June
June 1
Chapter 2, Verse 17, con’t, “Even as I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
θυσίᾳ, thysia, “sacrifice” is an often misunderstood and/or misused word. Nowadays, people often use sacrifice to describe something they give up that they did not need to begin with. Old Testament sacrifice was giving up something to cover/atone for sin. It was a preview and substitute for the sacrifice Jesus made when he gave himself to cover and pay for the sin of humanity. That is what true sacrifice represents, giving up something precious to benefit someone else. I’m not sure I have ever done that. I have tithed, given and offering, and given even more of my time and resources to benefit others, but it never really hurt. It never strained me. I never did without. Unless I experience the above, like Paul and the Philippians did, it’s not really sacrifice, it’s just inconvenience.
June 2
Chapter 2, Verse 17, con’t, “Even as I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
πίστεως, pisteōs, “faith,” in one of four forms, is used over 240 times in the New Testament. From πίστις, pistis, which means persuasion, or persuaded, it means to be persuaded to trust, hence faith. Biblical faith is always a gift from God and can never be conjured by the mind of people. So faith, for the believer, is God’s divine persuasion and is distinct from human belief, or confidence, although it is intrinsically tied to it. So faith is absolutely God’s work alone in the lives of people to produce lasting trust that cannot be taken away. People of real faith, like those to whom Paul was writing, will endure anything and do what ever is necessary to advance the cause of Christ in the world.
June 3
Chapter 2, Verse 17, con’t, “Even as I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
Paul uses two words to describe his state of mind here. The first is χαίρω, chairō, “I am glad.” I like to call it persistent confidence. Chairo comes from two root forms: χαρ, char, meaning favorably disposed and χάρις, charis, grace, which is properly to delight in God’s grace. The word is also akin to χαρα, chara, joy. So what was Paul trying to communicate? Happy would be too weak. I believe Paul was describing his actual pleasure about being able to communicate with his friends in spite of his personal predicament. And, I believe he was very satisfied in his spirit and thankful that God had placed him where he was so that he could write these letters to churches and friends whom he loved.
June 4
Chapter 2, Verse 17, con’t, “Even as I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
The second word in this phrase is much like the first, συνχαίρω, synchairō, “rejoice with,” or even congratulate, is about sharing the victories of God’s grace with someone else so that both rejoice together. So, he could have said I am glad and glad with you all or I rejoice and rejoice with you all. Either way, Paul was eager to announce his pleasure about how God was working out his grace in their lives. I believe it is important to recognize when God is “showing out” in someone’s life and then to “brag” about God in the result. We can never exult God too much in a public setting where there is so much bad press working in the shadows to blind people to God’s goodness.
June 5
Chapter 2, Verse 17, con’t, “Even as I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
Paul uses the word “rejoice” 13 times in his letters. He tells us to rejoice when we are happy and rejoice when we are sad. He says to always rejoice in the Lord, in sorrow, when we have plenty and when we have little, when we suffer and when we hear Christ preached. συνχαίρετέ, synchairete, usually means sharing God’s grace with anther person, so that both enjoy and participate in God’s favor (grace) together. It is much more than just a good feeling we express. God does something that catches our attention. It is the realization that God’s grace is working in us and for us regardless and sometimes in spite of our circumstances. It is a gladness of heart that defies explanation.
June 6
Chapter 2, Verse 18, “Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”
The same two words are used here as in verse 17. Paul is emphasizing the challenge to the Philippians to do the same as him as they face life with the same sort of issues, albeit not from jail. For me, as free as I am to move about and enjoy life, my day can sometimes feel more than a little restricted. And I wonder, why? Then, I realize that my freedom in Christ is not the same as my so-called freedom where I live. The laws and rules put in place by government, supposedly for my protection, are there because law breakers are everywhere. Thank God their overreach cannot hinder my joy in Christ.
June 7
Chapter 2, Verse 19, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”
Ἐλπίζω, Elpizō, “I hope” is, or should be, a significant idea or, maybe it should be said, state of mind. This is especially true in the life of every believer. Biblical hope is actively waiting for God’s fulfillment about the faith he has placed in our lives by the power of his love through his grace. Hope that is not full of expectation is not hope at all. Hope must be assertive with a real sense of expectation. Paul didn’t “know for sure” that he would be able to send Timothy to visit his friends, but he knew God was working in his life, he had seen God’s grace among people, he knew God wanted to bless his work. How could be not expect God to act on this. I need to live with this kind of hope everyday, thanking God for what is yet to be.
