COMPLETION IN CHRIST

Passage: Philippians 1:1-11

Key verse: 6

NIV

1 Paul and Timothy,(A) servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people(B) in Christ Jesus at Philippi,(C) together with the overseers(D) and deacons[a]:(E)

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(F)

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 5 because 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 completion(K) until the day of Christ Jesus.(L)

7 It is right(M) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart(N) and, whether I am in chains(O) or defending(P) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify(Q) how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love(R) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,(S) 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,(T) 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness(U) that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 1:1 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Romans 16:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Greeting

1 Paul and Timothy, servants[a] of Christ Jesus,

To all the (A)saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the (B)overseers[b] and (C)deacons:[c]

2 (D)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 (E)I thank my God (F)in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 (G)because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began (H)a good work in you (I)will bring it to completion at (J)the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you (K)in my heart, for you are all (L)partakers with me of grace,[d] both (M)in my imprisonment and in (N)the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For (O)God is my witness, (P)how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that (Q)your love may abound more and more, (R)with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, (S)and so be pure and blameless (T)for the day of Christ, 11 filled (U)with the fruit of righteousness that comes (V)through Jesus Christ, (W)to the glory and praise of God.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
  2. Philippians 1:1 Or bishops; Greek episkopoi
  3. Philippians 1:1 Or servants, or ministers; Greek diakonoi
  4. Philippians 1:7 Or you all have fellowship with me in grace
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS

The Book of Philippians was written by Paul in Rome around 6

-62 A.D. and is considered one of his Prison Epistles (along with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon). Philippi was a Roman colony and a leading city in Macedonia, along the Via Egnatia highway connecting Rome to the East. Philippi profited from its gold ore, and many Roman soldiers retired there. Though situated in Greece, the city used Latin as its official language, followed Roman customs, and was called, 'Little Rome.' Its people were proud Roman citizens, and women enjoyed financial success and social freedom.

Philippi was the first church in Europe. The Philippian Christians actively supported Paul financially and had sent Epaphroditus to deliver their support and to be his helper. After Epaphroditus became ill, Paul sent him back with this letter to thank them for their support, explain why Epaphroditus was returning, report on Paul's condition in prison, warn them against false teachers, and urge them to be united. His letter also addresses complacency and self-reliance, which are enemies of the cross.

Thus, Paul emphasized the life in Christ. He refers to Jesus Christ 51 times in 1

4 verses. The key verse of this book is Philippians 1:21, 'To live is Christ, to die is gain.' This was the secret to joy in Paul's life. He was passionate in his desire to be Christlike. Let's learn the secret to joy and victory through pursuing Christlikeness!

1. God will complete us in Christ (1-6)

In prison, Paul did not despair or shrink back. Paul was thankful and joyful by remembering the Philippians' strong partnership in the gospel. He prayed for them day and night and gained an assurance that God who began a good work in them will complete his work until the Day of Christ. Through his Christlike struggle to be thankful, joyful, and prayerful, Paul could have a vision of Christ's final victory and salvation!

2. This is my prayer (7-11)

Instead of worrying, Paul prayed earnestly for them to abound in love and insight. Abound means to overflow. By abounding in love and insight, they could discern what is best and be pure and blameless on the Day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness in Christ, glorifying God!

Prayer: Lord, instead of worrying, help me to pray for others day and night, trusting God to complete the good work he began in them until the Day of Christ.

One Word: Completed in Christ!