A COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS  

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Chapter One

 

“To Live Is Christ and To Die Is Gain”

 

Paul wrote the book of Philippians during his imprisonment in Rome. During such trials and hardships individuals respond in different ways. Some become depressed and despondent with their circumstances. Others become angry and bitter. Still others will seek immoral or dishonest means to escape from their situation. But there are those few individuals who will rise to the occasion and live a life of courage and character. These people will remain steadfast in their commitment to moral standards. They will not let their hardship alter their dedication to God nor degrade their godly integrity. Paul was such a man.

 

Paul always saw circumstances as an opportunity to live as a Christian, to be a witness for Jesus and to glorify his Heavenly Father in some way. There are numerous passages in Philippians which allow you to see Paul’s commitment to God and how he lived out his faith. You see his godly dedication not only in his response to trials, but also in the words he shares with those who were to receive his letters. Today we benefit from these letters for they were canonized and recognized as God-inspired teachings we know as part of the New Testament books of the Bible. Let’s begin our journey through the book of Philippians and see what we can learn about Paul, but more importantly; what God wished to communicate to first century Christians as well as us today to enable us to live a strong victorious Christian life.

 

Philippians 1:1-2

“1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

Here we see in the first few verses of chapter one of Philippians Paul’s gracious opening to his letter to the Philippians. We also observe that even in his greeting, he is teaching truths that God has laid upon his heart. We see he describes himself and his protégé Timothy as “bond-servants of Jesus Christ.” A “bond-servant” was a slave or servant who had been freed from their master, but willingly remained with their master of their own free will. Also implied in this designation of a “bond-servant was the fact that they were willing to serve for the rest of their life in this capacity. The truth all of us as Disciples of Christ can gain from this opening verse is that you and I are also “bond-servants” of Christ Jesus. We were slaves to sin and Christ Jesus set us free from sin and the penalty of death when we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. We too are also bond-servants and belong to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom we serve all of our life and will continue to do so in Heaven. While we are free to do as we wish, if we are fully committed to Christ we will live like He did.

                                                                           

In Paul’s opening words we see that Paul identifies those he is writing this letter to in Philippi. He calls them “saints.” A saint is a person who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They are acknowledged as holy and virtuous in the eye of God their spiritual Father because Christ died for their sins. They have dedicated their life to Christ and their walk in life is based on the teachings of Christ Jesus and the Holy Scriptures. The reward for saints of the Lord Jesus Christ is not only eternal life in Heaven; they are also blessed with an abundant spiritual life while living out their lives on this earth.

 

Paul continues to demonstrate his love for Philippian Christians in verse two by bestowing upon them “grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was both an Apostle chosen by God and a servant of Jesus Christ. It was only natural for him to greet other Followers of Christ in the same manner as Christ Jesus would; with the grace and peace that we all receive when we walk in the light of God’s Word.

 

Philippians 1:3-6

“3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

In verse 3 Paul shares how thankful he is of all the memories he has of the faithful Christians living in Philippi. We should have the same thankfulness as we remember each of our Christian friends and how they have impacted our lives with love and grace over the years. Why don’t you take a few moments right now and think back about all the Christians who have impacted your life in Christ. Who was instrumental in bringing you to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Who discipled you in your faith over the past years? What Christian friends helped you when you were troubled by events in your life? Who discipled you with wisdom and spiritual advice when you needed help? Why not pray a prayer of thanks to your Heavenly father for how these fellow saints ministered to you.

 

In verse 4 and 5 Paul shares how he continually offers prayer for his fellow Christians and does it with joy because of who they are and how they dedicate themselves to living for Christ and participate in sharing the Gospel of Christ with others. Participating in the Gospel can take many forms. It can simply be leading a holy life, loving others, serving those in need, studying the Holy Scriptures and praying on a regular basis as you develop your spiritual gifts that God has given you. It can also involve stepping out in more significant ways by leading others to Christ, discipling another Believer, leading Bible studies or possibly serving in some leadership role in a local Church.

 

Paul in verse six shares his great confidence in how the “good work” that Christ began in them will continue all through their lives until it reaches perfection on the day of Christ Jesus, which is when Christ Jesus returns to claim His dedicated followers. Good works are the thoughts, actions and deeds we express in our lives as Disciples of Christ while we live out our lives on this earth. These works are not done in the flesh, but are manifestations of the new life we live in the Spirit. This new life was made available for us when Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the grave victorious over death. When we responded to the Spirit’s promptings for us to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we dedicated our lives to Christ and committed ourselves to live for Him the rest of our lives.

