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READ   Philippians 1:22-24   22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.     After writing that he wanted to honor Christ by life or by death, Paul comments further. He saw the value of continuing to live. He could do more work for the Lord if he stayed but then wa

READ   Philippians 1:25-26   25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.     In his case, Paul was convinced he would remain alive at that time to continue to help the Philippian believers. He wanted them to spiritually grow and rejoice in their faith.

READ   Philippians 1:5-6   5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.     Paul was especially thankful for the believers in Philippi who had been faithful partners with him in the ministry since he first came to their city. God had begun a good work in

READ   Philippians 1:7-8   7  So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.   8  God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.     Philippians is called one of “The Prison Epistles” along with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. Paul’s tenderness for

READ   Philippians 1:9-10   9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.     Notice what was on his mind as Paul prayed for these believers. He did not pray for their physical problems or that they would be free from persecution; he prayed for their spiritual growth. He wa

READ   Philippians 1:11   11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.     Paul wanted believers to “be filled with the fruit of your salvation.” He even defined what he meant: “the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ.” Notice it is not produced by the believer’s self-effort; it is produced by Jesus Christ. Paul even tells the r

READ   Philippians 1:12-14   12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.     Even though he was imprisoned, Paul saw the sovereignty of God at work. Becaus

READ   Philippians 1:15-17   15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.     Paul knew about those who were preaching with impure motives. Lik

READ   Philippians 1:18-19   18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.     Regardless of whether the motives of others preaching the gospel were good or bad, notice what Paul said. He rejoiced that Christ was being preached. In spite of

READ   Philippians 1:20-21   20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.     Paul’s desire was to preach Christ unashamedly and boldly. Above all he wanted to honor Christ whether by his life or by his death. Verse 21 reveals there is no s

READ   Philippians 1:22-24   22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.     After writing that he wanted to honor Christ by life or by death, Paul comments further. He saw the value of continuing to live. He could do more work for the Lord if he stayed but then wa

READ   Philippians 1:25-26   25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.     In his case, Paul was convinced he would remain alive at that time to continue to help the Philippian believers. He wanted them to spiritually grow and rejoice in their faith.

READ   Philippians 1:27   27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.     The Philippian believers would know what Paul was referring to when he referred to “citizens.” When he was arrested, beaten and jai

READ   Philippians 1:28-29   28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.     Believers want to be a testimony to those who need Jesus. Here Paul tells how to be a good witness: by not being intimidated by your enemies. Even your atti

READ   Philippians 1:30   30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.     Sometimes people are given the impression that the Christian life is an easy life. Paul never portrayed it this way. He reminded the Philippian believers that they and he were in this struggle together. In verse 27 he had mentioned “fighting together for the faith.” The Philippians had seen Paul’s struggle in the past and t

READ   Philippians 2:1-2   1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.     Paul asks believers a series of questions. The answers to the questions he asked are assumed to be “Yes.” With these things being true, Paul then m

READ   Philippians 2:3-4   3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.     After telling believers what to do, Paul now tells them what not to do. It seems that being selfish is what causes the other problems—trying to impress others, not being humble, thinking you are better than others, looking out for only your interests. Paul was

READ   Philippians 2:5-8   5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God,   he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.     Paul now gives believers an example to show how they should live. It has to d

READ   Philippians 2:9-11   9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.     Paul now reveals what the heavenly Father did for His only Son because of what His Son was willing to do. Some refuse to believe the Bible and say it was only w

READ   Philippians 2:12-13   12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.     After giving the believers the example of how they should be like Jesus, Paul now gives them more directions. He wanted them to show others t

READ   Philippians 2:14-15   14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.     Paul has stressed previously how the believers should relate to each other. Here he tells them to “do everything without complaining and arguing.” He added the reason for these instructions: “so that no one can criticize you.” No one shou

READ   Philippians 2:16-18   16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.     As Paul was writing the believers did not hav

READ   Philippians 2:19-21   19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.     Paul tells the Philippian believers of his desire to send Timothy to them. Timothy was an assistant to Paul and dearly treasured as a his fr

READ   Philippians 2:22-24   22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.     Paul reminds the believers how Timothy has proved himself and served with Paul like a son in preaching the gospel. Paul was apparently waiting on a d