COMMENTARY ON PHILIPPIANS
LESSON #14

T E X T

“And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.” (Phil 1:25-26, NKJV)

INTRODUCTION

I continue to be impressed by the direction of spiritual thinking. Much contemporary Christian thought is bent toward the earth. It borrows its nomenclature from the condemned realm, and seems to process everything through the filter of the “wisdom from beneath.” But this is not the Apostle’s manner, nor is it the practice of any who are walking in the light and living by faith. Jesus Himself is the heart of spiritual thought. The “great salvation”found in Him is the environment in which profitable expressions are formed. If you were able to remove Christ and salvation from Paul’s thought processes, he would have nothing whatsoever to say to the churches. They, and they alone, were his constant frame of reference, as attested by this letter.

MORE NEEDFUL FOR YOU

“Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (KJV). Now Paul divulges why he had difficulty in choosing between staying and departing. It was not his own earthly advantage that made it difficult, but the consideration of the Philippians. The extent to which Paul partook of the Divine nature is revealed in this expression. His heart was in his Apostleship! He not only had affiliation with the people of God, they were in his heart. As he said earlier, “I have you in my heart” (1:7). This was not a sentimental feeling, but a profound spiritual experience. He did not merely seek to be with them, or to enjoy their company. The Lord had given him something they needed, and Paul wanted to give it to them. He knew what he had received. He also knew the relevancy of his gifts to the life of faith.

He does not say remaining was joyful, but “needful.” Without wavering, he associated his life with his Apostolic calling. He is saying that as long as he lived, he would fulfill his calling. He would minister, whether with a chain or without one. Prison would not interrupt his ministry, but would only expand it. He would continue to strengthen the faith of the saints.

The work we have been given to do must not be discontinued because of life’s circumstances. The people of God need the gifts that have been distributed and are administered by the Spirit of God. As is well stated, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” (1 Cor 12:7). Often, being “good stewards of the manifold grace of God”involves choosing life when there are no apparent personal advantages in it (1 Pet 4:10-11). This is what Scripture calls “preferring one another” (Rom 12:11). Also, Paul had a mind to finish the work given to him, even as Jesus completed the work given to Him.

There is something else to be seen here. The Philippians would gain an advantage by the continuing of Paul’s life. This cannot be said of everyone. Those who do not bring us advantages by their life will take nothing from us when they depart. Notice, Paul does not say his life would bring some happy moments to the Philippians. The extension of his life would not merely be nice. The saints would receive from him things NEEDED for faith-life .

The choice of expressions is significant: “far better” and “more needful.”The “more needful” was on the Philippians part. The “far better” was on Paul’s part. I cannot help but observe that it is better for some to stay in the world, for they are not yet ready to depart. A far better state, indeed, to be able to say “I am now ready” (2 Tim 4:6).

Paul was willing to stay for them! Oh, the blessedness of being so responsive to the Lord we are advantaged by the lingering life of holy people! In a day when “the aged” ministers of God (Philemon 9) are easily forgotten, we need to hear this word. Although he was old, infirmed, and in prison, Paul still brought advantages to the people of God. This sort of thinking is summarily rejected by the institutional church–but it reflects Christ’s manner of government. May God grant a restoration of this mind-set.

Suffice it to say, those who live for Christ can eagerly anticipate departing to be with Christ, while also eager to advantage the saints.

I KNOW I SHALL CONTINUE

“And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all . . . ” (KJV). Paul first preached the Gospel in Philippi around A.D. 53. Now, about nine years later (A.D. 62), he writes this epistle. Although presently encumbered with a chain, the Apostle is convinced he will continue for a season–how long, he does not know. History tells us Paul was martyred in A.D. 67-68. Thus he did, in fact, “abide and continue” for 5-6 years. His “confidence” was thus an expression of faith, and not a mere fleshly desire to live on. I do not understand this text to mean he received a special revelation concerning the duration of his imprisonment. Rather, it seems to have resulted from his close proximity to the Lord Jesus, and his willing involvement in God’s eternal purpose.

