Epistles of Paul 101

Philippians is a very stirring and encouraging epistle, and it is mainly a thank you in epistle to the Philippian brethren, thanking them for their commitment to God. There's clearly a strong exhortation in this epistle for us to live a Christian life, to be worthy of our conduct of the Gospel. And it's not a heavy doctrinal letter. The theme, as I mentioned before, is living the Christian life, and that is only possible through unity and the joy of God's Holy Spirit that we have as one. In his introductory comments, he starts with a very encouraging note, which we might note off in our last study, which is in verse 6, and it says, "...being confident of this very thing that he who has begun a good work in you, he will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Pay your pardon. So we can look forward to a joyful expectation of what God has for us in future, in the future, and it is encouraging for all of us.

If we are amongst the ones that God, for one reason or another, called us and we are responding to that calling and we have God's Holy Spirit, he will complete his work in us. We must just not let go, but he will complete it. And then in verses 9 through 11, Paul mentioned that he prayed for the Philippian brethren, and he briefly describes his prayer for them about and asking for their love to abound, and that they may approve all that is correct according to God's Word.

In other words, approve all that is excellent. And he said, if so, they could expect certain outcomes, certain results, as we see at the latter part of verse 10, that it says that you may be. So there is some outcome or results.

One of them is being sincere, not offending anyone, whether it's God or your neighbor. And that would be until we're going to be sincere and not offending anyone, until Christ's return. That's when Christ will come to judge the world, and that even then, we will still be and may continue to be sincere and without affairs.

He also mentions that we need to be filled with fruits produced by righteousness that's doing what is right, and that is because of Christ's teachings, Christ's doctrine, Christ's grace, and also that we receive and we use God's power, that's his Holy Spirit, so that we may do what is right.

And in the end, in the end, the final outcome is for God's glory. So that's where we stopped in last study. So now we continue in verse 12. But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel. And he is saying a very important point is that even though sometimes we go through difficult times, and as an example, Paul was going through difficult times, he was put in jail, but this was for the furtherance of the Gospel.

It turned out for the good progress or the development of the teaching and the understanding and the spreading of that understanding of what Christ is doing for us and has done for us. And so Paul was in jail. Why? Because he had people that, particularly in Jerusalem, when he was in Jerusalem, they were against him and they had accusations against him. And so he appealed to Caesar. So Yahweh is now in Rome, in jail. And even it is hinted throughout this section that even the Philippian brethren were also going through certain difficulties and persecutions.

So in this way, he's encouraging them to say what is happening is actually, in the end, turns out for good. And then in verse 13, he says, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, you know, the whole guard, like the royal guard in the palace, you know, with all those guards there and the people, they all knew and it says, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ.

They all knew that he was not a criminal and this was just an accusation because that he was standing up for the truth and some of those people that were pushing for the ceremonial law, we're turning against him. Continue in verse 14, and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

And so the outcome is that the brethren have more courage to speak God's word and what Christ is doing for us and has done for us with more confidence, without fear. Because sometimes there is a reticence of people to speak about what we believe and what he's saying is provided with being a right example and doing things in the right way, there's nothing wrong with that.

Unfortunately, we see some people preaching about Christ but with the wrong motives and that's exactly what Paul now gets into because Yah is says in verse 15, some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife and some also from goodwill. So the motives of why some people preach about what Christ has done are different. Some have godly motives and some are other motives which Paul says, yeah, envy and strife. And maybe it's for gain, maybe it's for power, maybe it's for money, but it is unfortunate.

Now, he explains about these two groups in verses 16 and 17. It's interesting to note that in some Bible verses these two verses are in a different sequence. So some Bible versions have what is written on verse 17 first and some other Bible versions have what is in verse 16 and 17 reversed in order, one from the other.

But they both say the same thing. So basically, most of the texts have, as it's seen in the New King James Version, there is verse 16, the contents of verse 16 first, and then the contents of verse 17. But there are a number of other more modern versions that put it in the other sequence. In other words, what is in verse 17, they put it first, and what is in verse 16, they put it second.

But anyway, we will follow how it is in the New King James Version. And let's read verse 16. For the former, and let's talk about those that preach Christ from envy and strife, the former preached Christ from selfish ambitions, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains. And so Paul is saying that in his understanding, they have a selfish purpose or motivation, which is not honest, which is not sincere.

