Philippians: Part 1 (thoughts on portions of chapter 1)

1.1 Even though the whole letter of Philippians is written in the first person singular, Paul begins his letter identifying its authors as Timothy and himself. One thing true about Paul is that he never was a lone ranger. He always was part of a team and his embracing Timothy as his own protege (or son, one could say) is evident in his inclusion of Timothy's name in the salutation here.

1.3 a. "Grace" (from 1.2), in its Greek form (charis) is related to the word for "thanksgiving" (eucharisto). I had never put this together until a commentary pointed it out. The commentator (Craddock) put their relation this way: "Giving and receiving are really so much alike, one word can define both." This reminded me of the eternal dance among the 3 persons of the Godhead who are ever giving and receiving love to one another. We are invited into this life, too!!!

1.3 b. "remembrance"--Craddock: "To be a believer is to a large extent an act of memory." Remembrance is more than a cognitive function, but is a call to action and is our participation in events of the past. Think of the importance of remembrance in Judaism (Abraham and the patriarchs, the Exodus, the Temple, etc.) and its importance for us today to in our celebration of the Eucharist (among many other things). Early Christians had another phrase for when someone was lost; it was "having amnesia."

1.5 "partnership" This is the word chosen to translate "koinonia," often translated fellowship. Is there a trend in churches today to soften the meaning of "fellowship"? Does it mean no work? No serious business? No worship? If so, how can we strengthen it? Partnership is a good word choice here because it brings out the Philippians sharing in common with Paul the following: money, suffering, work, and grace.

1.6 C.S. Lewis put the notion of salvation coming to completion this way (coming from Christ) in Mere Christianity: "Make no mistake," He says, "if you let me I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to seee this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect--until My Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with Me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less."

1.8 Paul's love for the Philippians (like Christ's love for all) is an initiating love, not contingent upon the initiation or reaction of the recipient.

1.12-26 a. Paul writes on the welfare of the gospel before addressing his personal welfare. Craddock: "Paul is in bonds but the gospel is not and at every opportunity he concerns himself with the defense and vindication of the gospel, not of Paul. We are not surprised, then, that when the church inquires anxiously after Paul's welfare he responds first by telling them how it is with the gospel."

1.12-26 b. Craddock on suffering: "Only by the Holy Spirit can the church experience the miraculous shift of attitude from assuming that wherever the Lord is there is no suffering to believing that wherever there is suffering there the Lord is."

1.15-18 About those spreading the gospel out of "rivalry," et al.: the issue Paul takes is with their motive, not their message, for the gospel is still being preached. Paul is more severe when the gospel is being compromised (as in Galatia, etc.). Craddock: "The power of the gospel is not contingent upon the motives or feelings of the one preaching." Earlier he spoke about gospel-spreaders with false motives: "In a culture which demands that we think in terms of winners and losers, even a God who desires that all win is served by persons who think heaven will be sweeter because there is a hell."

1.19-26 It sounds as if Paul is the person in charge of deciding his own fate, not the courts who are trying him. This is the attitude of one who has been set free (in a larger sense than just being set free from prison).

1.27-30 These verses, according to several scholars, begin a new section and belongs with the first half of chapter 2. The focus in these verses is to examine what the role of the church (and her believers) is in relation to the surrouding community unconvinced of the truth in Christ: "walk worthily."

1.29-30 Identifying with Christ's suffering: is it too much for us to relate our conflicts, griefs, difficulties, and sufferings with those of Christ? Paul does not seem to think so...but if the jump was too difficult for them to make, he reminded them that at least they were in the same battle with him and could identify with his struggles. And we know his chains are "for Christ." Later he makes a (perhaps) similar analogy in terms of following his example as he follows Christ's.