Joy in Prayer • Philippians 1:1-11
By Don Hicks
The Apostle Paul uses a fairly consistent pattern in the letters he wrote. He used the pattern for his four Prison Epistles, which were obviously written during his imprisonments for spreading the Gospel and starting churches.
This quarter we’re going to study three of the Prison Epistles: Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Each letter begins with a salutation which first identifies who wrote the letter. Anyone who uses text messaging or e-mail today (and who doesn’t) has probably gotten spoiled to the advantages of knowing the author before reading the text.
Paul tells us that the letter we know today as the Bible’s Book of Philippians is from “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:1a CSB). The readers in Philippi definitely knew who Paul was. He was the Christian missionary who planted their church.
Paul had gone to Philippi in direct response to God’s call to go to Macedonia in 51 AD. The account of Paul’s call is found in Acts 16:9-10. Bible writer Luke tells that that, “During the night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, ‘Cross over to Macedonia and help us!’ After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:9-10 CSB).
Paul’s immediate response to the Macedonian Call led to the first Christian church in Europe. Most of us have heard the Gospel and had a chance to accept it because Paul went to Philippi when God called. He had a great appreciation for those Christians in Philippi and their deep commitment to Christ and his church.
Paul writes of this appreciation in verses three and four: “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer” (Philippians 1:3-4 CSB).
Paul had a very positive, loving relationship with the Philippian church. He said this positive relationship was “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5 CSB).
Because this positive relationship was continuous, Paul was able to write to the church without having to correct them as often happened his other 12 letters to churches. This kind, loving relationship with the Philippian church explains today’s lesson title, “Joy in Prayer.”
The other person listed in verse one as being with Paul was Timothy. This gives another clue about the details of Paul’s imprisonments. Paul was living in a house he rented in Rome. He was a prisoner chained to a Roman guard but could have guests.
Apparently, Timothy was present with him for an extended time. Paul identifies Timothy as a fellow servant of Christ Jesus. In a statement of intentional humility, Paul refers to himself as a fellow servant of Christ Jesus and does not emphasize his apostleship.
The Philippian church also brought joy to Paul because they sent Epaphroditus as a messenger to take care of Paul’s needs (see Philippians 2:25). Paul had to rent the house in which he lived but couldn’t earn money as a tent maker to pay the rent and meet other expenses. Epaphroditus apparently brought an offering to Paul so he could pay his rent, purchase food, and meet other expenses. Paul sent Epaphroditus back to thank the church for their help.
Paul also wanted to send Timothy to emphasize his gratitude and love. When he could send Timothy, he was going to ask Timothy to report back to him how well the church was doing. In verse six, Paul clearly expresses his confidence that God will continue to bless their efforts to grow in God’s service and blessing.
He writes it this way: “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 CSB). The “day of Christ Jesus” is the Day of Christ’s return and God’s final victory over sin.
We can join Paul and Timothy and “the overseers and deacons” in the joy of prayer when we gain the confidence Paul had in Christ’s final and total victory. There is also immediate victory as God advances the Gospel even in present day adversity. The lesson next week addresses the “Joy of Adversity.”
Hicks is missions director for Jasper Association in Bay Springs. He may be contacted at donaldwhicks@gmail.com.