In other words, a desire to get could be money, could be power.

And in that case, in that context that he lived at that time, the people that were attacking Paul were mostly those that were punting for the ceremonial law, that justification is by works of the ceremonial law. And they could be saying things like, we are not bad like Paul. You see, Paul is being punished because of what is preaching. Or they could say, well, no one has been thrown into jail for being good. So he must be guilty of something. So whatever people were saying, Paul is saying that there is some selfish ambition behind those people that preach Christ from an angle of envy and strife. And that's why he says it's not sincerely, could be translated also, is not purely, not for pure intent. So basically, the way we understand is the Jewish, let's call it that justification by works of the ceremonial law, that Jewish, quote-unquote, leaven they tried to introduce was basically to glorify themselves. And they thought that by putting this pressure on Paul, they were supposing or they thinking that they were adding affliction or tribulation to Paul's imprisonment by him being in chains. So their thought was, in other words, taking the opportunity of Paul being put in jail, they were using that opportunity to emphasize that justification. And therefore, they were trying to downgrade Paul's preaching so that Paul will be in their way of looking at things frustrated with their apparent success. In other words, they thought Paul was seeking his own glory as they were and that Paul would be upset at their supposed success. But as we'll see in verse 18, that was not the case. But let's look at the converse of the other people in verse 17 first, which is the ones that, at the end of verse 15, says, some also from goodwill. In other words, those are the latter that he described here in verse 15. So he's describing them here in verse 17, but the latter, they do it out of love, knowing that I'm appointed for the defense of the gospel. So those that are preaching with Paul and they're doing it out of goodwill, they know that Paul was appointed. He says, knowing that I'm appointed. Appointed to what? Well, first appointed by God to suffer persecution. Let's look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 3. 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 3.

Rhea is Paul describing to the Thessalonians and he's saying, and well, let's read from verse 1, Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it would to be left in Athens alone and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions. For you, yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

We are appointed to suffer afflictions, to suffer persecution, particularly as we are true Christians and we live the way. So, in Philippians 1 verse 17, when it says, I am appointed by God to suffer persecution, that is one possibility. A second possibility is knowing that he's appointed by God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's look at a few scriptures here in Acts. The first one is Acts chapter 20. In Acts chapter 20, at the end of his third missionary trip, when he's saying goodbye to the ministers that he called from the Ephesian area, the Ephesian elders, he says in Acts 20 verse 24, But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life clear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

So he received, in other words, he was appointed to preach this gospel of the grace of God, and therefore he was appointed by God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Another example that describes this is when in Acts chapter 9, when Paul was first called, and we see there in Acts chapter 9 verse 15 and 16, and he is in a situation that Ananias is questioning, you know, why is he going to talk to Saul at that time, or Saul? And Ananias said in verse 13 of Acts chapter 9, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.

And yeah, he has authority from the chief priests to bind hold who called on your name. But then Christ told him, and the Lord said to him in verse 15, go! You know, it was Ananias' goal. Just trust me. Trust God. Believe in God. Have faith in God. Go! For he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name.

So he is appointed. He is chosen by Christ to bear his name before, first, his first mission is before the Gentiles. His second-fold mission is kings, and his third-fold mission is the children of Israel. For I'll show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. So Paul was appointed by God to preach the Gospel, the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of what Jesus Christ did, and he did it even into Caesar's house.

And so, yeah, we see Paul in being now in jail in Philippi, and he's making mention that he was appointed for this very purpose, to suffer. So, yeah, we see that God appointed him. Another example is towards the end of Acts in chapter 28. Chapter 28, right at the end, verse 31, we can see Paul while he's in jail, or let's call it, in house arrest. Says he had, verse 31, preaching the kingdom of God. So he's preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, then teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ above the kingdom of God, and the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.

In other words, that Christ is the one that is redeemed us, and saved us, and is the king of kings, that is going to rule in the kingdom of God. So that is an important and critical part of the Gospel of the kingdom of God that can stand by its own as an important message.

And particularly the one that Paul was giving to the Gentiles is that the Gentiles would also have an opportunity for salvation, and was not just for the Jews. So that was, we can see that Paul was appointed for this specific role. So let's continue now in Philippians. We just finished reading chapter 1 verse 17. It says, I'm appointed for the defense of the Gospel, and now verse 18. And that ties in with what I mentioned when I read verse 16, because they thought that they were those other people that were preaching Christ with ambient strife, and those that had that Paul makes mention that they did it with selfish ambition.

