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Published Oct. 16, 2024, 11:51 a.m.
Philippi -- Rome away from Rome. Philippians are proud of their Roman citizenship.
Greetings; Thanksgiving and Prayer -- Paul loves the Philippians with tenderness. No harsh rebukes as with some other letters.
Paul's condition (in jail awaiting execution) advances the gospel.
Paul expects the prayer of the Philippians and the Holy Spirit to deliver Paul from his current situation -- either in continued living for Christ sake or dying for eternal gain.
Remember Christ's humility on the cross (and imitate it!). His humble obedience in death foreran his being exaulted by the Father.
So then, continue in obedience deomstrating God's salvation working out in your lives.
Do everything without grubling or complaining; The world is watching.
Timothy (Greek Father, Jewish mother) is Paul's trusted co-laborer and will come to you. Paul sends Epaphroditus (Roman name) who nearly died for Christ but was restored.
Paul warns to beware of the "dogs" -- those who mutilate the flesh -- circumcision party; If credentials or "confidence in the flesh" meant anything, Paul would have the most to brag about, but Paul counts all his credentials as "rubbish" or "dung".
That is because there are 2 types of righteousness: Human Righteousness and Christ's Righteouness.
Citizenship and Discipleship
Paul often engages in metaphors to make his teaching more accessible for his readers. The readers of the first century would grasp things more easily than we might without a little extra effort. Paul often uses agricultural metaphors, archetechtural metaphors and here athletic metaphors. Here, Paul is speaking to christians.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
4 Therefore, my brothers,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[b] help these women, who have labored[c] side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.