Joyfully United: Study in the book of Philippians Part 2

TEXT: Philippians 1:3-11

Introduction:

Last week, we began our study of the Book of Philippians by examining the background of how the Church was formed and the events that took place during that time. We also discussed the writer, the time the letter was written, and Paul’s situation at the time of writing. We studied the first two verses, emphasizing why Paul describes himself and Timothy as servants of Christ. We explored the meaning of the word “saints” and its implications for us as believers. Finally, in verse 2, we studied why Paul typically begins his letters with “grace and peace to you” and ends them with “grace with you.” Today, we will continue our study by focusing on Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving and his requests in verses 3-11.

Thanksgiving Prayer (3-8):

It is not unusual for Paul to begin his letters with thanksgiving; he does so in all of his letters except for Galatians and 2 Corinthians. In each case, there is a specific reason for his gratitude. In this instance, Paul is thankful for the Philippians’ partnership with him in the gospel (v. 5) and his confidence that God will complete the good work He began in them (v. 6).

Paul’s description of his prayers of thanksgiving in verses 3-4, along with his comment that he prays “with joy,” is significant. He uses this expression to introduce one of the themes of his letter—joy—which he will later urge them to practice. Paul wants to set an example for them in maintaining joy. His second reason for praying with joy is his deep affection for the Philippians and his care for them (v. 8).

Joy in Adversity:

One point worth noting is that, for Paul, joy is not the result of finding himself in comfortable circumstances. Rather, his joy comes from seeing the gospel spread, even through his imprisonment, and from his partnership with the church in Philippi. Paul expresses joy about the Philippian church because they are partakers with him in grace—both in his imprisonment and in the advancement of the gospel (v. 7).

This teaches us that as believers, our joy should not be determined by our present circumstances. Instead, it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The joy of a believer is anchored in the hope provided by Christ. It is an everlasting joy that transcends what we can see or how life treats us. We must learn to rejoice at all times by tapping into the joy that the Holy Spirit produces in us.

Partnership (v. 5):

The Greek word Paul uses for partnership is koinonia, which means more than just fellowship. It refers to the Philippians’ practical efforts to support Paul in proclaiming the gospel and meeting the needs of other believers. The Philippian church had been a strong partner to Paul, especially in terms of giving to support his ministry. They did this even when other churches were not as committed (Philippians 4:14-16).

An important lesson we can learn here is that the Philippians were not asked to give; they saw a need and met it. They gave to support the expansion of the gospel, not because they had excess (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). This is a model for all of us. We must learn to give deliberately to support God’s work, not just through the tithe and offerings we give in our churches, but by actively seeking opportunities to support the spread of God’s word wherever we find a need.

Complete Salvation (v. 6)

Paul’s second reason for joyful thanksgiving is his confidence that God will complete the “good work” He has begun in the Philippians. Paul affirms that this good work will reach its full completion “at the day of Christ.” So, what does Paul mean by this “good work”? In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul refers to God working in them the work of salvation, so here, the good work refers to their salvation.

If we understand this “good work” as salvation, why does Paul say it will be completed at a later date? To clarify, only God can fully consummate our salvation—it is His work from start to finish. Philippians 1:6 reflects Paul’s assurance that God, who began this work, will complete it. However, we must understand that salvation is an ongoing process. While our initial transformation from darkness to light—when we become God’s children and are initiated into the body of Christ—happens at the moment of our surrender to Christ, the outworking of salvation is a continual process of spiritual growth and transformation.

Salvation, as the Bible describes, is not just a single event but involves a progressive work of transformation within believers. Scripture refers to the final salvation—reserved for those who continue to live the life of Christ and abide in Him to the end. This future completion of salvation is not a new or separate salvation but rather the consummation of the initial salvation we receive through grace by faith (1 Peter 1:3-5, 1 Corinthians 1:6-8).

God is working in us to produce a life that is consistent with the gospel, and it is this transformation that guarantees believers will “take hold” of the final salvation to be revealed “on the day of Christ.” The “day of Christ” refers to the return of Jesus when He will complete the redemptive work He started in each of us. At that time, our salvation will be fully realized in all its aspects—spiritual, emotional, and physical.