June 8
Chapter 2, Verse 19, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”
Where was Paul’s hope? ἐν Κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ, en Kyriō Iēsou, “in Christ Jesus,” of course. Lots of people, probably most, hover somewhere just outside the real sphere of Jesus’ influence. Some ignore him completely. Its the “hoverers” that cause me the greatest concern. The know “about ” him, probably even celebrate him now and again, but he has made no significant change in their lives. The preposition ἐν, in, properly means inside or within; figuratively, “in the realm or sphere of,” in the sense of the condition in which something operates from the inside. In Jesus means, first of all, that Jesus is in me, by faith, through the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. Then it means that Jesus overshadows and affects every part of my life–decisions, relationships, behavior, and all the rest–for his glory.
June 9
Chapter 2, Verse 19, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”
Timothy was Paul’s “true son in the faith,” (1 Timothy 1:2). He was likely a teenager when he met and began being mentored by Paul. His dad was a Greek and his mother was a Jew who converted to Christianity. Paul talked about his “genuine faith” that was like the faith of his mom and grandmother, (2 Timothy 1:1-5). So, what does this tell us in today’s mixed up culture? First, there is real value in teaching our kids about God from both the Old Testament and New Testament beginning at an early age. The sooner they are impacted with the truth, the sooner they will be able to ward off the lies of the world. Second, coming from a “mixed” background, regardless of its nature, doesn’t have to be a big deal. And third, women are essential in the church. They are most often the real incubators of true faith in the lives of young people.
June 10
Chapter 2, Verse 19, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”
πέμψαι, pempsai, to send; when Paul wrote about his intent to send Timothy to Philippi, he did so with intent. And so it is anytime we send someone to do something. We are seeking results. In this case, Paul was seeking encouragement from the news he would receive when Timothy reported back to him. When Jesus appeared to the disciples after the resurrection, he first granted peace to them on the heels of the awful crucifixion event and then he said, “as the father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Again, purpose seeking results, but not by their power. Rather, by the Holy Spirit’s power, Jesus sent them to spread the gospel so that people might be saved. We are sent, too. The question is: are we going?
June 11
Chapter 2, Verse 19, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”
ταχέως, tacheōs, “soon,” is another seemingly insignificant word wasy to pass over. The meaning is obvious: quickly, hastily, promptly as defined by circumstances. When we tell someone we intend to do something soon, we should be thinking right now. Otherwise, we will probably put it off and eventually or soon, forget about it. When we tell someone, “I’ll be praying for you,” do we mean soon or not at all. More importantly, when God puts something on our heart that requires action, do we move immediately, or do we put off thinking we will get to it soon? Soon can be dangerous, especially if you are forgetful. Whatever you are going to do. . .do it now.
June 12
Chapter 2, Verse 19, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.“
εὐψυχῶ, eupsychō, “may be encouraged,” Paul was a master at doing two things with words: pointing out humanity’s dire need for salvation because of sin and encouraging people how to have joy and rejoice regardless of their circumstances Here, he wanted to hear about “things concerning” the believers in Philippi. Even the bold teacher needed to be encouraged. The hard days of separation and confinement would have certainly taken a toll on him as he wrote and dreamed about begin back among the people. I’m certain his greatest desire was to be among people with whom he could share the gospel and thus expand the kingdom.
June 13
Chapter 2, Verse 20, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.”
In regard to his young friend and co-worker Timothy, Paul said, I have no one ἰσόψυχον, isopsychon, “like minded.” He was talking about operating from the same motivation. He called Timothy his “true child in the faith,” (1 Timothy 1:2) and urged him toward “holding faith and a good conscience,” (1 Timothy 1:19). Without apology, Paul was reproducing himself in his protege’. If we are Christians and truly believe we hold the truth of God in our hearts, we should be doing exactly the same thing. With our kids, grand kids, and new converts to the faith regardless of age, we should make every effort to train them in truly biblical theology to prepare them to face the world for Christ.
June 14
Chapter 2, Verse 20, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.”
γνησίως, gnēsiōs, “genuinely,” speaks to honor and sincerity. The thing that impresses me here is that this is a young man, likely not far from being a teenager, who has “manned up” concerning the needs of others. When I look around today, I see mostly self-absorbed people in their 20’s and 30’s, some even in their 40’s and later, who don’t care about anyone but themselves—looking good and having a good time. My point, when you come across a teenager or young adult with a caring heart, help them maximize their desire to help others. Helping those in need opens many doors to share your faith and expand the kingdom.
