Paul's Prayer in Philippians
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Philippians 1.9-18
Milk
January 12th 2020
So, Paul has written the first words of his salutation to the believers at Philippi – which we covered last week. In those verses, he spoke of praying for them always. Of course, he continues and now says:
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Understanding Paul's Desires for the Philippians
Let’s hit on these verses before moving on into verse 12. In our verses last week, Paul said that he always includes the people of Philippi in his every prayer.
Now here he begins verse 9 with, “And this I pray," and his lists five things that he prays for:
- that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
- that ye may approve things that are excellent;
- that ye may be sincere
- and without offence (till the day of Christ);
- Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, (which are by Jesus Christ) (and that those fruits of righteousness that they are filled with are) unto the glory and praise of God.
The Principles Paul Prays For
These, I suggest, are principles of the Spirit that Paul prays those believers will have. We notice that Paul does NOT pray for their wealth or health or protection. His desires for them all appear to circulate around the verbs of Christian love and authenticity.
So let’s talk about the first one:
9 And this I pray, “that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.”
The first two great commandments – to love God and to love one another. What a prayer right? To pray that others would love with the kind of Love God desires. Paul adds a line that helps us to understand what this means, saying:
In knowledge and all judgment.
This addition to the desire that they love, the idea seems to be that Paul wanted their love to be “intelligent affection.”
Love in Knowledge and Judgment
What this seems to mean is they should not “love” with the touchy feely emotionally driven love we fall into but love backed by reason and intelligence, love that is based on facts and foundations of logic. And not mere or blind affection. This is so vitally important a principle in the faith. Our love is commended and commanded, but Paul qualifies it as a love that has a brain.
I feel badly for the homeless walking down my street in the snow, and those feelings push me to going to Target and buying as many sets of gloves I can on my credit card and to hand them out freely to all I see. But Christian agape love has intelligence. It reasons, thinks, and takes the time to assess each situation within the confines of its circumstances so that the love I share, express, and deliver (since it is a verb).
I’m really grateful for this expression provided by Paul because it is SO important to the Christian mind and life because it tells us that our love is reflective and administered in light of circumstances and NOT just an emotive response.
And then he also adds to knowledge, “and in all judgment,” which makes it even more clear as the Greek word is “ah-hee-sthasis” and it best means “Discernment.” To love with knowledge and discernment. BOOM. This really rounds out the biblical definition of agape love and clearly helps the emotionally impetuous lovers in the faith to realize that genuine authentic Godly love includes reasoning – something that people who prey on emotional lovers dislike.
So it’s not about gushing service and money and favors forward but first taking the facts (knowledge) and then discerning the facts relative to the situation and needs. When we are led of the Spirit, these things coalesce into some really good courses of action (like what Paul is describing here) which is “agape love by knowledge and discernment.”
The mitigating or offsetting word in this passage is abounding, which comes from a Greek word that means superabundance of, and this brings back the application of Agape love to the arena of passion and emotion. And it brings to mind a person who is abounding about in active love for others but in each case, hears their situation, accesses it by the Spirit and information given, then determines by discernment of
Spiritual Maturity and Discernment
All of these things: how to genuinely assist the person with their needs – which might include resisting help when it would only serve to harm them. And this is just speaking of stepping in and assessing the material needs of others. The principle remains for believers who are babes or meat eaters.
The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 5:13-14:
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
So just as it would be unloving to give a toddler "War and Peace" to read and expect them to understand it, it is unloving to expect or demand those who are unskilled in the Word to be able to digest the weightier contents – and so a loving Christian refrains from loading the inept with concepts that are incompatible with their level of understanding.
To arrive at this place takes discipline and a maturity that comes over time and with error. This means, in the end, that a discerning thinking Christian is a loving Christian in one of the better senses of the term.
Approving the Excellent
Then Paul adds at verse 10 that he prays:
- That ye may approve things that are excellent;
The word "approve" here better means to try or test, like we would do with metals, so the meaning seems to be that Paul prays that they would test or try things that are (the King James says, excellent, but the better Greek (dee-af-ero) means “different”).
So, to test and try differing views and positions as a means to discern what is beneficial and or evil. To me this means that it is a good thing to expose ourselves, and our children, to innumerable variances in life instead of sheltering them and weakening their immunity to error.
Let them investigate and challenge – or test as Paul says, because it is in and through this that they will rise up in the Spirit and see the truth verses the error – in time. The term used is applied to metals to test their strength and purity and so it is a great representation to ideals and opinions. Test all things, hold fast to what is good – right?
