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Paul’s optimism and rejoicing despite his circumstance certainly did not catch anyone off-guard in Philippi. I would venture, no one second-guessed his mood. You will recall that it was Paul and Silas who were found at midnight, praying, and singing praises (Acts 16:25) in Philippi. Now about 9 years later Paul finds himself in another jail and again his heart is rejoicing. His present imprisonment was critically different this time, for he was alone. There is no Silas to be his companion in the bleakness of a jail-cell at midnight. Timothy is his faithful companion, visiting Paul in his incarceration. Still, Paul’s mood seemed indomitable. He is found rejoicing, giving thanks, being filled with Christ, thinking of other believers, and being a blessing in the capacity he was able. We might ask, ‘what gave Paul such joy in his predicament?’ To which I submit that it was the control of the Spirit in his life. Galatians 5:22-23 will short-list joy as a mark of the Spirit led life. The Epistle to the Philippians bears testimony to the Spirit’s leading in Paul’s life. In his letter, Paul indicates that all nine of the Holy Spirit’s fruits are evident in his life. In this section, as throughout the epistle, we will notice his joy and rejoicing- this time as he is thankful to God for other Christians.

Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”

There is perhaps no antidote quite like thankfulness for bleak circumstances! And still, how thankfulness is a withering fruit in our day- just as scripture says it would be (2 Timothy 3:2). I’ve enjoyed Steve Brand’s thoughts on thankfulness: “True thankfulness is a lost attitude today - even among believers. I often wonder whether expressions like ‘Thank God’ are any more than mere euphemisms in many of our lives. I hear them said so often, but usually it seems to spring more from habit than from true gratefulness of heart… Thankfulness is one of the best ways that we can glorify God (Psalm 50:15).” The affection of the apostle for this group of believers seems to well within him constantly. The Greek word rendered “every” we have seen before. It was rendered “all” in verse 1. At that point we noted that it stands to indicate the whole and parts of the whole. What Paul is saying in essence I believe is this- “I thank God every time I remember you, and for all the remembrances I have of you.” Of course we are here exaggerating the extent of what was written for its’ meaning. There is a dual part lesson here, firstly to be thankful- but also to prove ourselves thank-worthy as the Philippians did.

Philippians 1:4 - “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy”

Three times in the first chapter of this short Epistle Paul refers to prayer. I’ve summarized the lessons of these inferences.

1. Philippians 1:4 – Paul’s Exercise in Prayer
2. Philippians 1:9 – Paul’s Expression of Prayer
3. Philippians 1:19 – Paul’s Expectation from Prayer (also, Phi. 4:6-7)

In verse 4 we have Paul’s exercise in prayer expressed three ways:

• ‘Always’ – How faithfully does he pray?
• ‘Every’ – How inclusive is this prayer in the sum of his prayers?
• ‘All’ – How many does he pray for?

Were the verse written to be true of many believer’s prayers for other Christians this is how it would be written. “Sometimes, when I do pray, for some of you making request”. How active and inclusive Paul is in his intercession! His character has taken on that of our Lord Jesus in prayer (John 17:9,15,20). As a result he is touching God’s will and heaven is pleased to respond. Let us remember that the “[Lord Jesus] spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1). It is his joy when we express dependence on him.

Again we meet the little Greek word ‘pas’. As noted in vs.3 and vs.1 it has the same meaning here. Each and every one of Paul’s prayers is savored with supplication for the Philippians. Further, the original implies that each of the Philippians were on his heart, just as they were corporately, for it was ‘for you all’ (vs. 4).

To note the inclusiveness of Paul in prayer draws to the forefront of our mind our own selfishness. Prayer is one of the most genuinely unselfish acts which a believer can be engaged in to the benefit of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If we genuinely believe that prayer can invoke the action and blessing of an Almighty God (and we do), how selfless it is to supplicate for others before God! May God encourage us to make our request for all our brethren, rather than incompletely, or out of a bitter sense of necessity. Before leaving the exercise of Paul in prayer let us all exhort our own hearts to be well known in the courts of heaven before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).