And they were thinking that they were adding or affliction to His chains. But yeah, Paul in verse 18 says, what them? Only that in every way, whether in pretense, whether they are, in other words, not sincere, were they doing it with a selfish ambition, or are they doing it with truth, or in good will, Christ is preached. And this, and in this, I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. And now that reminds me quite often when I was in the industry, we used to say any marketing is good.

And in a sense, that's what Paul is saying. Even if they're preaching against Him, or for or with Him, or with Paul, Christ is being preached. Christ is being preached one way or another. So he rejoiced because Paul was not looking or seeking His own glory. Now continue now in verse 19. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And so, yeah, we see in you that He might be delivered out of jail because He says, this will turn out for my deliverance.

So He had that confidence. And as we see later, He says the same thing again, even though, as we'll see a little later, He's saying, well, if it was my will, I sometimes wondered what was better. But I know for your sakes it is better for me to be freed. So He knew that for the sake of the brethren. So He says, and for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance. Through what? Through your prayers and also through the power of God's Holy Spirit. In other words, their prayers for His delivery and their prayers for Him to have a further supply of God's Holy Spirit.

In other words, as a result of their prayers, He would obtain more of God's Holy Spirit. And He needs God's Holy Spirit, and we all need God's Holy Spirit, to have more wisdom. And particularly in this case, that He was going to be sitting in front of different magistrates and judgments, and you would have to defend the faith in basic trials and different arguments that people would present to Him. He would need God's Holy Spirit, God's wisdom, the capability to reason, and the capability to defend correctly those arguments.

So that He would ultimately be delivered out of it. So He needed their prayers, and also their prayers for God's Holy Spirit to say the right things at the right time.

Now, verse 20. According to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified by my body, whether by life or by death. And so He's saying, yeah, in verse 20, that was Paul's expectation that God will deliver and give Him wisdom to testify the gospel. That's what He says, according to my earnest expectation of, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always. So He will be able to testify the gospel, and in nothing be ashamed.

So in other words, in nothing He would be disappointed or bring disappointment to this great hope, because it's a great hope and He will say it in a way that is honorable.

And therefore, He says here that He would not only in nothing to be ashamed, but with all boldness. Now it's interesting if we look at the phrase here, in nothing, it's an opposite when it says with all boldness. So the nothing be ashamed is opposite to all, you know, instead of nothing, it's all. And boldness is the opposite of being ashamed. So He would be bold, not in secret, but openly, clearly testify the gospel of what Christ has done and how we are saved by God's grace.

But obviously, that does not mean that now we don't have to do our part. But that's what He was saying, that we have this great hope because of what Christ has done for us, not what we have done.

And therefore, throughout this, Christ would be magnified. So and He says, whether I live or die. So it's immaterial whether He would live or die. The important thing is for Christ to be magnified.

What do we mean? Christ being magnified. That means that Jesus Christ's nature, who He is, be magnified, be understood of what Christ has done, Christ's teaching, be magnified, be understood.

And that teaching and what Christ has done is very, very excellent, quote-unquote. It's a good, healthy, hopeful teaching and it's very necessary. For instance, think about the world in which we live. It's so necessary. We need so much Christ and that Christ's coming and what He's doing for us and for all mankind is so glorious. You think about, if you were going to try, let's say that you were put in a position to be the president of a country and you were to try and do things to solve the world's problems, where would you even start? Where would you even start? You just, and whatever you did, whatever one way or another, you would be criticized. It just, we are so incapable, incapable of doing anything to solve these world's problems. And so it's so necessary, this gospel of Christ, not only just for our personal salvation, but for the salvation of our country, of our countries, of the whole world. I mean, we listen to news and sometimes we just feel like switching off because it's just bad news and bad news and bad news. We we need Christ coming. It's so necessary and it's so urgent today and that will be so glorious because we'll bring peace to this world, which today there's no way, no man, no leader can bring peace. And so this gospel that he is saying that we need to preach by our example, by the way we live, we need to be bold and courageous about it. Now from verse 21 to verse 26 is an interesting section because it's a section that some people say that Paul believed that he was going to heaven when he would die, but that's not the case. So let's just read verse 21 through verse 26 and then analyze it carefully. Verse 21, for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain, but if I live on in the flesh this will mean fruit from our labor, yet one I shall choose I cannot tell. For I'm hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is forbidden, nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you, and being confident of this that I'll remain in the flesh. I know that I shall remain and continue with you, with you all, for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. And so, yeah, we it's an interesting section from verse 21 through 26 and let's just analyze it slowly one by one. Verse 21, for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. So if I continue to live in this flesh, I, Paul, say I'm able to preach more and also personally I'm able to grow more as a person.

