Through the Bible - Philippians

Then they came to Derbe in Lystra, and behold, there was a certain disciple there who was named Timothy... Now a vision appeared to Paul in the night, and there stood a man of Macedonia. And he prayed to him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. (Acts 16)

Paul's prison letter to a church he loved is the epistle of joy—and joy begins with humbling ourselves and putting Christ and others above self.

The Setting: Paul's Prison Epistles

Last week we began Paul's prison epistles with the letter to the church at Ephesus, and now we come to Philippi. Next week we'll look at Colossians and keep moving on. These letters were written by Paul from Rome during the period of about A.D. 60 to 62, and it is believed that this letter to Philippi was the last of his prison epistles. He writes it to a church very near and dear to his heart, because it was a church he had planted.

Before we look at the text of Philippians, we need to see how this church came to be in Acts 16. Paul was on his second missionary journey, now traveling with Silas. He and Barnabas had gotten into such contention over taking John Mark that they parted ways. Paul took Silas and set out to carry the word of God into Asia Minor.

The Macedonian Call

At Derbe and Lystra, Paul found a young disciple named Timothy—probably still a teenager—whose mother was Jewish and whose father was a Greek. Timothy was well reported of by the brethren, and Paul took him along, circumcising him because of the Jews in those quarters. As they went through the cities, they delivered the decrees ordained by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, the letter sent to the Gentile converts after the council there. And the churches were established in the faith and increased in number daily.

Paul was a stubborn man. He wanted to go east, to carry the word into Asia, but the Holy Spirit forbade him. As he tried to go east, God kept pressing him west. He tried Bithynia, and again the Spirit suffered him not. Finally, passing by Mysia, they came to Troas. If you look at a map, you'll see Troas had Paul trapped: water to the west and Asia, which God had forbidden, to the east. He couldn't go any further west without getting on a boat.

There a vision appeared to Paul in the night—a man of Macedonia saying, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." Immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia. Notice that word "we." At this point the point of view in Acts changes, because the author, whom we believe to be Luke, is now traveling with Paul. So we have at least Luke, Timothy, Paul, and Silas, traveling west. This is the first time the gospel moves into Europe.

Lydia and the Riverside

They sailed from Troas to Samothrace, then to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, a chief city of Macedonia and a Roman colony. Philippi was wealthy—near the gold mines of Macedonia, sitting on the Egnatian Way, considered a little Rome.

As was his fashion, Paul went looking for a synagogue, but there was none. A city needed ten Jewish men to build one, so the absence of a synagogue tells us there were few if any Jewish men there. When there was no synagogue, the Jews and God-fearers would gather by the river—a practice that began during the Babylonian captivity. There Paul found women gathered, and among them was Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart—underline that—and she attended to the things spoken by Paul. She was baptized with her household and constrained Paul's group to stay in her home. A woman of wealth, she ministered to their needs.

The Slave Girl and the Philippian Jailer

They weren't there long before an uproar arose, as so often happened in Paul's ministry. A slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination, who brought her masters much gain, followed Paul crying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who show unto us the way of salvation." She was speaking the truth, yet Paul was grieved. Why? Because she was not the kind of witness you want endorsing your ministry—a woman of seedy background to whom people came for false spiritual advice. Paul commanded the spirit to come out in the name of Jesus Christ, and it did.

Her masters, now unable to profit, dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrates. Without trial they were beaten and thrown into prison. Remember Paul's vision: a Macedonian man saying, "Come help us." To this point he had only met Lydia and her household. But in the prison at midnight, bound in stocks, Paul and Silas worshiped the Lord. An earthquake shook the prison, the stocks broke, the doors opened. The jailer awoke, ready to kill himself, but Paul cried, "We're all still here." Astonished, the man asked, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and your whole household will be saved."

