17th July 2023
All things through Christ
This study is the twelfth in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament
(Philippians – read in 9 minutes)
…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…
Philippians 3:13 (NKJV)
Paul had lived under the law – as perfectly as anyone – and he then lived under grace. He knew the difference, and this letter to the Philippians explores that difference. He describes his former self as a zealous Pharisee: ‘blameless’ before the law, ‘circumcised the eighth day’, something he refers to as ‘mutilation’. He had confidence in ‘the flesh’, in his ‘own righteousness, which is in the law’ (Philippians 3:2-6). As a Pharisee he would have embraced the monotheism which made it difficult for the first century Jews to accept Christ as being God.
He emphasises this understanding in Philippians 2:5-11, a passage acknowledged as a Christian hymn and quoted here in the text of his letter. The language he chooses to describe Jesus Christ is drawn from Isaiah 45:23 and has been applied to the God of the Old Testament – the only God. However, Paul is here elevating Christ to the same position by saying, ‘…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…’ (Philippians 2:10).
Only one of these two positions – living under the law, or living under grace – includes the promise of a resurrection, made possible by complete forgiveness, justification, and sanctification through saving grace, supplanting the false pursuit of ‘righteousness’ which places ‘confidence in the flesh’. Having lived under both dispensations Paul could declare that he forgets ‘those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward… the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 3:13-14).
The focus of the hymn in Philippians 2, is verse 8 where Paul explores the identity of Jesus: the event prior to the crucifixion where he was ‘found in appearance as a man’ and everything that followed as a consequence – that everyone confesses that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ (vv.9-11).
Philippians 2:12 begins with ‘Therefore’ – because of what has been stated before, there are things to do. As Jesus worked as a servant, as Paul was working as a servant, so should those called in Christ (Philippians 3:17). Paul recognises that the people lived in ‘a crooked and perverse generation’ and the task will invite persecution. So it is a little strange that Paul takes so much time to encourage joy and rejoicing in the lives of those in Philippi. There was little time for joy when fulfilling the works of the law; the rituals were time-consuming and had to be endlessly repeated. And Paul is writing about the need for joy from prison where he suggests, through the imagery of being ‘poured out as a drink offering’, that he may die for his gospel-preaching work.
‘Finally’ (Philippians 4:8) introduces Paul’s parting advice – how to ‘stand fast’. He counsels to guard thoughts – focusing on what is just, pure, lovely, of good report, praiseworthy – and to heed his teaching. (vv.8-9).
Philippians is a warm supportive, affectionate letter to a congregation which had faithfully supported him. It lacks the critical elements of other epistles. Paul mentions their support at the beginning and the end of the letter, describing their ‘fellowship in the gospel’ and in Philippians 4:15 that they were the only congregation that ‘shared with me concerning giving and receiving’.
Prayer
Father in heaven, as we are able to support the preaching of the gospel, so guide us to do so with rejoicing, even when there seems little reason to rejoice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by Maggie Mitchell
About the writer:
aggie Mitchell attends the Northampton congregation of Grace Communion International and is Chair of the Pastoral Council
Local congregation:
GCI Northampton
Ecton Village Hall
78A High Street
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QB
Local congregational contact:
Maggie Mitchell
Email: maggie.mitchell@btinternet.com
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church