So for me to live is Christ. I live for Christ. I'll do Christ's work. I will grow spiritually, but I'll be able to preach the gospel about Christ and good news about the of the kingdom of God and what Christ has done as part of bringing about the kingdom of God. I will be able to do that. So if I continue to live, I'll be able to do that and to die is gain. Some commentaries mention that it could, the Greek expression, could have been translated as, but to have died. In other words, the consequences of dying, the state after death, ultimately after death, to have died, in other words, to die or to have died, is ultimately gain.

Why? Because then it's like you've already made it. You're guaranteed to ultimately be in the presence of Christ and of God and as we understand, of course, at the resurrection and therefore that would be gain. That would be gain. So that's what he's saying here in verse 21. Now in verse 22, it says, but if I live on in the flesh, in other words, if I continue living in this physical body, this will mean fruit from my labor. In other words, that means there'll be fruit from my work, my labor, my preaching. More people will grow. There will be more understanding of the truth.

Churches will be established. In other words, it'll mean fruit from my labor. There would be fruit.

Paul was working and was producing fruit and you would keep doing it. Yet what I shall choose, I cannot tell. But on the other side, he's saying, I'm not... if it was asked of me, what is it that I would want, I can't tell. I don't know which one I would say I prefer to die or live. In other words, I'm okay with either. If God wants me to die now, that's what Paul's saying, okay, then quote-unquote, I've made it. I just have to wait for the resurrection.

And that's it. If God wants me to continue living and to serve him and preach the gospel and serve the churches, great! I'm happy to do that. So whatever God's will is, that's what he's saying, let it be.

For me, it's okay one way or the other. That's why he says, what I shall choose, I cannot help. I'll leave it in God's hands.

Now verse 23, and this is probably the verse that some people see it as problematic, particularly those in the world that believe that once you die, you've got an immortal soul and you either go to heaven or hell, and they kind of use that concept. But if you have that concept as a background in your mind, and obviously you could reach that conclusion, but is that what Paul believed? Is that what Paul preached?

Of course, it isn't, and we're going to look at it. But let's read now verse 23. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be of Christ, which is far better, nevertheless to remain in the flesh, is more needful to you. Verse 24. So yes, if I'm looking at myself, hey, if I die, I've made it, that's it.

So hey, what a blessing! I've made it and I'm there. But for you to serve the Church is more needful for you. The word desire to depart, some people say, it's kind of related like a boat leaving a port and therefore a desire to depart. When a boat is ready for a trip, it's like, for instance, when you're ready for a trip, I'm going on a trip, and you've done all the preparations for the trip, then you say, hey, let's now, you know, get going. It's like, for instance, you pack, you got all ready to go to the feast, then you have that desire to depart and go to the feast. So that could be the term desire to depart, a context where that term comes from. The other context that some people use or say that could be that desire to depart is related to pack up a tent and go. So for instance, you've been at the campout, you had your tent, the campout is coming to an end, now you just want to pack up the tent and go. So and because he was a tent maker, some people may say, well, maybe it was of that intent or with that background in his mind that he wrote that expression desire to depart. But whichever, it's applicable, and then he says continuing here, for I'm more impressed between the two. That means, he's like between two opinions and saying, well, it could be this or it could be that, but he says adding a desire to depart and being with Christ is far better. Now being with Christ, what does it mean by that? And so the question is, what did Paul believe when one dies, what happens? So did he believe that when he would die, he would be immediately that split second, quote unquote, go and be with Christ? No, because we know and he knew that when we die, there's no consciousness of time lapse. It's like a deep sleep. And so it could be a thousand years past, and you don't know because you're asleep. So, you know, it's like sometimes you have such a deep sleep that you wake up and say, oh, it feels like you haven't even gone to sleep. It's just it's been such a profound, good, deep sleep. And death will be like that. It'll be such a profound sleep that you don't want it doesn't even know that a thousand years or whatever period of time would have gone by. And what scriptures can we use to to back up that and also back up that that when you die, you're dead? Well, a good one. Let's start. I'm going to quote a few.