Some believe this passage indicates Paul confidence that he would be released from prison. While he may have anticipated this, I do not believe the language of the verse demands this conclusion. Abiding and continuing with the Philippians did not require a release from prison, nor do I believe the Apostle was prone to think in this manner.

There is a sense in which spirits are together, though separated by circumstance, and even time. Take, for example, Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians concerning the unfortunate presence of a fornicator in their midst. Even though he was not with them in the body, he was, in another sense, present with them. “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor 5:4-5, NKJV). Again, he wrote to the Colossians, “For though I am absent in the flesh, yetI am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ” (Col 2:5, NKJV).

Paul lived with an acute awareness of the spiritual company into which faith had brought him. This is a posture of life that can be occupied by every child of God. After all, we have come into a remarkable cosmic fellowship in Christ Jesus. As it is written, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel” (Heb 12:22-24). Paul’s continuance in the body was seen from this perspective–the fellowship into which salvation inducts us.

Abiding and continuing are perspectives of faith. They are not to be equated with mere existence. The abiding was in Christ as well as in the body, and in grace as well as in circumstance. Continuing involved remaining in the faith as well as in this world, and functioning as an Apostle as well as a protraction of earthly life. It is refreshing to consider living from this vantage point. It diminishes the tendency to be overcome with the difficulties of life. It also brings great glory to God, for it reflects His mind.

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FUTHERANCE AND JOY OF FAITH

“ . . . for your furtherance and joy of faith” (KJV). Paul did not live for himself! For him to live was “Christ” (1:21; Gal 2:20). If he was ever diverted by temptations to live only for himself, he never expressed it in his writings. Although such dreadful impulses, no doubt, came, they were subdued by the grace of God. In so doing, he maintained a “sound mind.”

The continuance of Paul’s life would result in the “furtherance” of the people of God. Other versions translate the word “progress.” The language portrays the life of faith as a journey from one place to another; from earth to glory. Spiritual life is, by its very nature, progressive. It is not static or motionless. According to God’s purpose, the Holy Spirit is changing us “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor 3:18, NRSV). This is nothing less than being “conformed to the image of His [God’s] Son” (Rom 8:29).

For some, the Christian life finds its apex in a well-ordered home, moral stability, or financial soundness. In their place, all of these are fine–but that is not what spiritual life is all about. Real development consists of making spiritual progress. It involves becoming more like the Lord Jesus Christ in thought, word, and deed. Where this does not occur, there has been no genuine “furtherance,” or progress. The Scriptures, particularly the Apostolic writings, offer no commendation to those who have a handle on their marriage, children, or home. It is not that such things are despised. They are simply not at the heart of spiritual thought.

It is most refreshing to ponder the impact of one godly life upon another. You must ask yourself what advantage your continuance in this life is bringing to the people of God. Rest assured, your influence can be significant.

Now Paul uses an expression that expands our thinking: “joy of faith,”or “joy in the faith.” Joy and faith have been wed in Christ Jesus! To the Corinthians Paul wrote, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand” (2 Cor 1:24). The clear implication is that faith is assisted greatly by spiritual joy. Little wonder Nehemiah said, “the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh 8:10).

The “joy of faith” is the joy that relies upon and nourishes faith. It is nothing less than “joy in God” (Rom 5:11), “joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17), “joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab 3:18). Such joy is produced when we see God as our “Savior” Lk 1:47), and His salvation is perceived as belonging to us (Eph 1:13).

Valid Kingdom ministries contribute to spiritual progress and a joy that relates to faith. Where these two affects are not produced, there has been no acceptable ministry for Christ Jesus. The alarming thing about this consideration is the overwhelming lack of these evidences in the Christian community. This is a circumstance that calls for both prayer and labor. The body of Christ stands in need of laborers whose presence aids growth in Christ Jesus. Further, there is no real need for any professed minister who does not contribute to our conformity to Christ’s image, or who does not increase our joy in the Lord. On the other hand, as long as the world stands, there will be a need for those who bring advantages in these vital areas.

MORE NEEDFUL FOR YOU

Suffice it to say, those who live for Christ can eagerly anticipate departing to be with Christ, while also eager to advantage the saints.