This means that believers who will receive salvation at the very end are those who are presently living holy lives, allowing God to work His righteousness in them. Their faith is not static but grows and bears fruit, reflecting the ongoing work of grace that leads to the final completion of salvation at Christ’s return (Hebrews 10:35-39; Philippians 3:12-14). This is the “good work” that God will bring to perfection—our full and final redemption when we see Christ

Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians (Philippians 1:9-11)

In these verses, Paul expresses his heartfelt prayer for the Philippians, outlining both his request and his expectations for how God will work in their lives. It’s common in Paul’s letters to see him pray and also explain the reasons behind his prayer, as well as what he hopes God will accomplish through it. Examples of similar prayers are found in Ephesians 1:14-18, Ephesians 3:14-19, and Colossians 1:9-11.

Let’s break down Paul’s prayer and his expectations in these verses to understand the lessons we can apply to our lives.

‘

The Prayer: Philippians 1:9 (ESV)

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.”

Paul prays that the Philippians’ love will increase and continue growing. This love he speaks of is agape love, the deep, selfless love that believers should have for one another. It is the foundation for unity and humility, both of which are central themes in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul recognizes that only through growing in this love can the Philippians maintain unity and joy as a church.

However, Paul doesn’t just pray for love in isolation—he adds two essential qualities to guide that love:

• Knowledge (epignosis): Paul desires that their love will abound in a deeper understanding of God’s will. This is not just intellectual knowledge but experiential knowledge that leads to obedience. He prays that they would understand what God requires of them in order to live obediently.
• Discernment (aisthesis): This refers to moral insight and perception—the ability to make the right decisions in life. It’s not enough to love; Paul prays that their love will be guided by wisdom, knowing how to apply God’s truth in practical ways. As Frank Thielman explains, Paul’s prayer is for their love to be expressed in a way that shows both a general understanding of God’s will and a specific ability to make moral decisions in everyday life.
•  

The Expectations: Philippians 1:10-11 (ESV)

“…so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Paul’s expectations for the Philippians’ growth in love, knowledge, and discernment are clear. He believes these qualities will enable them to:

1. Approve What is Excellent: Paul prays that their increasing love and discernment will allow them to recognize and pursue what is best. In life, believers often face choices between what is good, better, or best. Paul wants the Philippians to have the wisdom to choose the most excellent way—the choices that align with God’s will.
2. Be Pure and Blameless for the Day of Christ: Paul’s prayer anticipates Christ’s return, the “Day of Christ,” when believers will stand before God. His hope is that by growing in love and discernment, the Philippians will live lives that are holy, free from moral corruption, and blameless before God. This doesn’t mean they will be perfect, but their lives will reflect a consistent pursuit of holiness.
3. Be Filled with the Fruit of Righteousness: As they grow in love, discernment, and obedience, Paul expects that the Philippians will produce the “fruit of righteousness.” This refers to the godly character and good works that come from living in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This fruit is not produced by their own effort, but “through Jesus Christ”—it is the result of His work in their lives.
4. Bring Glory and Praise to God: Ultimately, Paul’s desire is that their growth and righteousness would lead to the glory and praise of God. Everything that the Philippians do, their growth in love, knowledge, discernment, and righteousness, should point to the greatness and goodness of God.

Conclusion

Paul’s prayer is not just for the Philippians but for all believers. We should seek to grow in love that is rooted in knowledge of God’s will and guided by discernment in how we live. As we grow in these areas, we will be better equipped to make excellent decisions that honor God and reflect His character. Our love for others should be continually growing, but it must be shaped by the truth of God’s Word and guided by wisdom.

We must pursue deeper knowledge of God through His Word and learn to apply that knowledge in practical ways, discerning what is morally right and pleasing to God in every situation. Our lives should produce visible evidence of our faith—righteous character and good works that glorify God.

Finally, like the Philippians, we should live in anticipation of Christ’s return, striving to be found pure and blameless, filled with the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. This is a prayer we should pray for ourselves and others: that our love may abound in knowledge and discernment, producing a life that brings glory and praise to God.