As Paul the apostle
continued his wonderful words of greeting to the church in Philippi,
he expressed how joyfully he prayed for them because of their
fellowship with one another and the Lord. He knew the same Lord Jesus
who began a good work in them would be faithful to accomplish it, and
in chapter one and verse seven of Philippians we see more of the
reasons Paul was so blessed by this church. We read:
Even as it is meet for
me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch
as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the
gospel, you all are partakers of my grace
The
verse begins, “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you
all, because I have you in my heart;”
Paul
employed the phrase “Even as it is meet” which
means “upright, righteous, virtuous, proper, or keeping the
commands of God”. Paul knew the Lord would continue His work in
them because he had evidence of them in his heart.
The verse goes on to say, “inasmuch
as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the
gospel,” As proof that Paul
had the Philippians in his heart, he put forth two reasons: First,
“both in my bonds” which
again is a reference to being in prison, and secondly “in
the defense and confirmation of the gospel”. Paul
was in prison because he shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, and part
of the area in which he shared the gospel was in Philippi. Paul made
a “defense” of the
gospel which is the Greek word “apologia” from which we derive
our English word “apologetics” and means “verbal
defense, speech in defense, or a reasoned statement or argument”.
Paul also used the word “confirmation” which means “that
which produces confidence” as he expressed the gospel with whomever
he shared. The Philippian church was one of the groups who clung to
and believed his persuasive words.
Finally
the verse says, “ you all are partakers of my grace”.
Paul knew the status of the
people within the church of Philippi. They were “all”
“partakers” which means
“participants with others in anything, or joint partners”
“of my grace” or with the grace that was not only extended
to Paul but also to all who will believe in Jesus Christ. The reason
Paul recognized the great and willing work within the people within
the church at Philippi is because they believed the gospel and became
“joint partners” with Paul in it.
As we think over these words
of Paul, perhaps it would benefit us to reflect and ask whether we
know anyone whom we would say we know the Lord will complete His work
in them because we have them in our hearts? Have we shared the gospel
apologetically and in a confirming way so that others have come to be
“joint partners” with us in the faith? Maybe we are part of the
group of another who shared the gospel with us, and we are blessed to
be within their hearts. Whichever the case, let us allow the Holy
Spirit of God to convict and convince us to be about the business of
sharing the wonderful grace of God that is extended through a
relationship with Jesus Christ His Son, and so may the Lord help us
all to be “partakers of His grace”.
Next
time we will see how much Paul longs for the church in Philippi, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on
the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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