The first one would be John chapter 3 verse 13. John chapter 3 verse 13. And yeah, we have Christ saying, no man has ascended to heaven. Let's read. Yeah, when yeah, he's in a section where Christ is talking to Nicodemus about being born from above or or begotten from above.

And then in that discussion, it says here in verse 13, no one has ascended to heaven, but he who came down from heaven that he's the Son of Man, which means, you know, Moses hasn't gone to heaven. Abraham hasn't gone to heaven. No man has gone to heaven. Okay.

No one is but he who came down from heaven that he's the Son of Man. And so now, obviously, Christ is now in heaven, but no one has done that but Christ. The other two important scriptures that we have, which most of us probably remember them just off by heart, the first one is 1 Corinthians 15, which is the resurrection chapter. And particularly verses 51 and 52 says, Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, so Yah is the analogy of sleeping, but we shall all be changed. We will all be transformed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the lost trumpet. So at the lost trumpet, this is the lost prophetic trumpet of the book of Revelation, that lost, which is when Christ will come. It says, For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible. They will be sleeping, and others will be raised incorruptible. They'll be awake, and we will be changed. We will be transformed like a metamorphosis changed from the type of physical body we are to a spiritual body. And so that will be at Christ's coming, at the lost trumpet. Another scripture that goes with that, that we all quite often mention and make reference of, is in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. So let's go there at 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. And the key scripture, Yah, is in verse 15, that it says, For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain, will, until the coming of the Lord, will by no means proceed those who are asleep. So death is asleep. Paul understood very clearly that death was state of sleeping. And then he says, we who are alive will not proceed, though. So those that are sleeping will resurrect, and then we will then be changed. That's why he says in verse 15, For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice, an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And as we saw in 1 Corinthians 15, that will be the seventh trumpet, and the dead in Christ will rise first. So Paul knew very well about the resurrection. Paul knew very well about that death was a state of sleeping, in other words, in which there's no consciousness of time lapse.

And so he knew that very well. Another few very important scriptures is 2 Timothy chapter 4.

Second Timothy chapter 4 verse 8. This is also quite an important scripture, because he said, finally, this is Paul writing to Timothy, Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day.

In other words, he knew you would die, but he would only receive that reward, that crown of righteousness on that day. He says, and not to me only, but also to all who are, who have loved, he's appearing. And so, so it's not to me alone, but it will be on that day. So Paul knew very well that he would not receive life, he would not be changed to spirit being, he would not receive eternal life until the resurrection. Also in Revelation 22 verse 12, Revelation 22 verse 12, he says, and behold, I'm coming. That's Christ speaking. I'm coming quickly, and my reward is with me, says Christ, to give to everyone according to his work. And so it is at Christ's coming that that reward will be granted. And last, but not least, a very important scripture for us to remember as well, is the 5th chapter, Hebrews chapter 11, right towards the end of Hebrews chapter 11. So let me just get to it. Hebrews chapter 11, Hebrews chapter 11 verse 39 and 40. Hebrews chapter 11, verse 39 and all these. So he's talking about people that died in the faith, and he's talking therefore about the patriarchs, about Abraham, and he's talking about Moses, and he says, and all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise. God having provided something better for us that they should not be made perfect apart from us. That is a real clincher that Hebrews 11 and 39 and 40. They will not be made perfect apart from us. So they're still waiting.

They're still waiting. They have not received the promise yet. They will receive with us when at Christ's coming. So Paul knew very well, as we read here verse 23 and 24, he knew very well that for him to be of Christ meant that yes, he would die, and yes, he would be asleep, and yes, he would resurrect at Christ's second coming. He knew that very well. So again, every time you say something, you don't have to fully expound every detail what you're saying. And so Paul is not expounding every detail about the understanding because we get it from other scriptures. But he's saying, you know, I'm hard pressed between the two, verse 23. You know, I'm okay. I'm okay to die. I'm okay. I'm ready to get that reward. And therefore, which is far better for me, but, he says, verse 24, to remain alive in the flesh and to serve you brethren and to be doing the work at this time is more needful for you.

