Epistles

Monday, 16 January 2017

For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. Philippians 2:20

The word translated as “For” is referring back to the previous verse and its content –

“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.”

Timothy was with Paul and he was a treasured fellow Christian because he could fully rely on him. Paul sincerely cared for the Philippians and how they were faring, and he knew that Timothy felt the same. His words, “I have no one like-minded,” demonstrate a trust in him that went beyond mere friendship. The word translated as “like-minded” is isopsuchos. This is its only use in the Bible, and it means literally  “of equal soul.” Timothy would have care and concern for those in Philippi in the same Spirit-produced manner as Paul would have.

He then confirms this by saying that Timothy would “sincerely care for your state.” The word translated as “sincerely” is an adverb only found here in the Bible, gnésiós. It signifies “genuinely” or “truly.” There would be nothing false in his dealings. His intent was not profit or fame, but the care of others. The word has a kindred adjective which is found a few times in Scripture, once where Paul calls Timothy his “true son” in the faith.

It was understood that he could be fully trusted because of this like-minded heart and attitude. He was one that realized the importance of the concept found in Hebrews 13:17 –

“…for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.”

Life application: There are many who act rightly, but for the wrong reasons. It is a joy when one can rely on another, knowing full well that they are not only determined to do right, but to do so for the right reasons. Such a person can be fully trusted in all matters. Let each of us endeavor to have our heart aligned with our actions, working together in sincerity and understanding that we are accountable to Christ Jesus for all we do.

Lord God, how often it is that we do the right thing, but we do it for the wrong reasons. Help  us to not serve with our actions only, but with our hearts and with a right attitude. In so doing, others will see that we are fully trustworthy, not only when the eye is upon us, but when we are left to handle things on our own. In the end, Your eye is always upon us, and it is to You that we should always endeavor to be pleasing. To Your glory! Amen.

Sunday, 15 January 2017

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. Philippians 2:19

In verse 17, Paul had noted his condition, which bore even the possibility of his death. Regardless of life or death, he intended to continue on with the ministry towards those at Philippi, and with the full assurance that the Lord would direct all things according to His wisdom. He now says based on this, “But.” The word can mean “but,” “moreover,” etc. It is a contrast, or a complement, to his own state. He then notes that “I trust in the Lord Jesus…”

Despite being an apostle, he was limited in what he knew concerning future events. He only prophesied when the Lord revealed His intentions. Other than that, he remained dependent on the Lord’s ability to take care of future events as they would come to pass; he trusted in that notion. For now, his trust in the Lord was that he would be able “to send Timothy to you shortly.”

It is of note that he speaks of Timothy in the third person even though the opening to the epistle stated, “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ…” Though they were together as greeters in the opening salutation, the words of the epistle belong to Paul alone. Only his words are of divine inspiration for the doctrinal matters of the epistle.

His intent in sending Timothy was “that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.” He is writing the epistle as an encouragement to them. In sending Timothy, he would then hear about them and receive the same encouragement. It appears from this that Timothy did not carry the letter, but would only be sent at a later date.

The sequence of events, when compared to Acts 16, shows the possibility of the events as laid out in the epistle, but they must be inferred from both. In other words, the two books stand alone, and one was certainly not copied off another as deniers of the Bible claim. Rather, they are independent accounts which sew together seamlessly, but with a precision that avoids any chance that they were intentionally manipulated in order to simply have one confirm the other.

Life application: Getting a note or a word of encouragement out of the blue is a wonderful thing to receive. Take time today to pen a note, make a post, or give a call to someone that hasn’t heard from you in a while.

Lord God, it surely is good and pleasant to be at harmony with other believers. It is so easy to tear one another apart over issues which we are passionate about, but unless they involve truly bad doctrine, is it worth it? One or the other is lacking in proper understanding, but that does not make them a criminal. It means that there is just a need for more study. And it is more than possible that the one in need of study isn’t the other person! Help us to be willing to work in harmony towards a complete understanding and appreciation of Your word. Amen.

Friday, 13 January 2017

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Philippians 2:17

In the previous verses, Paul has asked for the Philippians obedience (vs. 12). He then said in verse 16, “so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” With this in mind, he now explains what the result of this will be for him. The translation begins with “Yes,” however, the word in Greek is a strong adversative conjunction. It means, “but” as in “but instead,” or more literally “otherwise.” He is showing that a contrasting thought exists in him, but with which he is fully content as long as their obedience is realized.

This contrast is, “…if I am being poured out as a drink offering.” The word is spendó, and it means “to make a libation. It is a drink offering poured out which symbolizes total surrender, even to the point of death. It is use here and in 2 Timothy 4:6. The KJV unfortunately misses the metaphor here and simply calls it an “offering.” There are many types of offerings, even some that do not lead to death, but this one is specific. The Bible says that the life is in the blood. Therefore, to be poured out as a drink offering has a special meaning. Even if his life-blood is poured out, he will be content.

