The Book of Philippians Pt. 32 Strength from Christ. Grace for our needs. Be a Blessing!

Paul is reaching the end of his most personal letter to a church family that he loved dearly. He has given us much wonderful truth as guided by the Spirit of God, and we benefit from studying it. 

Rejoicing from being "in the Lord."

Philippians 4:10  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 

In this text, the word "but" is used to transition to a different subject that Paul wanted to bring before the people. Paul uses the phrase "in the Lord" again to remind all of us of the rich blessings, privilege's and responsibilities that we have "in Christ." All that we do, say or think should be done through the view that we are "in the Lord" as Christians. 

How will what we say, think or do reflect upon the name of our glorious Savior, Jesus Christ? 

This is the seventeenth time that Paul has spoken about joy or rejoicing to the Philippians. The source of rejoicing is that the Philippians  were actively helping to meet Paul's basic personal needs for food and clothing. 

Since he was in Roman custody at this time, Paul did not need help with shelter but he did need assistance with the basic necessities, including travel expenses for his companions in ministry.  

The tense of the verb "rejoiced" means that Paul rejoiced in the past for their care of him and he was rejoicing in the present because their care had resumed. This means that for some unknown reason, they were unable to supply his needs for a period of time. 

The words "flourished again" has the idea of being revived, sprouting up once more or blossoming again. The Greek word was used to describe trees and flowers coming back to life after winter passed. This phrase has the idea of God moving His people to act with one heart and one accord to accomplish a particular task, in this case, meeting Paul's needs (See for examples,  Judges 6:16; 20:1; 8; 11).

The word "care" means to have the same mind, to agree together and seek the interest of others. Paul was blessed because the Philippians had acted in unison to meet his needs.  They did "care" for Paul previously but were not needed to help supply the apostle's needs until the present time when Paul wrote to them.  

Thus, Paul was not reproving or correcting the Philippians because their lack of care for him was due to circumstances out of their control (Philippians 2:30). 

Strengthened by Christ to endure hard times and not be swayed by good times. 

Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

Paul is teaching us a valuable lesson about his relationship to material resources like money, investments, homes or possessions. He said he was content whether he had much or whether he had little. 

The words "I have learned" are emphatic in the Greek, meaning that Paul was not going to be discontent even if other people were. The Spirit of God taught Paul to be content in all situations and he learned to live each day in dependency upon our great God. 

Paul knew how to graciously endure being abased, which means being brought low by your circumstances. He was abased when he suffered a need or was hungry and had no food. He also knew how to graciously abound which means having more than he needed, being full and without pressing needs. 

It is within this context that Paul says 
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." The things for which Paul received strength from Christ were to endure things like being hungry, lacking the basic essentials for life, being shipwrecked, deserted by other Christians, or beaten for the cause of Christ. 

This also included strength from Christ for those times when he had all his needs met and had an abundance, so that he would not crave those extra things. The main idea behind verse thirteen is that as long as Christ put His power into Paul, the apostle was able to endure hardship and fulness. 

He had been trained through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be joyful whatever the circumstances of life brought. Paul rejoiced when he had very little and when he had an abundance!

1 Timothy 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

This text is from a pastoral epistle written by Paul to a young pastor named Timothy. It restates a valuable truth that we all need to learn and apply. Choosing to live a life that pleases God and being content with whatever we have in terms of wealth or possessions is great gain. The idea is that investing ourselves in loving and obeying God is far more rewarding that monetary gains. 

The Philippians were a true blessing to Paul.

Philippians 4:14-16  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15) Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16) For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Paul commended the Christians at Philippi for showing a generous and thoughtful spirit toward him. They were the only church to communicate with him during his present affliction. They were the only ones who asked Paul about sending a gift to him or if he had received aid from other churches. They sent gifts to Paul twice while he was at Thessalonica. 

The word "communicate" means that they became partakers of Paul's afflictions by considering his affliction as their own. 

1 Corinthians 12:26  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Paul told the Corinthians if one member in the body of Christ suffered, then the whole body suffered together, and likewise if one rejoiced, the body was rejoicing (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Thus, Paul expressed his thankfulness to the Philippians for the love and thoughtfulness for him.

The generosity of the Philippians was pleasing to God. 

Philippians 4:17-18  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18) But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 

Paul did desire fruit to abound to the account of each Philippian believer, fruit that would be recognized at the believers judgment before Christ ( 1 Corinthians 3: 10-15).  Paul desired fruit for the church at Philippi that would pass the scrutiny of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

He called their generous gifts a sweet smelling odor that was acceptable and well pleasing to God. 

Abundant grace for all our needs. 

Philippians 4:19-20  19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20) Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul said that God would repay the Philippians for their extreme generosity toward the apostle.  The word "supply" means to fill up to the brim, to make complete and to liberally provide. The word "need" refers to a necessity for something that is lacking. The measure of their supply would come from the immeasurable riches of God's glorious grace.  

Paul was so happy in spirit but he reminded them that God gets all the glory for His work among them all. 

Paul preached in prison and people got saved!

Philippians 4:21-23  Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22) All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. 23) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Paul closed out this letter of love to the Philippians with an exchange of greeting. Paul asked them to greet every saint in Christ for him, since he could not see them in person. He also shared greetings to them from the saints who were with Paul at Rome. 

All of this seems like a typical exchange of common courtesies, but do not miss verse 22. Paul passed on greetings from all the born again believers who were members of Caesars household. That is an amazing statement. Paul witnessed for Christ while in prison and members of Caesar's home were born again. 

This teaches us that we can be used of God no matter where we are or what our circumstances are. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Rejoicing was a big part of Paul's life and he rejoiced because they were all born again and "in the Lord."

Are we rejoicing in all circumstances?

Christ will strengthen us for the good times as well as the times of trouble. We learn that being content while living a life that pleases God, is the greatest investment a believer can make. 

Are we relying on the strength of our Savior, Jesus Christ, for all that we do?

Paul also taught us to rejoice and weep together as member in the body of Christ. We often lose sight of our mutual connection to each other through Christ. 

Are we sharing in joy or pain with other members of the body of Christ? 

Are we expressing our thanks to those Christians who are a blessing to us? 

May we learn these truths so that we can glorify God with our lives. May each of us have a life that is like the Philippians, a sweet smelling savour that is well pleasing to God. 

Bob