June 15
Chapter 2, Verse 20, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.“
Only the Berean Literal Bible has translated this phrase correctly, “who will genuinely care for the things relative to you.” Does this impugn the intent of the other translations? Not all all. What is welfare, after all? It is what is caught up in another word in the phrase, μεριμνήσει, merimnēsei, “will care for.” Concern for the needs (welfare) of others grows out of caring. You cannot be selfish/self-centered and care about others, at least not consistently. To care, our sense must be on full alert. We need to see what is going on in someone’s life, listen for clues to need, and cautiously act from our heart to help and not embarrass someone we want to help. It is all part of love one another.
June 16
Chapter 2, Verse 21, “For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
This is an interesting verse because Paul just wrote in verse 19 that he hoped to get good news about the people from Timothy after he returned from a visit. Then he turned right around and said all of them were self seeking. What’s going on here? I surmise that Paul was speaking about all the people affiliated with the church at Philippi who did not have a genuine faith, and maybe even some of the truly redeemed who were young in their faith or just had not matured as they should. Whichever it was, Paul was making it crystal clear that there is no place in Christ’s church for self-involved, uncaring people who do not care about advancing the gospel. The need to be saved!
June 17
Chapter 2, Verse 21, “For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
I’ve often wondered what interests of Jesus Paul was referring to. There could be so many. In the immediate context of Philippians, a few ideas stand out. The most obvious is the gospel. I know the Lord wants us to get the word out to a lost world. Then there is the fruit of righteousness or, the result of begin made righteous by faith in Jesus. Since the fruit is not my own but given to me through the Spirit (Philippians 3:19), I would say the fruit mentioned here are the actions/behaviors/mindset of the true believers mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Paul added, “against such thing there is no law.” Those are things that interest Jesus.
June 18
Chapter 2, Verse 22, “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”
δοκιμὴν αὐτοῦ γινώσκετε, dokimēn autou ginōskete, “the proven worth of him you know;” the idea of knowing about Timothy indicates that the Philippians had come to know by hearing about and personally witnessing his conduct and service to Christ’s church. The proven worth aspect means that they had personally observed his trials and afflictions as he served and thus were fully aware that he was a young man of good character and growing faith. So, like all good Christians should, especially up and coming young ones, he had proven to be trustworthy. That is why Paul promoted him and sent him to them.
June 19
Chapter 2, Verse 22, “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”
While the word order is reversed in Greek and reads “as a father with a child,” no technical explanation is necessary here. This is all about family and how it is supposed to function; something that is missing in a large part of American culture today. Dad’s are supposed to be with their sons, they are supposed to teach their sons–physically, spiritually, socially, plus give them a good, honest work ethic, and they are to lead their sons so that sons learn how to follow and then be a good leader themselves. Following the leader, Jesus Christ, is the only way to overcome the vile and disastrous ways of the world and its compete lack of morals. That is what makes a boy a real man.
June 20
Chapter 2, Verse 22, “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”
This is a beautiful word picture of what true service is all about. ἐδούλευσεν, edouleusen, “he has served,” come from δουλεύω, douleuó, “to be a slave,” or “to serve another.” In the context of being a slave, it meant having all personal ownership and rights assigned to the owner. In terms of serving, as in the present usage/context, it means to yield obedience to someone, to learn from them, and to advance their cause voluntarily. This is how Timothy served Paul. It was not in any way a blind obedience. He was intelligent, educated, and well informed. He followed Paul because he loved him, he loved God, and he knew there was no greater life task than preaching the gospel.
June 21
Chapter 2, Verse 23, “I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go for me.”
In the original language, Paul’s concern was about what would be happening to him immediately. While we do not know exactly what he was talking about, two things are very clear. First, Paul was keenly aware of his current situation and concerned. While he was not a fearful person because of his great trust in God, his practical side steered his daily decisions. The other thing is, he remained hopeful. Paul, it seems, was an eternal optimist. And why not? He had observed God getting him out of some pretty terrible situations. And one thing is for sure, His mind remained set on a visit from Timothy to his friends and he expected to hear great things as God continued to work in them.
June 22
Chapter 2, Verse 24, “and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.”
In verse 23, Paul wrote that he “hoped,” ἐλπίζω, elpizō, to send Timothy; here, he wrote, “I trust.” πέποιθα, pepoitha, is actually “I am persuaded.” There is not much difference between the two ideas; the first being about hope and the second about expectation. Looking at both together, it is clear Paul expected to be freed and continue his work. Sometime in 63 AD, he was released and wrote several books as he traveled before he was martyred in 67 AD. It is likely he did return to Philippi during this time. The point: hope and trust are necessary to have vision of the future, but at some point you have to put your feet in action to see the vision become reality.
June 23
Chapter 2, Verse 25, “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.”
