1:5 When Paul said that the Philippians were his partners in spreading the
gospel, he was remembering how they gave him practical help when he
was in Philippi and contributed financial support when he was in prison.
As we help our ministers, missionaries, and evangelists through prayer,
hospitality, and financial gifts, we become their partners in spreading
the gospel message.
1:6 God initiated our salvation, continues his transforming work in us
throughout our lifetimes, and will finish it when we meet him face-to-face.
God’s work for us began when Christ Jesus died on the cross in our place.
His work in us began when we first believed. Now the Holy Spirit lives in
us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. Paul is describing the
process of becoming more like Jesus that began when we accepted him
and will continue until we are united with him forever.
in your spiritual life? When God starts a project, he completes it! As with
the Philippians, God will help you grow in grace until he has completed
his work in your life. When you are discouraged, remember that God won’t
give up on you. When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by
your shortcomings, remember God’s promises and provision. Don’t let
your present, imperfect condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ
Jesus or keep you from growing closer to him.
1:7-8 Have you ever longed to see a friend with whom you share fond
memories? Paul had a longing like this to see the Christians at Philippi.
His love and affection for them was based not merely on past experiences
but also on the unity that comes when believers draw upon Christ’s love.
All who follow him become part of God’s family and thus share equally
in the transforming power of his love. Do you feel a deep love for fellow
Christians—friends and strangers alike? Let Christ’s love for you motivate
you to look at other Christians through the eyes of Jesus and to express
his love in the way you treat them.
1:7 When he said, “in chains,” Paul was probably referring to his imprisonment in Philippi (see Acts 16:22-36). In Philippians 1:13-14, Paul
speaks of his Roman imprisonment. Wherever Paul was, even in prison,
he faithfully preached the gospel. Remember Paul’s inspiring example
when hindrances, small or large, slow down your journey with God.