Philippians 1:5 – “For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”

What is Paul thankful for? What request is he making in prayer? It is thankfulness for the past fellowship in the gospel, and prayer for its’ continuation. One of the necessary evils when beginning the study of a book is the great number of outlines required to adequately draw themes from the book. As with Paul’s prayers in vs. 4, we are now concerned with his fellowship. Paul indicates in the book that he is partaking of 3 fellowships.

1. Philippians 1:5 – Fellowship in the Gospel
2. Philippians 2:1 – Fellowship of the Spirit
3. Philippians 3:10 – Fellowship of [Christ's] Sufferings

The believer’s in Philippi had placed themselves and their resources at the disposal of the gospel. Paul had enjoyed their fellowship, and their participation with him in the defense and spread of the gospel. It is apparent that while the believer’s in Rome were antagonizing the imprisoned Paul by their preaching (vs.16), this was not the charge of Paul against the Philippians. He remembered their past fellowship, their present fellowship expressed practically- a gift send by Epaphroditus- and he is praying for their future fellowship in the gospel

Fellowship in the gospel had marked the Philippian believer’s ‘from the first day’. The Greek word here rendered is significant as we consider the etymological lineage it has produced. The word used for ‘first’ is ‘protos’ from this we have garnered the word ‘prototype’. Further it is anarthrous, meaning that it is used without the definite article. The import of this is to draw our attention to the characteristics and importance of the thing mentioned. ‘The’ in the Authorized Version is supplied so that we might read “from first day until now.” It is cumbersome. Perhaps if this was being written in today’s English, the Spirit would have said “for your fellowship in the gospel from day one.” It stands to indicate their unwavering support of the apostle throughout the many phases, and unpopularities of his ministry. These believers were the true grass-roots members of the gospel in the Gentile world. Paul then notes that this fellowship has been extended ‘until now’, but his prayer in vs.6 is that the Spirit will continue it ‘until the day of Jesus Christ.’

It is a wonderful testimony to these believers that for 9 years from Acts 16 they had been in fellowship with Paul in the gospel. Others, like John Mark had a part in this fellowship but had departed, this unfaithfulness led to Paul’s disinclination to continue in the work with him (Acts 15:37-38). In fact, in Acts 15 Paul had refused to take Mark with him immediately before coming to Philippi where the Philippian church started. Ultimately though Paul recognized his value in the furtherance of the gospel (2 Timothy 4:11), and desires his fellowship in the gospel. Indeed, the same year that Paul writes to the Philippians of the fellowship of the gospel, he wrote to Timothy commending Mark! Had God worked with Paul about his attitude of apparent intolerance for those who were not as strong as he? Had the prison experience taught him of the value of comradeship in the gospel, and given him a fresh appreciation for all who had partaken in this fellowship? Perhaps John Mark recognized his own place in this fellowship after the apostle Paul was imprisoned? We do not know, scripture does not say. We do know that Paul was thankful now for all who preached Christ, regardless of their motive. But to their commending, such infidelity did not mark the Philippians, Paul recognizes the invaluableness of their steadfast fellowship in his work and in the proclamation of the gospel from the beginning.

Philippians 1:6 - “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”

Paul draws the mind of the believers to think of the heavenly and eternal impact of their fellowship. He reminds them that is God who has begun the good work in them which manifested itself in their fellowship – likewise it was God who would continue that same operation of grace until they should meet Christ at the judgment seat. Thank God for his continuing work in our life, which he performs for His own glory and purpose, but to our reward! Paul’s confidence cannot lie in the Philippians, for he had seen other men, who had resisted God’s Spirit and had consequently gone astray. Rather, Paul’s confidence lay in God for the continuation of the work. Any Christian attempting to perform this work in his own power is like to have it said of himself “This man began to build, and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:30). Paul’s confidence is doubled by the evident power of the Spirit to begin and maintain this work for 9 years.

Additional Notes on Philippians 1:3-6:

Verses 3-6 of Philippians 1 forms a rough outline for the chapter. In vs. 3-4 Paul mentions his thanksgiving and prayer for the saints this corresponds with s.9-11. Verse 5 mentions the fellowship of the believers in the gospel, this parallels vs. 12-21. Finally, verse 6 speaks of the finishing work of the operation of God in their lives this roughly outlines 22-30.

This article is part of the “Fridays in Philippians” series of synchroblogs.

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