By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
JOY IN PRAYER
Philippians 1:1–11
Shared Faith (1–2)
Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi while he was imprisoned in Rome. It is important to recognize this as it shows Paul’s demeanor while he is aware of the likelihood he could be executed soon. He was with his traveling companion Timothy, one of his closest friends and helpers.
In Paul’s greeting, he mentions how he and Timothy are servants of Christ Jesus, affirming their solidarity with the believers in Philippi. Paul and Timothy model what it means to be a servant, helping show that Christians are to serve one another in humility. Instead of acting like the world acts, where people put themselves over others and often try to puff themselves up, Christians are to find their identity in Christ and in service to Him. We don’t have to worry about living up to the world’s standards of what it means to have value because we find our value in how God values us. This is why the modern obsession with identity is so terrible. People today often try to find meaning and relevance in being part of some identity group based on race or sexuality. It leads to a divisive and tyrannical worldview where there are “in-groups” and “out-groups.” The only groups in a Christian worldview are believers and unbelievers, and one of our goals is to see the gospel preached to the unbelievers so they can belong to Christ. Christianity seeks to bring more into the group rather than find ways to exclude people as identity politics does.
Thankful Faith (3–8)
Further, in Paul’s greeting, he expresses thankfulness for the Philippians and the joy he has when thinking about them because of their faithfulness in helping his ministry. Paul founded the church back in Acts 16 and had a good relationship with these Christians. Paul was writing to encourage them that God would not forsake them. Just because Paul was in prison did not mean God had abandoned him – Paul was able to minister while in prison. Paul affirmed that the same God who had saved them would continue to sanctify them until the day of Christ’s return. Our circumstances do not dictate our relationship with Christ or whether or not God is displeased with us. God allows trials to come our way for a variety of reasons (Rom. 8:18-30), but we should never fear that God would cast us aside. Since God is the One who initiated our salvation, He is not going to take it from us. We can be confident that God holds us firm (Rom. 8: 31–39).
Paul also thanked the Philippians for the help they had given him while he was in prison. It is possible that the Philippians were helping take care of Paul’s needs with food and clothing. When we help other Christians, we are partakers in their ministry. Many missionaries must raise funds to fulfill their ministry. When Christians support them, they are part of that ministry. William Carey, the father of modern Protestant missions, went to India but knew he needed help to do so, and he appealed to his Baptist friends in England for support. You are participating in ministry when you help others by prayer and gifts, financial or otherwise.
Growing Faith (9–11)
In this prayer, Paul is modeling for us how we should pray as well. Sometimes it is difficult to pray for other people – we don’t know what is going on in their life, or maybe we only know of a certain trial or praise. But it is important for us to remember to pray for spiritual maturity, not only for ourselves, but for other Christians. Paul prays that their love would grow in knowledge and discernment that would lead to wise actions. Christians are to love, but our world defines love in ways counter to the Bible. We can be easily confused as to what real love means, which is why we pray that our wisdom would increase of how to love others. As we grow in spiritual wisdom, we are being sanctified to become more like Christ.
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