January 21, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Philippians Chapter 1

¹ Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

² Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

⁴ Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

⁵ For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

⁶ 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:

⁷ Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

⁸ For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

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.

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.

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 defence of the gospel.

¹⁸ What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

¹⁹ For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

²⁰ According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

²² But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

²³ For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

²⁴ Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

²⁵ And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

²⁶ That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

²⁸ And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

²⁹ For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

³⁰ Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction

The Epistle to the Philippians begins with a heartfelt introduction from Paul and Timothy to the church in Philippi. Paul expresses his deep gratitude and love for the believers and emphasizes their faithful fellowship in the Gospel. Despite his imprisonment, Paul writes with joy and encouragement. He highlights that God’s work in the believers has not only begun but will also be completed. This chapter lays the foundation for the central message of the entire letter: joy and steadfastness in faith, even in times of trouble.

Commentary

Verses 1-11: Gratitude and Intercession
Paul begins with a loving greeting and imparts grace and peace. His gratitude for the church is evident in his continuous prayers. The Philippians have supported him in his ministry from the very beginning, which brings Paul great joy. Notably, he trusts that God will complete the work He has started in the believers. Paul prays that their love may continue to grow and that they may be filled with wisdom and discernment to lead a pure life worthy of honoring God.

Verses 12-18: Paul’s Imprisonment Serves the Gospel
Paul explains that his imprisonment is contributing to the spread of the Gospel. His chains have even attracted attention in the imperial palace, encouraging many believers to boldly proclaim the Gospel. He acknowledges that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, while others do so out of goodwill. However, for Paul, what matters is that Christ is being proclaimed, which brings him heartfelt joy.

Verses 19-26: Living and Dying for Christ
Paul demonstrates deep confidence that his situation will lead to his deliverance through the prayers of the church and the help of the Holy Spirit. His famous confession, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (v. 21), underscores his total dedication to Christ. He oscillates between the desire to be with Christ and the responsibility to continue serving the church. Ultimately, he recognizes that it is better for the Philippians that he remains alive to strengthen them in their faith.

Verses 27-30: Exhortation to Steadfastness
Paul encourages the Philippians to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel, maintaining unity and dignity. They are to strive together for the faith and not be intimidated by opponents. Suffering for Christ, Paul sees not as defeat but as an honor and participation in Christ’s suffering path. He reminds the church that they are engaged in the same spiritual battle as he is.

Summary

Philippians Chapter 1 is a passionate expression of Paul’s gratitude, joy, and confidence. Despite his imprisonment, Paul shows unwavering trust in God’s work and encourages the church to grow in love, unity, and steadfastness in faith. He views both life and death as gains: life as service to the church and death as union with Christ. Paul calls the Philippians to live worthy of the Gospel and to stand boldly for their faith, even if it entails suffering. The central message of the chapter is joy and confidence in Christ, regardless of external circumstances.

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | Steps to Christ
Chapter 1—God’s Love for Man
Read online here

Commentary

Introduction:

The first chapter of the book The Way to Christ powerfully depicts God’s immeasurable love for humanity. It shows how this love is made visible through nature, revelation, and especially through the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God is described as the source of life, joy, and truth, whose actions are always directed towards blessing and redeeming humanity. Even in a world marked by sin, His love remains visible, whether through the beauty of creation or through the redemptive work of Jesus, which clearly reveals God’s nature and His plan for salvation.

Commentary:

Chapter 1 offers a profound reflection on God’s love, which is evident throughout creation and in the redemption through Christ. A central theme is that God continues to love humanity despite their sin and strives to reconcile them with Himself. The depiction of nature as an expression of God’s care is particularly moving: every sunbeam, every flower petal, and every bird’s song is interpreted as a testimony to His immeasurable love. This reminds us that God’s care is not abstract, but tangible in every facet of life.

The chapter also addresses the dark reality of sin, which destroyed the world’s original state of perfection and freedom from suffering. Interestingly, the suffering that entered the world through sin is not portrayed as meaningless or arbitrary but as a tool that, within God’s salvation plan, serves an educational and restorative purpose. This perspective invites us to seek God’s intent even in difficult moments and to recognize that He does not abandon His children, even in suffering.

Another highlight of the chapter is the description of Jesus Christ as the perfect revelation of God’s love. Christ assumed human nature to show the world the true nature of God and to provide the way for human salvation. The chapter emphasizes that Jesus was not only a teacher or prophet but the living embodiment of divine love. His acts of healing, kindness to the weak, and willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice on the cross demonstrate the depth of God’s compassion and selflessness.

At the same time, an important misconception is addressed: Jesus’ sacrifice was not meant to move God to love or forgive humanity, but it was the result of His pre-existing love for humanity. John 3:16 is highlighted here as a central theme: God gave His Son because He loved the world. This truth not only forms the foundation of the Christian faith but also serves as a call for readers to be transformed by this love.

The chapter is not only a theological discourse but also an invitation to personal reflection. It encourages readers to contemplate the depth and breadth of God’s love and to respond by turning to Him in trust and gratitude. Particularly striking is the depiction of how, through Christ, people can become “children of God” — a calling that carries both dignity and a special responsibility.

Overall, Chapter 1 serves as an encouraging and inspiring introduction, connecting the reader to the central message of the Christian faith: God’s love is infinite, it seeks us, and it desires to draw us to Himself, regardless of our faults and weaknesses. This love is the path to true joy, peace, and hope.

Summary:

Chapter 1 of The Way to Christ describes God’s immeasurable love for humanity, which is revealed through nature, revelation, and the life of Jesus Christ. Creation reflects God’s care, and even the suffering that came into the world through sin is understood as part of His salvation plan. Through Jesus’ life and sacrifice, God’s nature is made visible — a nature full of compassion, selflessness, and a will to redeem. Christ not only revealed God’s love but also made it possible, through His death on the cross, for people to become “children of God.” The chapter invites readers to reflect on this love and find in a personal relationship with God the hope, joy, and salvation He offers.

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