Epaphroditus was most certainly a special trophy of God’s grace. He was from Colossae. His name means devoted to or belonging to Aphrodite. So, it is very likely he was raised in a household of pagan worshippers who did not have any regard for the true and living God. He was sent to Paul by the Philippians with a “care package” and stayed to become of of Paul’s closest friends. Some believe the Epaphra in Colossians 1:7 is the same man. Whoever he is, one thing is for sure, he loved Jesus and his church and had a life devoted to service.
June 24
Chapter 2, Verse 25, “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.”
Paul thought very highly of this guy. He called him ἀδελφὸν, adelphon, “brother;” that generally meant a fellow believer to whom one would be united with a strong bond of affection and considered part of a single family. He also called him συνεργὸν, synergon, “fellow worker,” which pointed to being alongside in task, sharing some authority and also being a helper. And, he called him συστρατιώτην, systratiōtēn, “fellow soldier,” which clearly meant they fought the good fight of faith side by side. My take away–Paul was grateful to have some like Epaphroditus to do life with; like-minded and determined to accomplish the cause of Christ. I am thankful for those men in my life
June 25
Chapter 2, Verse 25, “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.”
Epaphroditus was a bold servant for the cause of Christ and he was much more. He was a caring man. Paul called him ἀπόστολον, apostolov, “messenger.” This is the same term used to describe the 12 apostles sent forth by Christ. Like Them, Epaphroditus knew his assignment and carried it out dutifully as he served Paul and carried news in both directions. Paul also called him λειτουργὸν, leitourgon, “minister.” In civil circles, a term used to describe a public servant who worked at his own expense, here it is used to describe a person who, also at his own expense, traveled and supplied the personal needs of another; i.e., Paul. Friends like that are hard to find and should always be cherished and applauded for their dedication.
June 26
Chapter 2, Verse 26, “for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.”
ἐπιποθῶν, epipothōn, “longing after,” describes a man who missed his church family greatly. I understand that on a number of levels. I miss my wife after a few hours if she’s gone for an event. I miss my son and his family when I don’t get to see them weekly. It was bad when they lived far away. I miss my church when I need to be away, even for vacation. There is one group I miss that I may never get to see in person again. They are the people of Canete in Peru. I see them on line and send messages, but that doesn’t fill the void of standing should to shoulder and sharing the gospel in their communities. I imagine that is how he felt.
June 27
Chapter 2, Verse 26, con’t, “for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.”
ἀδημονῶν, adēmonōn, “been deeply distressed,” is easy to understand, even looking backward in time. The same word is used to describe Jesus when he was in the garden of Gethsemane before his betrayal and arrest. Even though Jesus was more keenly aware of the circumstances than was Epaphroditus, the result was the same. In their spirit, they were bothered, hurting, grieved, saddened, even mortified by what was going on around them. I have almost never been distressed to that degree-except for when a doctor has entered the room to tell me I had cancer. And even though I was highly distressed, I remained confident that God was/is in control and would guide my way through it.
June 28
Chapter 2, Verse 27, “Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.”
I thank God for his mercy, particularly because he gave it to me long before I knew what is was/is. ἠλέησεν, ēleēsen, “had mercy on,” is exactly what I mean. With various shade of meaning, here I believe it means to spare, as in blessing with unmerited favor. The first time I had cancer as a teenager, I knew little about God, yet he spared me. The last time I had cancer, I knew God well, and he spared me. As far as I can tell, God’s mercy knows no bounds and is given as he sees fit. It does not alway seem fair, but God is God and can do as he pleases. I trust him still.
June 29
Chapter 2, Verse 28, “I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.”
Paul was a little antsy, eager, because he didn’t know the future. He wanted to share Epaphroditus’ good fortune of recovery and never his own plight and he wanted to do it as soon as possible because he was anxious. This from the same guy who would say in chapter four–do not be anxious about anything. Contradiction? Hypocrite? Neither! Here we simply have a man expressing his concern and baring his humanity. He was a great man, a true servant of God, and effective leader. But was still a man with all the frailties of every other person–we all need God’s mercy and his grace to overcome and face our short comings.
June 30
Chapter 2, Verses 29 & 30, “So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such man, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”
Paul admonished his friends in the Philippian church to love this guy and give him and others like him, honor. ἐντίμους ἔχετε, entimous echete, “hold in honor,” means to consider someone prized and, hence, precious because of what God has done in their life. I have done that at different times in my life when I recognized someone’s exceptional giftedness from God. But it makes me wonder if I should esteem every believer this way. And why not? We all are valuable in God’s sight and service whether we realize it or not.
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