And so in verse 25, he says, and therefore being confident of this. And so Yah is what I mentioned earlier, that he was confident that that he would remain alive and he will come out of jail, and he would be an encouragement to the Philippian brethren, because he says, and being confident of this, I know that I shall remain, it was I shall remain alive and continue with you all for your progress and your faith. And so it will be an opportunity for you all to grow in the faith that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Christ Jesus by my coming to you again.

And so he was understanding that he was not going to try to hang on to physical life. His concern was the brethren's, and the brethren would rejoice to see him again. Now verse 27, only, only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ so that whether I come to see you or am absent, I may hear your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. And so Paul says, the important thing is watch your conduct. Let's watch how we live, how we conduct ourselves so that we live in a way that it's worthy of the gospel of Christ. And this ties in with the concept of citizens with special privileges. As I mentioned in the previous study and the introduction to the book of Philippians, there were some Philippian citizens that had special Roman privileges in Philippi, and so they understood what it meant that those people, those so-called Roman citizens that had special privileges in Philippi, it would be appropriate for them to have a proper conduct related to the benefits they were having. Likewise, we need to walk worthy of the gospel and what the gospel stands for, because the gospel stands for that we're going to be rulers with Christ in the kingdom of God. We are acting therefore, or rather are we acting therefore, as an example and a light of that future responsibility that you and I will have in the kingdom of God. And so let us be careful that our conduct, our walk is worthy of that great hope that we have to rule in the kingdom of God. And furthermore, he says that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

And this gets back to unity, the theme of this epistle, unity in Christ. And so Paul wanted them to be fast in one spirit, in one mind. Obviously, in other words, being on one mind with the help of God's Holy Spirit, striving together for the faith. And Reverend, we all go through trials and difficulties, and we all have to strive together for the faith of the gospel. And he has a hint that they were striving, they were struggling, they had challenges, they had sufferings in the area of Philippi, because they had to strive with one mind with the help of God's Holy Spirit. In verse 28, he says, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries.

You see, so they did have in Philippi opposition, adversaries. They were going through certain trials, and don't be terrified by those that are against you, by those threats or whatever they may be. So, it does definitely appear there was some persecution happening in Philippi. And then therefore he says, by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition. By they contending against you, by they pushing against the truth, it's only kind of rushing on, let's call it, their own perdition. But to you and us, but to us, it shows that we are on the right way, that we are living the correct way. So, reading it again, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation. But to us, it's a proof of salvation, and that from God, because we are being faithful. It's a proof of salvation. Now, verse 29, for to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. You see, it's been granted for us to suffer for Christ's sake. We don't just believe, but we also suffer for Christ's sake. Think about scriptures like in Corossians 1 verse 24, where Paul says that His sufferings fill up Christ's sufferings in His body. We likewise, our sufferings are part of that responsibility. We read in Romans as well, if we suffer with Him, we'll be glorified with Him. So, it is through suffering that we'll enter into the kingdom. And Christ is our I Priest. He had to suffer. He suffered a very terrible, painful death, and He is empathetic and understanding when you and I suffer.

And verse 30, having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now here is in me.

And so, you're having the same conflict which you saw in me. What it means, you, they saw in Him.

What conflict? If you read Acts 16 verse 16 through 24, when you see the story about the Philippian crowd that took Paul and Silas to the magistrate, and then they beat them with many stripes and put them in jail. And then you know the story about the Philippian jailer, how Paul was freed. And so, He says having the same conflict. In other words, He has the same conflict now by Paul being in jail in Rome, which you saw in me, and now here is in me. So, so you saw how I had that conflict when I was in jail, then for the pie. I'm now in jail, and you have certain conflicts, you have certain trials, certain difficulties by your adversaries.

So, the people in Philippi, they were going through some suffering, some trials, we don't know which ones were they. And it's not because they did evil, but they suffered for Christ as Paul did, and just as Paul was currently suffering. So, the point is, through this, Paul is showing them a lot of hope and a lot of encouragement, because God will give everybody the same loving kindness, just like He did to Paul. And whoever is going to be persecuted, who is being persecuted for Christ's name, will be greatly honored by His Creator. So, yeah, we can see Paul giving another large encouragement to the Philippian brethren.