Last week we looked at the first eleven verses of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi and how Christians can take joy in one another because of the special bonds we share thanks to Christ’s death and resurrection. This week we will look at the rest of chapter 1 (verses 12-30) and see how Paul explains how to take joy amidst suffering.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I 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. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If 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! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Last week, we saw three ways Christians can take joy in each other. This week we will also look at three sections of the text, this time looking at how we can take joy in suffering. First we will look at verses 12-19.
In this first section, Paul explains to the Philippians how his suffering is spreading the gospel. In verse 12 he writes: everything that has happened to me here has helped spread the gospel. He continues in verse 13 by saying everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. As Paul endured beatings and imprisonment, outsiders couldn’t help but notice his attitude of piety and love towards Christ and this showed the hope in which he had placed his life. Paul encourages us that when we take an attitude of trust in Christ during times of hardship, people see this and likewise see Christ. Other believers also see our attitudes and can take encouragement in how we are handling a situation. In verse 14 Paul writes: And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. Times of suffering are hard but when we put our trust in Christ during these trials, we can take great joy in knowing that we are a witness to those who do not believe and an encouragement to those who do. If our hope is in Christ and thus our lives are not of this earth, then our attitude toward suffering and trials should be different then someone who’s life is solely based on this earth or who’s faith is in another means of salvation. Islamic extremists are so sure of the blessings of martyrdom that they are willing to give their lives to receive it. If we proclaim to follow Christ and are so sure of his saving grace, then why are we not giving our lives to advance the gospel? So often we look at missionaries who have moved to a foreign country, a desolate location or have even lost their life in the field and we hold them on a pedestal like they are better or different then us. “I could never do something like that” is a common expression towards men and women like Jim Elliot, Amy Carmichael or Hudson Taylor. But that just shows our lack of trust in Christ! I am guilty of this same lack of faith as I so often find it hard to share the gospel with others. So let us as Christians trust in Christ in our daily lives and especially in our times of hardship when all eyes are upon how we will react.
In verses 20-26, Paul continues to show how his hope is not on the earth but rather in his future with Christ in heaven. However, he tells the Philippians that while he is on earth, he will continue to encourage them. Our lives should be an encouragement to others, not just in how we live but also in how we pray and how we interact. How we live, like I spoke of earlier specifically in negative situations, can be an indirect encouragement to other believers in many ways. When we see someone living for Christ hopefully we can take encouragement and joy, like we talked about last week, in them. We also should be praying for our Christian friends and being an encouragement to them in that way as well. The pastor of the church I attended today spoke on Matthew 18:15-20 and related it to Ezekiel 33:7-9 where Ezekiel is made a watchman over the people of Israel and is to love them and speak the word of God to them. The pastor encouraged us to be watchmen over one another, especially in prayer. Lastly, as we directly interact with one another we should encourage them in their walks with Christ. We cannot walk this road alone so be sure to be present in the lives of one another.
In the final four verses Paul gives us his finale how through suffering we can take joy. As I spoke of before, our hope is not in this world but in Christ, and because of this, we can take joy in suffering because we know we can never lose Christ. James writes in chapter 1 verses 2 and 3 of his letter: consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverence. So let us live with our eyes on Jesus, no matter what may come our way, and put our hope fully in our salvation in Jesus Christ.
When our hope is in this life alone, suffering sucks. Pain and sorrow are never fun nor are they enjoyable. But as Christians, those who have placed their hope in Jesus Christ dying in their place for the sins they have committed, we can take “pure joy in sufferings of many kinds”. We can take joy in suffering because we know our attitudes in our times of trial share the gospel, encourage others and show that our hope is not placed in this world. So when good times are here, enjoy them together and when trials come, endure them together, encourage one another, and trust in Christ.
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