A Letter to the Church of Philippi-Pt. 3

so we continue…

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. ²⁰I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

(((Joel Thoughts))) Verse 19 has Paul requesting the continuation of the believers’ prayers for his deliverance from prison.  He also confidently believes that by the power of the Holy Spirit and the believers’ prayers, he would be released.  In verse 20, it seems that Paul is referring to his trial before the Roman authorities and winning his case (no way be ashamed).  The important thing was not life or death to Paul, but it was to bring God glory and to exalt God through whatever circumstances he found himself in. Verse 21 is one of the greatest theological statements of the Bible with “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Paul found every motive and reason to live and act in this life on earth in Christ crucified and resurrected.  He identified with Jesus with His sufferings and in his teaching.  No life circumstance (imprisonment, torture) could ever shake Paul from his faith in Christ crucified and resurrected.  For Paul to die— that would be even a greater gain because he would see the reward that he had been persecuted for for many years.  He would be with God–in His presence.

²²If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

(((Joel Thoughts))) These next few verses let us in the psyche of Paul and the dilemma that he is feeling over which he would rather face–life or death…

The life of an apostle in the first century was not a desired life…beatings, getting thrown of town, imprisonment, many times going hungry because of refusing meat sacrificed to idols (if there were weak Christians around), and being called heretics by many angry Jews.  Paul knew that if he were to die and be with Christ, things would be much easier for him than they were now, but he says,  “it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” Paul, knowing Christ’s character and attitude of service (Jesus came to serve and not to be served) recognizes that it would be much more beneficial to the Church if he would be released and stay alive to serve the Church and to guide them to spiritual maturity.

²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

(((Joel Thoughts))) Paul again shares his confidence that he would be released because he is sure that there is still is work to do in advancing the Philippians’ progress and joy in the faith.  Paul restates his mission and purpose in serving the believers in Philippi by stating—-”your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow.” Only a mature, holistic relationship with God can bring the believer the fullest joy.  Paul was confident that through his ministry the believers in Philippi would continue their journey towards maturity in Christ.