Sincerity and Integrity
Number three his prayer was:
“that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ,”
The word "sincere" is used in scripture and can mean pure (like in 1st Peter) but we talked about the origins of the word, sine-seros (without wax) last week and this is what it means here:
“That you may be without hypocrisy or wax and without offence until the day of Christ.”
The actual meaning of sine-seros is that which is judged in the sun, and when we recall that it was specifically applied to ceramics coated in wax the actual meaning makes sense. I tend to see the principle of pottery “judged in the light of the sun” and as being “without wax” (sine-seros) as a type or picture for every one of us who will someday stand before the living God, who is described twice in scripture as a consuming fire, and having the waxy build-up of our persons sort of melt before him leaving only what remains.
Meaning all the things that we built up in the darkness, all the things we used to obscure our hearts and lives from him and others, all the hiding, covering, and stop-gap measures and all of the material transitory things we leaned or relied upon to give us a reputation here, will also be examined in the light of God – leaving again ONLY what has the capacity to thrive beyond this world.
And so, as Christians, we seek to encourage each other to be sincere, honest, transparent, open. To have a clear relationship with the living God now, as a means to reprioritize our values, if need be, so as to extricate the earthly dross while refining the eternal gold. Unfortunately, the very goal of being open is lost in the vapor and fog of religious practices which have the tendency to cause people to do more pretending than almost anything else on earth. WHAT A PARADOX!
And so we strive to get ourselves to the place where we refuse to turn to deceitful, ambiguous, hypocritical words and actions and to instead get to the point where our souls are clear and ready to stand in the light.
Pursuing Honesty and Integrity
Paul emphasizes being “without offence.” This means not only living openly and honestly with integrity but also ensuring we do not offend others. It's about avoiding harm to others, their families, property, feelings, or reputation. The balance of being transparent without causing offense is a challenge. It requires a heart purified by the Lord through the Spirit.
When people expose their true selves, hypocrisy often surfaces, revealing an unpleasant nature. Paul's prayer is for the removal of obstacles to transparency, resulting in individuals who do not offend others—a sign of Christ’s work within.
The Day of Christ
Paul uses the phrase “till the day of Christ” twice in five verses to emphasize ongoing action. It serves as a reminder of a goal to pursue as that significant day approaches rapidly.
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Fruits of Righteousness
Paul hopes for them (and believers) to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness.” Fruits are the outcomes of following Christ. He desires them to be filled with the outcomes (fruits) “of righteousness.”
I struggled with the term righteous in my time as a Mormon, associating it with piety. But stepping back to examine its biblical use, especially through Jesus’ teachings, I find a better interpretation: FAIR, EQUITABLE, and IMPARTIAL.
These terms diverge from piety, focusing instead on fairness. Interestingly, the term aligns with justification, a forensic term related to detecting crime.
In faith, justification is the divine act where God pardons believers’ sins, treating them as righteous (equitable) under the law. This means the person stands FAIRLY before God, having met all demands and being justified. The law is not relaxed or set aside but fulfilled fully, declaring the justified person as meeting all legal claims.
Justification and Paul's Teachings
Deemed justified (and/or seen as equitable before God and therefore entitled to all the advantages and rewards arising from perfect obedience to the law.
Romans 5:1-10
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
The Fruits of Righteousness
So getting back to verse 11, where Paul wrote 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness (fairness, equity and/or impartiality – meaning as before the Law) (Paul adds a line that makes sense) which are by Jesus Christ (meaning we are all made just, equitable before God by Jesus Christ, and he adds), “unto the glory and praise of God.” “Filled with the end products of having been seen as equitable before the Law, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” Those who have had faith in Christ, have been justified by Him, made righteous (or have been made impartial before God by Him), and Paul’s prayer is that the end product of this will be the fruit of the Spirit which is honesty, truth, kindness, meekness, goodness etc. etc. To what end? Paul tells us: “Unto the glory and praise of God.” This is the end game – that God may be glorified in the work of His Son and in the labors of those who place their faith in Him.
Paul's Situation and His Imprisonment
So after giving us those directives Paul slips into another direction that speaks (once again) of his personal situation and the details surrounding it. So, he says at verse 12-20
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
We are not going to be able to cover all of this little expose from Paul but let’s see what we can.
So back to verse 9 where Paul now writes more about his situation and circumstances, as he says: 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; Apparently from the words Paul uses, he wanted the believer at Philippi to understand some of the details about his imprisonment in Rome and so he shares insights with them we don’t always see in other epistles. So he starts off telling them that he wants them to understand the things which happened to him have, “fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel.”
We don’t know why he wanted to inform them of these things but it seems that
They were interested in him and his life,
that perhaps there were some unfounded rumors bandies about him and his imprisonment and he wanted to tell them the truth. And that he had some other important things to convey to them by the Spirit and used this letter to also give them an update on his own life circumstances.