He then notes that this pouring out is “on the sacrifice and service of your faith.” In other words, if his work in leading them to the obedience mentioned above was effective, then his death would have meaning and purpose. There was obviously some sort of internal problem in the church at Philippi that was causing them to not be like-minded. In attempting to correct them, he gave them the example par-excellence of Christ in verses 2:5-2:11. This was then followed up by his call for obedience. It is this idea of harmony within the fellowship which he is especially directing his hopes towards.

Not only then had they been brought to the faith, but he was looking for obedience in “the sacrifice and service of” it. The word “sacrifice” is generally agreed by scholars to be referring not to the act of sacrificing, but to the thing sacrificed. They were to be (as he said to those in Rome) “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

That they were living sacrifices would lead to the “service of your faith.” The two ideas are given here after the example of Christ of the previous verses. They have been given the pattern, and now they were being asked to follow in like-minded living. If they were to do so, the pouring of out Paul’s life-blood would be well worth it. His death would mean so little in comparison to their obedience that he says, “I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

As can be seen, proper conduct and living before the Lord was of such importance to him that his life would be considered well spent if this were to come about. And because his words are recorded in Scripture, each church that is likewise obedient today carries on the same great tradition of that which he would be well pleased with.

Life application: Someday we will stand before Jesus and give an account for our conduct in our lives, and in our dealings with our fellow congregants. Paul will be there as well, and the words “well done” from Jesus will surely bring a happy smile from him as well. We are to look to the New Testament epistles as our tools of instruction for proper church-age doctrine. Let us do so with hopes of bringing honor to the Lord Jesus.

Heavenly Father, remind us daily of the brevity of this life. Help us to keep all things in their proper perspective, and to live for the eternal, rather than the temporary. Each choice we make now has a bearing on what lies ahead. So please help us to not be consumed with what is passing away, but in that which shall be unto the ages of ages. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, and to carry Your word with us, being obedient to it so that we are found pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

Thursday, 12 January 2017

…holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16

The words of the first clause, “holding fast the word of life,” are given as a continued contrast to one thought in the previous verse, and as an added exhortation to another thought.

Verse 15 said, “…in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

In contrast to the “crooked and perverse generation, the saints “shine as lights in the world.” Further, instead of being crooked, they are to hold “fast the word of life.” In other words, “holding fast the word of life” is how they can “shine as lights in the world.” They are as beacons to those around them, but they are so because of the message they profess. The message of Jesus is the word of life. He said as much in John 5:39 –

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

Jesus was referring to the Old Testament Scriptures at that time. They spoke of Him, and they were intended to direct the people’s attention to Him. Likewise, the words of the apostles which then explain Christ to the saints also contain this same word. Jesus said as much in John 15 –

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. ²⁷ And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” John 15:26,  27

The Spirit would continue to testify of Christ through these men, carrying the word of life to the people of Israel and to the nations of the world. It is this message which Paul calls “the word of life.” His petition is that they hold fast to it “so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ.” He was an apostle, chosen to carry this message and to establish it among the gentiles. With each church that he planted, his hope was that it would continue and prosper insofar as it would adhere to the truth of Scripture.

To him, prospering did not mean wealth, fancy presentations, or big events scheduled to impress the masses. Instead, it meant holding fast to the word and then radiating that word out to others, carrying on the gospel which he had presented to them. If they were to follow this path, he could then feel confident “that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

His metaphor here is one he uses elsewhere. He was as if a runner in a marathon, striving with all of his might to reach the finish line. If those he shared the gospel with held fast to it, not introducing heresies such as the false teachings of the Judaizers, he would feel that he had run his race well. As his message is still being faithfully carried out by many churches today, he can rejoice in that. As his message has been shunned and rejected by many churches today, he can feel disheartened by that.

In the end, Paul’s words are the words of the Lord, having come to us under divine inspiration. Therefore, we are to hold fast to them as the precious word of life that is so desperately needed in this darkened world.

Life application: Church is a serious business. It should not be treated like a social club or a place where “good works” replace sound doctrine. Instead, church is to be a place where the word is examined and explained. If this is not the case, then the church is a failed church.

Heavenly Father, You have presented us with a challenge in Your word. It is to hold fast to the word of life. We have all kinds of churches in the world, but not all of them are pleasing to You. A church cannot be considered a success if it is merely a place where people socialize. A church cannot be considered a success just because it has large numbers or great wealth. Nor can a church be considered a success if it does good works which replace sound adherence to Your word. Only a church which proclaims Your word, and which holds fast to that word, can be considered a success. Help us to put You and Your word first in our church lives. Amen.