 

Paul continues in verses 7 through 11with his praise and encouragement to the Disciples of Christ in Philippi.

 

7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

 

Paul had deep emotional ties to those he discipled and served in the ministry. As verse 7 states, his disciples and fellow saints were always in his heart. God’s Grace bonds Christians in their relationships with each other as well as with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The presence of the Holy Spirit in all Disciples of Christ who have given their lives to God enables them to bond together dramatically in numerous ways.

 

Paul also shares in verse 7 that it is only right for him to cherish the memories of their fellowship with him as they all served in the proclamation of the Gospel. He also took great interest in their spiritual growth and as they prayed for him and as he also prayed for them as well. He opens his heart further in verse 8 stating how he longed for them with the “affection of Christ Jesus.” Such affection is deep and ever-lasting. It is a love that is godly, pure, deep and holy. This love is an eternal love for it will last not only here on earth, but also for eternity in Heaven.

 

Verse 9 and 10 continues with Paul sharing the content of his prayers for them. He prays their love will grow and abound mightily “more and more” in “real” knowledge which is the knowledge of the holiness of God and in His eternal Truth. Such growth in knowledge of the holiness of God will produce real godly wisdom which will also give birth to godly discernment in how they will think and live as well as how they will love others both in the church fellowship as well as those in the world. This development of godly knowledge, wisdom and discernment will produce in them excellence in their thoughts and behavior and they will be found to be blameless on the “Day of Christ.” The “Day of Christ” is the time in the future when Christ will return to gather His church and take them to Heaven. While these New Testament Christians would not live to see this “Day of Christ;” at the time of their death, their spirits would be translated or taken up to Heaven’s glory. Today this portion of scripture applies to us who live on the earth here in the present. We are waiting for the “Day of Christ” just as the Philippian Christians once did. It is possible that we may live to see the “Day of Christ.” But if not, when we die we also will be translated to Heaven as well to await being reunited with our fellow Disciples of Christ.

 

In verse 11 Paul continues with his spiritual description of these fellow Disciples of Christ in Philippi. He states that they have been filled with the fruit of righteousness and this spiritual fruit comes through Jesus Christ their Savior and Lord. This spiritual fruit brings glory and praise to God as the Holy Spirit who lives in each Disciple of Christ enables them to live godly, spirit-filled lives that bring glory and praise to God.

 

Paul continues his letter to the Philippian Believers. Read Philippians 1:12-14 and see if you can hear the godly mindset that puts God’s will over Paul’s circumstance and suffering.

 

Philippians 1:12-14

“12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

 

Paul understood that his Heavenly Father will use any situation to advance God’s plans for His Kingdom. It is likely that such a key leader as Paul being imprisoned caused Christians in numerous churches to pull together to pray for Him. His example of strength in the midst of persecution gave a great godly example of how to endure such tribulations. People probably were heard to say to one another, “If Paul can remain steadfast in his faith in his imprisonment, I can remain steadfast in my faith in my everyday living.”

 

There is also something about a close friend facing suffering that will encourage people to band together to achieve and accomplish goals like nothing else can. Proper responses to adversity in one person’s life have a way of stimulating others to reach out and encourage one another to live with spiritual strength, courage and integrity. This is often prompted by the Holy Spirit manifesting Himself in Followers of Christ to impel them to live for God in a manner like Christ.

 

Another thought is that Paul’s response to his storm of life verified the truthfulness of the gospel. Men will endure persecution and hardship for what they know to be true, but they will cave in and whimper off if they are either living a lie or have been deceiving people with their prideful spiritual talk. The gospel was advanced not only because of his spiritual teaching but also because of Paul’s endurance in the suffering and isolation he was experiencing. Paul knew that circumstances do not define us as followers of Christ; our faith and dedication to God do. This witness of Paul’s gave credence and validity to the veracity of the gospel.