Why didn't Paul tell him to repent? Because the man was already saying, "What must I do to be saved?"—he had already confessed he needed to change his course. The next day the magistrates wanted Paul out of the city, but Paul declared himself a Roman citizen who could not be treated so. As we've noted before, Paul used his Roman citizenship to further the gospel. As American citizens we likewise have a privileged status—our passport carries power. If you have the opportunity, carry Bibles into places like China, where your status can get you through the border.

A Strong Church and a Practice Problem

Paul was in Philippi only about a month, yet the church grew to be one of the strongest of the first century. One reason is Paul's investment and solid teaching; another, I believe, is that he left Luke there to pastor. When you read Philippians you see a church without major problems—a giving church, focused on helping the saints in Jerusalem and supporting Paul's ministry.

This letter is different from Paul's others. Most contain heavy exhortation or doctrinal instruction; this one is filled with joy. It has been called the epistle of joy. The word "joy" appears five times, and "rejoice" some thirteen times. In our children's ministry we explain joy with three words: Jesus, Others, and You. And that is exactly the theme of these four chapters—fix your eyes on the Lord first, others second, yourself last.

So did the church have no problem at all? I believe they did—not a doctrinal one, but a practice problem. They had good orthodoxy but a problem with orthopraxy. In chapter 4 Paul says, "I beseech Euodia and Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the Lord." That is nearly the only direct exhortation in the letter, yet the whole letter pulses with the theme: be of the same mind, be humble, esteem others above yourselves. I see this in our own day—many evangelical churches, many Calvary Chapels, have great doctrine and great teaching, yet their practice is a little off. To correct this, Paul gives four examples to follow.

The Supreme Example: Jesus

The first and supreme example is Jesus.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant... and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2)

You may know all the mysteries of Scripture, prophecy, and the spiritual realm, but as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, if you have not love you are a sounding brass and a clanging cymbal. So consider Jesus.

First, He is God—equal with the Father—yet did not regard that equality as something to grasp and hold. Our sinful flesh clings to what it has, but Jesus made Himself of no reputation. Second, He took the form of a bondservant—a servant by choice. In Exodus 21 a servant could go free after seven years, but one who loved his master could choose to remain, having his ear pierced with an awl against the doorpost as a sign. Notice how Paul opens this very letter: "Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ." They had chosen to be slaves of Christ, following His example.

Third, He humbled Himself. He was already lowest—God become man, then a servant—yet He humbled Himself even further. When the disciples asked who would be greatest in the kingdom, Jesus always pointed them back to servanthood. Fourth, He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross—obedient even to the natural laws He Himself had ordained. He never broke the rules, even when He could have.

Humility and Exaltation

And what is the result? As James tells us, if we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. (Philippians 2)

Who will be greatest in the kingdom of heaven? The answer is simple: Jesus. And who is next? Jesus said the one who is least here will be greatest there. Of John the Baptist He said no greater prophet had arisen, yet the least in the kingdom would be greater. God's economy is different from ours. He told us at a feast to take the lowest seat, so the master could come and bring us up higher. God is the one who exalts.

Jesus illustrated this in John 13. As the disciples gathered for the Last Supper, the basin and towel sat by the door, but every one of them stepped over it, took his seat, and let no one wash the feet. The honored guest, the head of the meal, laid aside His garment, girded Himself with a towel, and washed His disciples' feet—taking the task of the lowest servant. They all wanted to be great and would not do it. Jesus did. He is our perfect example.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

After Jesus, Paul holds up Timothy. "I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Jesus Christ." Everyone else looked out for themselves, but Timothy, like a son with his father, served with Paul in the gospel and cared for others.

Then Paul names Epaphroditus, a man from Philippi itself—"my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier." He had been sick near unto death, but God had mercy on him. Paul says, "Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation." Hold them in high esteem; note those who so walk. Epaphroditus risked his own life to bring Paul a gift and meet his needs.

Paul's Own Example

Fourthly, Paul uses himself—and notice he uses himself last. He wasn't focused on his own greatness.

We are always tempted, even as believers born again by the Spirit, to trust and boast in our flesh. So Paul says, in effect, if you think you have something to boast in, I have more.

