BOUND IN CHAINS, BUT ABOUNDING IN LOVE

Passage: Philippians 1:1-11

Key verse: 9

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

Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians while in chains and in the face of possible death. Yet he wrote with great joy, thanksgiving, love, and affection for the church in Philippi. Through his letter, we can see how Jesus’ sacrificial life brought Paul so much peace, joy, and passion even in the midst of suffering.

Paul addressed several topics in this letter, including his circumstances and the challenges facing the church in Philippi. He addressed disunity in the church. Although specific issues were not stated, he pointed to Jesus’ humility so they might recognize that people were more important than victory in arguments. He wanted to foster a loving community of believers, united in Christ.

Paul also addressed Judaizers who were trying to persuade the Gentile church to be circumcised based on Jewish laws. He called them enemies of the cross. Paul stressed the importance of having a righteousness that comes from the basis of faith in Christ—not from human achievement.

Paul sees the gospel as very much relevant to every aspect of life. Salvation and righteousness are attained by faith, but we still live in a world of suffering and darkness. We must strive to live up to what Christ has already attained for us in a manner worthy of the Gospel and shine like stars in the dark sky.

Apostle Paul was surprisingly full of joy. No matter what hardship he was under, he abided in the grace of God. Paul starts his letter with thanksgiving for the church in Philippi. He was confident that the seed of the Gospel planted in the hearts of them who received it would continue to grow and bear fruit. Paul knew that even though he was not with them in body, he could entrust them to God's grace and encourage them with his loving words.

I love how Paul mentions the affection of Christ Jesus. Jesus described his own love as a hen that longs to gathers her chicks under her wings (Mt 23:37). Paul’s prayer was that their love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Love grows when we make a decision to practice loving others. May we seek to understand rather than judge, show compassion rather than indifference, and show tenderness rather than harsh criticism. We can only love when we accept God's unconditional love for who we are, no matter where we came from and what mistakes we've made along the way. God's grace extends to all who receive it with faith.

Prayer: Lord, help my joy and love be bound not by circumstance but by the wellspring of your love for me that extends to all who receive it with faith.

One Word: Abound in love