Paul's Desire for the Church

Notes

1. From the preceding lessons we have learned of the establishment of the church at Philippi. The epistle written to them makes known to us when and why it was written. It was when Paul was a prisoner at Rome. A peculiar bond of sympathy existed between Paul and the Philippian brethren, because they had been partakers in the same afflictions which Paul suffered in bringing the gospel to them (Phil. 1:28-30), and because they alone had attended to his physical necessities (Phil. 4:15). So when they heard that Paul was in prison in Rome, they sent Epaphroditus, a prominent member of the church, with things necessary to Paul's comfort. While in Rome, Epaphroditus had labored beyond his strength in assisting and caring for Paul, and had been sick, so that he was near to death. See Phil. 4:18; 2:25, 26. It was by him, after his recovery, that Paul sent his letter to the Philippians, which is remarkable for the spirit of love and tenderness that breathes through it.

2. In this epistle Paul associates Timothy with himself. It will be noticed that in the salutation of nearly all of Paul's epistles, someone is associated with him. But it is only in the salutation. It does not indicate that those mentioned had any share in writing the epistle, but simply that they joined in the greeting to the brethren. The body of the epistle is Paul's alone.

3. In the Bible, the words "bishop" and "elder" are synonymous. See Titus 1:5-7, where both words are used. The word "bishop" is from a Greek word signifying to look over, to stand guard as a sentinel. It is in the sense that the word "overseers" is used in Acts 20:28, where we read that Paul told the elders of Ephesus to take heed to the flock over which the Holy Spirit had made them overseers. The idea of being overseers of the flock suggests shepherds; and in 1 Peter 5:1-4 we find that the elders are called under-shepherds, Christ being the Chief Shepherd. An elder who realizes that his duties are those of a shepherd will know that harshness and severity are not to be among his characteristics.

4. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." What was the ground of Paul's confidence in this matter? The fact that the good work had been begun by the Lord. "Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it." See 1 Thess. 5:23, 24. A work that is begun by man, that rests upon human power, will surely come to naught, no matter how good an appearance it presents for a season. Christ is the only sure foundation. He is able to complete everything that he begins; and this thought, coupled with the fact of his willingness, as shown in his beginning the work, should beget the same confidence in all who have given themselves to him.

5. The word "sincere" means pure, clear, unmixed. The Greek word from which it is translated has the signification of tested by the sun, as the sun shining through a substance is the test of whether or not it is pure, or has an admixture of some foreign substance. A Christian who is sincere, is unalloyed. He has not two purposes, but is of a single mind, and transmits to those around him all the light that he receives from God.