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; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3)

This is Paul's resume. People today attach letters to their names—Ph.D., M.Div.—and plaster their accomplishments on the wall. Paul lists his credentials. Circumcised the eighth day means that from birth he kept the law, thanks to godly parents. He was from the right family, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews who could trace his lineage thousands of years with no Gentile mixture—something Jesus Himself could not claim, since His genealogy includes Gentiles. He was a Pharisee, of the spiritual elite, and not a casual one but a zealous one who got letters from the chief priest to persecute Christians. As touching the righteousness in the law, blameless—if you took him to court using God's law, you'd find no evidence he'd broken it.

But what did he do with all of it?

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord... and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. (Philippians 3)

Following Jesus' example, Paul made himself of no reputation. Christ is more valuable than anything in this world, so Paul gladly laid down everything—even his own will, even his desire to be right. All his righteousness, as Isaiah 64:6 says, was filthy rags; it won't stand on the day of Christ Jesus. It won't matter that you were more right than the next person if you have not received Christ as Lord. Paul wanted only to be found in Him, not having his own righteousness from the law, but the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Knowing Him in the Fellowship of His Sufferings

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. (Philippians 3)

Everyone wants to know God in the power of His resurrection, and God desires to work that power in us. But He wants us to go deeper still—to know Him in the fellowship of His sufferings. This is harder. The Philippians understood it; they had seen Paul beaten for Christ in their own city, his back torn open.

Then mark verse 12: "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after." When I think of Paul, I think, that's a Christian—that's the kind of man I'd want to be. Yet here is his view of himself: I'm not there yet. After many years as a great missionary, near the end of his life, he was still teachable. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Jesus saved us for a purpose, and Paul longed to lay hold of the very thing for which Christ laid hold of him.

Then he says, "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect"—as many as be mature—"be thus minded." Echoing chapter 2: let this mind be in you. And if you're not there yet, don't worry: "God shall reveal even this unto you." Then, "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." Who is the example? He has just given four.

Working Out What God Works In

What do we do when we share this practice problem, as we often do?

Wherefore, my beloved... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2)

"Work out your own salvation"—essentially, get it done. If the letter ended there, we'd leave in fear and trembling. But it doesn't. God works in us, first to will—giving us the desire to obey, one of the first marks of the new birth—and then to do, giving us the power. How? By His Holy Spirit. As Jesus said in Acts 1, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." As Zechariah says, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." So often we try to do it in our own strength, but Paul calls us to a different mindset.

Rejoice, and Think on These Things

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice... Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4)

This new mind begins in the place of rejoicing in the Lord, worshiping Him. Then Paul says:

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. (Philippians 4)

Much of what we do begins first as a thought. It has been said: a thought breeds an action, an action breeds a habit, a habit breeds a character, and a character breeds a destiny. So set your mind upon what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report. Meditate on these things, set your mind on things above, and your practice will begin moving in the right direction.

Paul also warns us to mark the bad examples: "many walk, of whom I have told you... that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly... who mind earthly things. For our conversation"—our citizenship—"is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." There are many who set their minds on earthly things; that is not our way.

So Philippians is a book about practice. If you want joy, it starts with humbling yourself and exalting others above yourself—Jesus supreme, others above self—and there you will find joy and rejoicing. But it all begins with a mindset, focusing on the things chapter 4 reveals.

Closing Prayer

Father, I do thank you for this letter, this work. I pray that you would stir in us a desire to look to you and not to be focused on the things of this earth. Give us a hunger and a thirst after righteousness, a hunger and a thirst after your word, that we could not be satisfied by anything other than time spent at your feet. And Lord, help us to be like you—to humble ourselves, make ourselves servants of no reputation, and be obedient to your word. We cannot do it in our own strength; left to ourselves we would walk from here in fear and trembling. But we know that you work in us both to will and to do your good pleasure. Work in us to be pleasing to you. For I ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.