The phrase, “have fallen out,” is better understood as “have happened” which he says have resulted in the “furtherance,” or the increase or promotion of the gospel. So instead of these things that have happened to Paul being a hindrance of the Gospel they have become an advantage. I am going to add here the phrase (so much so – verse 13)
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Boldness Amid Bonds
13 …that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
Paul was put in chains and restricted to life in a palace of Caesar in Rome. Part of his punishment was that he was chained to a guard who was there to witness and hear everything that he said to others. Brutal. Whatever the purpose it worked to the advantage of the Gospel and his “bonds” (or punishment in that situation) was manifested (or known about) through all the pratorium (as it is translated by others). And so Paul adds (at verse 14):
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Because of this verse it is believed that Rome had a number of Christians or people who at least professed Christianity. So many that Paul admits that many of these brethren waxed confident by his bonds, meaning that they became increasingly bold and zealous in consequence of his being confined. Perhaps they saw Paul as a champion of the faith and his example inspired them to be more bold or they jumped on a growing bandwagon of others who were inspired by Paul’s story that was circulating around the palace and they too became bold or perhaps because Paul was free to roam about the palace somewhat freely he was able to directly encourage them to be bold in the faith.
Whatever it was Paul says that they were bold enough to speak “the word without fear.” Perhaps again they could see that even Paul, who was in chains and partially imprisoned faced no real danger from speaking boldly and so taking courage in the sight also became bold in sharing the gospel. So, Paul, now speaking of these men who were emboldened to share Jesus presents a principle that is often shared among Christians today, says at verse 15:
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Preaching with Varied Motives
Jump back to verse 15 with me as we wrap this up today.
15 Some (of these bold men) indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
After admitting that some of these men preached Christ even of envy and strife Paul chooses not to tell us what the preaching of Christ via envy and strife looked like. Perhaps they were competing with Paul, or divisive in their approach to sharing Jesus with others – all we can say is Paul defines them as preaching Jesus “even of envy and strife.”
I’m sure you have witnessed this very thing in your life – when someone pops up at a Christian gathering but spends their time stirring up strife? This appears to speak to that sort. “And some also of good will.” Which seems to be they shared the Gospel from pure motives and without any aim to cause any trouble or division. Then he further elaborates and says at (verse 16):
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel
The one preaches Christ of contention as a means to add to Paul’s afflictions, he says, “not sincerely, “not purely” in their motives and intentions, and Paul says that they did this to add to the afflictions that he is already under. But, he adds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
The others from pure motives, and from sincere affection to me, which is out of love as they believe that I am an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. This line seems to suggest that these types believed Paul was wrongly imprisoned and that his purpose was to set forth a defense of the Gospel to the world.
Rejoicing in the Preaching of Christ
But then he adds a great liberal summary line and says:
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
“What then?” Seems to be a line that
The Approach to Preaching
Means, “What follows from this? What effect does it have on my mind?” Do I get upset over this or troubled? Does it cause me envy and anger and pain? He adds, “Notwithstanding every way,” which means, “No matter in what way Jesus is preached.”
Now, I’m sure Paul preferred the Gospel to be preached by men and women with pure intentions. But I appreciate what he says here and the attitude that comes with it. Why? I think the message central to the words is when Jesus is preached, and the Spirit is present, those who seek Him and seek truth will come to see that He is the way. Nothing can hinder the truth by the Spirit to come forth – no matter who is involved. And I think that there is wisdom in this approach.
18 What then? notwithstanding any or every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Genuine Intentions vs. Pretense
Whether in pretense or in truth. I think this line speaks volumes with regard the worthiness of a preacher – which is a really religious perspective that gets tossed around and tends to suggest that unless a man is worthy he or she cannot share the truth with others. BALONEY. The lowest of low in a dungeon cell sharing the message of Jesus has the capacity of bringing Him and His light to the heart of another – as supported by this passage.
So whether the gospel is shared as a mere pretext to cover up some other design or from pure motives, Paul says that the Gospel is preached AND that he rejoices in such. And this is the point of the four verses – man and all of our chicanery and ways is not in charge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is in the hands of the Spirit which teaches us all things. Of course the insincere words of the fakes will do nothing for them personally in the future, but God has triumphed and will triumph over the ways, means and intentions of men. This Paul affirms.
Reflection on Paul's Perspective
We might take this and relax a bit when others like the LDS preach Christ. I know it's hard because they are sharing something so important and sacred with people what we know will ultimately be misrepresented in the future by them. But can we also say, like Paul says, “Christ is preached?” I am more and more inclined to think so.
Let’s wrap it up here for today.
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