September 1, 2004, Vol.4,
No.17.
Two new articles every two weeks.
Bible Question? E-mail
us.
THIS ISSUE: "Rejoice
in the Lord ( part 1)" (see
below)
and "part 2"
"Rejoice
in the Lord"
Devotional Study of Philippians
- part 1
Introduction
by Keith Sharp
Author
The apostle Paul along with the evangelist Timothy wrote Philippians
(1:1). Apparently Epaphroditus bore the letter to Philippi. He
had been Philippi's unselfish messenger to minister to Paul,
but fell gravely ill at Rome, and Paul sent him back to Philippi
(2:25-30; 4:18).
Where Written
Paul was in prison in Rome when he sent the letter (1:7,12-14;
4:22).
When Written
At the time Paul wrote, he had been in prison long enough
that his situation had made an impact on the brethren (1:12-14),
and he had converted some while in prison, even from among the
household of Caesar (4:22). He expected to be released before
long (2:23-24). Probably the apostle sent this letter toward
the end of his first imprisonment in Rome, ca. A.D. 61 or 62.
To Whom Written
Paul addressed Philippians to "all the saints in Christ
Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons."(1:1)
This is a capsule summary of the scriptural organization of a
local church of Christ.
The City of Philippi
The city of Philippi was located in the Roman colony of Macedonia,
on the northern border of Achaia (Greece) and the eastern corner
of Europe. It originally belonged to Thrace but was captured
by Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, in 358
BC and named for him.
Philippi was located on a strategic spot on the Egnatian Road
and, through its seaport of Neapolis, linked Southeastern Europe
with Asia. The Romans, recognizing its military importance, made
it a Roman colony (Acts 16:12). Thus it became a military city
rather than a commercial one. As results its citizens had the
coveted Roman citizenship, and its Jewish population was too
small to build a synagogue (Acts 16:13). In fact, the Jews were
apparently held in contempt here (Acts 16:20). It was a leading
city of Macedonia (Acts 16:12).
The Church in Philippi
On the apostle Paul's second evangelistic journey, he received
in a vision at Troas the "Macedonian Call" - "'Come
over to Macedonia and help us.'" (Acts 16:6-11) Paul and
his company immediately went to Philippi, where on a Sabbath
Paul preached the first gospel sermon on the European continent
to a group of Jewish business women gathered for prayer by the
river (Acts 16:12-13).
These same women became the first Christians in Europe and
the original members of the church in Philippi (Acts 16:14-15).
Other reported converts were pagan (Acts 16:16-34).
The church began in the midst of persecution (Acts 16:16-25).
Even as Paul wrote to them, they were in tribulation and poverty
(1:28-30; 2 Corinthians 8:1-2).
After Paul left, Luke remained behind at Philippi (Acts 16:10,40
- "we," "they") until Paul began his return
to Jerusalem on his third journey (Acts 20:5-6). Silas and Timothy
also labored in Philippi (Acts 18:5). Paul was through Philippi
twice on his third journey (Acts 20:1-2,5-6; 2 Corinthians 2:13).
Despite their suffering and poverty, the Philippians were
a source of voluntary, loving help to Paul from the time they
were converted to Christ (Acts 16:15,33-34) and were a constant
source of help to him afterward (1:3-5; 4:15-16). He could not
think of them without thanking God with joy for them, and they
were the constant subject of his prayers (1:3-4). They were the
church closest to the great apostle's heart (4:1). Unlike other
churches, Paul directed no rebukes to Philippi, only a gentle
reminder to two women to get along (4:2). Philippians is truly
Paul's "love letter" to the saints in Philippi.
Theme
The theme of Philippians is "Rejoice in the Lord."
(4:4) In this epistle Paul uses the word "rejoice"
twelve times (1:18 [2], 26; 2:16,17, 18, 28; 3:1,3; 4:4 [2],10),
"joy" four (1:4,25; 2:2; 4:1), "glad" (verb
form of "joy") two (2:17-18), "gladness"
(same Greek word as "joy") one (2:29), "thank"
one (1:3), "thanksgiving" one (4:6 ) and "peace"
three times (1:2; 4:7,9). In this short letter the apostle reveals
how we can have joy, an inward sense of well being, and peace,
a mind free from turmoil and trouble, in all life's situations.
Key
The key to Philippians is "Meditate on These Things."
(4:8) Peace and joy are the results, not of outward circumstances,
but of the condition of the heart. The author uses the term "mind"
nine times (1:27; 2:2,3,5; 3:15,16,19; 4:2,7), "heart"
twice (1:7; 4:7 ), "think" twice (1:7; 3:4), "spirit"
(i.e., human spirit) once (1:27), "meditate" (consider,
take into account, weigh) once (4:8), and "remembrance"
once (1:3). Each chapter of Philippians gives a key to joy and
peace.
Conclusion
Is your life one of "joy inexpressible" (1 Peter
1:8) and "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding"
(Philippians 4:7)? Are you instead depressed, worried and miserable?
The Lord wants to replace the despondency and anxiety of our
lives with joy and peace. Will you study with me, examine your
own heart and life in the light of what you learn and incorporate
the changes you need to make into your mind and life? You too
may "Rejoice in the Lord always."
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