Let Me Not Wander

for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.  (Philippians 2:30, ESV) This is why they ought to honor Epaphroditus. His obedience nearly led to his death, and he did this on their behalf. What more could be said? Paul simply wants them to know the price that Epaphroditus nearly paid... the price he was willing to pay... on behalf of the entire Philippian Christian Community. They all could not come, but one came for them.

So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,  (Philippians 2:29, ESV) When Ephaphroditus shows up, Paul wants them to be filled with joy. Enjoy these happy things. Enjoy the reunions of old friends. Enjoy the mercy that God shows to each and every one of us in the little aspects of God's common grace. Notice as well... Men (and women) who are worthy of honor, should be honored. Surely, they themselves are not to seek it, but there is nothing wrong with highlighting the actions of our fellow Christians as something worth pointing out. In fact, not only is there nothing wrong with this, it seems that, as Paul has written this as an imperative, that there is something right about it.

I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.  (Philippians 2:28, ESV) Paul is aware that joy... though it can and should be chosen... can also be affected by the good things in life. Epaphroditus returning home to the Philippian Christians will result in their joy. I wonder if Paul sat back and imagined this reunion. Did he picture Epaphroditus walking back into town? Did he envision him showing up at a fellowship/worship time? Did he think of the hugs that would be shared? It is no wonder that he would be less anxious for this loving people.

Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.  (Philippians 2:27, ESV) Epaphroditus almost died. Whatever this illness was, it was one that nearly took his life. Paul recognizes that the reason Epaphroditus is still alive is simply because of the mercy of God. God had mercy on Epaphroditus. God also had mercy on Paul, because if something would have happened to this faithful friend, brother, worker, soldier... Paul would have experienced sorrow topped with sorrow.

for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.  (Philippians 2:26, ESV) Epaphroditus is also wanting to go back to Philippi, it isn't simply that Paul wants to send him, he also wants to go. And his two-fold reasoning is fascinating. First, he is simply longing for them. He misses them and wants to ... genuinely wants to... be near them. Secondly, he is distressed, but not for his own sake. It has been eating him up because the news of this illness that Epaphroditus must have suffered has made its way back to the Philippian Church. So, he knows... that they know... that he was sick!  But it isn't his illness that is distressing him, it is because he knows that they have been worried about him.

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,  (Philippians 2:25, ESV) Epaphroditus is one of the Philippian Church's own. He is a guy that was sent by the Philippians to minister to Paul in his time of need. He cam bearing a gift from the Philippians to Paul. Paul is now ready to send him home. It sounds like he will be traveling with Timothy. Consider how Paul refers to this man: "my brother" "fellow worker" "fellow soldier" and also... "your messenger and minister to my need" These are all such wonderful terms of endearment. They speak of family, labor, and loyalty. And I can only think that he was sent to be a true representation of the heart of the Philippian Christians.

and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.  (Philippians 2:24, ESV) Paul is hoping to be able to visit this church soon. He will be sending Timothy with news, and it sounds like he is hoping that the news will be that Paul will be along shortly.

I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,  (Philippians 2:23, ESV) This trustworthy servant, Timothy, who has been like a son to Paul, is being sent to the Philippian Church. He isn't being sent right away, Paul is going to detain him long enough to be able to send him with news of Paul's situation. The sending of Timothy shows Paul's concern for the Philippian Church. He wants someone to be there for them. He also wants to make sure that he can send him along with information that he knows they want.

But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.  (Philippians 2:22, ESV) There is something to be said for the love that can develop between two men. Timothy has served Paul like a loving son would. Timothy isn't his son in reality, though one might argue that Timothy is his son in the faith. The point is that these two men have served, side-by-side. In this case, not like brothers, but like a father and son. Timothy has shown himself worthy to Paul. Paul is now telling the Philippian church that they can trust Timothy to be there in Paul's place.

For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.  (Philippians 2:21, ESV) Unlike Timothy, most are seeking their own interests. Timothy, on the other hand, is seeking the interests of Jesus Christ. What are your interests set on? What interests you the most? The servant of Jesus Christ, has his interests set on his master.

For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.  (Philippians 2:20, ESV) Paul tells us that he has no on quite like Timothy, and the particular aspect of Timothy, that earns him this recognition, is that Timothy is genuinely, authentically concerned for the welfare of the Philippian Church. Timothy is a living example of what Paul has been teaching in this letter.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.  (Philippians 2:19, ESV) Here we are, right in the middle of this letter to the Philippians, and Paul jumps to some travel itinerary business. This may seem unusual, until you realize that, in conjunction with this itinerary, Paul is also giving some real life examples of the ideas he has been teaching. In this verse, he reminds the Philippians of Timothy. He will be the first of two human examples of the ideas that have been presented. In this particular statement, Paul is also reminding them that cheer (joy) can come from the little things as well. He acknowledges that the simple reality of hearing news of the Philippians, will bring him joy. Sure, we are called to have joy in our sorrows, but that doesn't mean that we won't be joyful for those little moments as well. What little things do you have to be joyful over? Have you thanked (and acknowledged) God for these things...

Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.  (Philippians 2:18, ESV) There is an interesting play on words here in the greek. In the previous verse, Paul states that he will "be glad and rejoice" with the Philippians. Now he tells the Philippians to "be glad and rejoice" with him. In verse 17, "be glad" is χαίρω (chairō). Meaning, "to rejoice" and the tense of this verb is that it is happening right now. "Rejoice with all of you" is συγχαίρω (synchairō). Notice that it is basically the same word, with "syn" at the beginning, hence the "rejoice with." It is almost as if Paul was saying, "I am joyful and my joy is synchronized with yours." Now, in verse 18, Paul restates these two verbs, with the slight change into imperatives for both. Now they are commands. As if he is now saying, "You should be joyful... choose to be joyful... and let's get it synced back up with my own joy!" ...

Even if 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.  (Philippians 2:17, ESV) I am going to borrow from the words of D.A. Carson, in his book Basics for Believers (a commentary on Philippians) to speak to the symbolism of the drink offering: "In this metaphor, the actions of the Philippians constitute the primary 'sacrifice.' They give themselves to Christ and commit themselves to pleasing him, whatever the cost. Then, if Paul has to give up his life, his sacrifice is merely a kind of libation poured out on top of their sacrifice. Such a libation is meaningless unless it is poured out on a more substantial sacrifice. But their Christian living is that sacrifice; Paul's martyrdom -- should it occur -- or the pains, sufferings, and persecutions he faces as an apostle are the complementary drink offering poured over theirs." As a Pastor, I am aware of this. There is much sacrifice in m...

holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.  (Philippians 2:16, ESV) Remember, we are not grumbling or complaining, so that we can be lights in the world. This is a difficult task. This is an important task. How are we to do this? Or, I guess I should say, in what way are we to do this? "... holding fast to the world of life..." This phrase is more important than one might assume. The avoidance of complaint in this life, the ability to keep this life's woes at bay and not allow its frustrations to overcome us and flow from our lips is a great challenge. We do this when we hold on tightly to the word of life, the good news of the gospel message. What does this look like? There are a variety of ways that this can be accomplished: When we feel overwhelmed by the bad news that bombards us each day, remember the good news that this world will be made new and ruled by our King Jesus (Revela...

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  (Philippians 2:15, ESV) Don't grumble or dispute was the command in the previous verse. If for no other reason, we ought not to do that, simply because God has commanded that we not do that. But here we can see one of the glorious benefits of avoiding the grumbling: when grumbling is absent, we get to shine! Think about it this way: When we share the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, we are sharing something that ought to surpass any and every bad thing that we may encounter here. God has made a way for us to get to know him, and it is completely separate from our ability to accomplish this. He didn't just pave the way to salvation, He IS the salvation. ... God Saves People!  He saves them from their sin, he saves them from the power of sin, he saves them from the penalty of sin, and he grants them the good f...

Do all things without grumbling or disputing,  (Philippians 2:14, ESV) OK. Does this passage really need commentary? Probably not. The teaching is clear: All of the things you do... your work, your play, your ministry, your sleeping, your communication, your conflict resolutions, your interactions with annoying people, your challenges with difficult bosses, your family reunions that you want to go to, your family reunions that you don't want to go to, your chores, your boring times, your fun times, your difficult times, your sad times... All Things... Do them without grumbling or disputing.

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  (Philippians 2:13, ESV) Why do we work out our salvation? Why would we take that salvation that God has freely bestowed on us and work it out into the rest of our lives? Why would we work it into our homes, our families, our work places, our friends, our churches, and our neighborhoods? Why? It is because (for) God is working in us on two levels: the will and the work. For many, the thought of God's sovereignty in our lives seems to be a dis-motivation toward effort. In the scriptures, this is never true. Anytime a biblical author discusses God's sovereign hand in our daily lives, it is a motivation to even higher effort. This can be noticed in evangelistic efforts: Paul the Apostle, after a discouraging time in ministry, was motivated by the Lord to continue his efforts because the Lord told him that, "... I have many in this city who are my people." (Acts 18:5-11) If you look at G...

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,  (Philippians 2:12, ESV) Paul is encouraging them. He is drawing attention to their previous obedience: He has seen their obedience first hand. He has experienced their loving care, as they, in obedience to God, had provided for Paul's needs, on more than one occasion. So, what he says next is not because of a lack of obedience, but it is an encouragement to "keep on." Very much how one would see a runner, near the end of their race, a runner who had been running and was showing no signs of stopping... one might still encourage them as they were passing by, "Keep at it! Keep going! Don't stop!" Or how a coach might actually say, "Pick up the pace!" These words do not discount the previous effort, but acknowledge that effort and encourage it to continue. And what is his encourage...

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:11, ESV) As the knees bow... the tongues will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Let's not forget the context of this verse though. The Apostle is encouraging us to be humbly obedient. He has told us to put others ahead of ourselves and too look to their needs, not just our own. He tells us to do this the way Jesus did... to have his mind... his thought process. And then after he describes the great lengths Jesus went to in order to be obedient to the Father, he tells us this: Christ was and will be glorified. Why? To help us to think beyond as well. To think past this life. Yes, Jesus suffered the cross and the humiliation. Yes he endured as a man, but he also knew the end result. God would be glorified and he would be lifted up. If you are looking for motivation or encouragement to continue, then consider the end and your final state.