 

Paul apparently was aware that many were attempting to fill his shoes of preaching the gospel and taking advantage of his imprisonment. He shares in verses 15-18:

 

Philippians 1:15-18

“15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,”

 

Here we see again, Paul’s self-sacrifice for the gospel. Apparently some were preaching the gospel out of envious motivations for they were rivals of Paul. These men were jealous of the attention and admiration that Paul had received for his dedication to the ministry. They now were taking this opportunity of his imprisonment to attempt to take his place in the hearts and minds of Christians everywhere. Paul knew that such men were ambitious and were not just preaching the gospel, but also very likely, spreading rumors about him. The intent was to besmirch his name and reputation in order to gain glory for themselves. But Paul is forgiving and generous in his attitude towards them, because he knows that no matter what they may say or infer about him, they are still preaching the gospel of Christ. In this process the good news of salvation was getting into the hearts and minds of people. Even though his character was trashed by such deceitful men, it did not matter to him as long as people were exposed to the gospel of Christ. Paul was a man who truly believed “to live is Christ” and he was willing to sacrifice all the honor and admiration people had for him as long as they had a chance to hear the gospel.

 

Paul also shares in this portion of scripture that there were other teachers who preached the gospel out of love, not only for God, but also for him and their fellow believers. He knew that this was a more commendable manner in which the gospel should be shared. His greatest concern was always that the gospel of Christ be preached and spread abroad.

 

Paul continues in his letter with verse 19-26. The passage states:

 

Philippians 1:19-26

“19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, 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 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”

 

In these verses we again see Paul’s dedication to God and his strong desire for the spread of the gospel. The outcome of his imprisonment could be freedom or death. But despite either result, he sees a benefit to God’s message of salvation in both.

 

Even in the midst of Paul’s persecution he was an encourager. In verse 19 he says, “…for 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.”

 

Paul establishes here how critically important it is for people to be dedicated to the holy habit of prayer. He ties prayer in with the help of the Holy Spirit as the power that will sustain him with thoughts of deliverance.

 

In verses 20 through 26 we see Paul’s perception of the possible options for deliverance and that God can work in either outcome. I wonder if you or I could seek to have such an optimistic attitude knowing that deliverance might be life, but could also lead to our death.

 

He is confident that he will not dishonor his witness for Christ and will have the courage to accept whatever result God wills. He can do this because he can see how God could work in either case. He has a “heavenly” outlook on these two possible outcomes and makes the statement, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He understands intimately that if his looses his life he will be immediately in the presence of God and this is a most glorious thought to him. He realizes that this is really the better choice, to experience the presence of Christ in a way he cannot in his earthly state. But he is also torn between this desire to be with the Lord and the desire to serve Christ by continuing ministering to his fellow believers. He knows of the love others have for him and of his love for them. He realizes that God can do great things through him if he were to live and be released from prison. So whether he lives or dies, God is the benefactor of glory in Paul’s life or death.

 

Finally Paul shares the following encouragement:

 

Philippians 1:27-30

“27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents — which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

 

Here we see another concern and priority of Paul’s, the living out of the gospel in the lives of people. It is not enough that the gospel is preached; it must also be received into the hearts of people and lived out in their lives. Paul wants to encourage the readers of this letter to live for Christ, no matter what happens to him.

 

 

He also wishes to hear that they remain bonded by unity in the Spirit where they are of “one spirit” and “one mind” as they strive together for the faith they live out and proclaim to others. He shares also that they will be brave and not be “alarmed” by opponents to the Gospel. He also understands that this bold faithful stand in their faith may bring suffering, but it will be suffering for the sake of Christ.

 

This is another purpose of his Christian example during persecution, that other believers will model his faith so that God is glorified. He loves the Christians in Philippi and is concerned for their spiritual health. The quality of one’s life as a Follower of Christ reflects not only how God is working in their life, but also the veracity with which they have truly dedicated their life to Christ and are living for Him.

 

Paul suggests that it is very possible that just as it has been proven that they were to believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior, that it may very well be likely that they may also suffer for their belief in Him as Paul is doing at the present time.

 

The Parachute Band sings a song called “To Live Is Christ” written by Kate Wray that is based on this scripture passage. It goes like this:

 

Hallelujah, I am not my own,

You are in control,

Hallelujah

For me to live is Christ,

And to die is gain,

No matter what price I pay

I choose to give this life away,

I make a vow,

My life will always honour Christ

Whether I live or die, I belong to Him,

He bore my sin,

I owe this life to my saving King

Only by the cross I am saved

 

May each of us realize we are not our own, we belong to our Heavenly Father. May you and I seek to model ourselves after Paul, but even more so after our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. May we all seek to say, “To live is Christ and to die gain.”