“Paul and Timothy, servants of
Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the
overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:1-2 (English
standard version). The purpose for Paul writing the letter to the church in
Philippi has had many interpretations. While Paul himself in the letter asserts
reasons for writing these all can fall under one definition. Paul’s letter to
the church at Philippi returns time and again to a certain emphasis;
exhortation. Vine’s dictionary, a
dictionary for Old and New Testament words, defines exhort/exhortation as such,
“‘to admonish, exhort, too urge’ one to pursue some course of conduct… ‘to
recommend’… to encourage… ‘a calling to one’s side,’ and so ‘to one’s aid,’…” (Unger,
1984). These various meanings take place throughout Paul’s letter to the
Philippians.
“… he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (New international version). Here is the
encouragement spoken of above. Paul is encouraged himself by the partnership of
this church with him from the beginning until that point. The new bible commentary TNBC (1953) reports, “His writing was also
an opportunity to encourage…” TNBC is a work which has been compiled and edited
over the years by various scholars. Their stated purpose is to present the most
concise and condensed version of a commentary without omitting worthwhile
content. Here they have found it necessary to inform that this letter,
Philippians, is written in part to encourage.
“The main reason for the letter… was
Paul's need to give some pastoral advice.” In Exploring the new testament (Marshall, 2002) the authors, like
those of TNBC found the most concise way to point out pertinent information
about the letter to the Philippians. Here they express that Paul needed to give
pastoral advice. Like in the definition above, advice is a part of exhortation.
What are some other ways Paul exhorted the Philippians?
“… then make my joy complete by
being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves,” Philippians 2:2-3
(NIV). Paul is not daunted
with how to exhort the church. He addresses things as he sees them. Here he is
pointing to how they may be of different mindsets amongst themselves, or
perhaps they are of one mind together, but separate from that of Paul’s mind.
Either way he does not want them to continue in this fashion, but to be of one
mind, and that being not of selfish ambition. Zondervan’s handbook for the bible (1973) observes, “And what he
had heard about them made him long to encourage and advise.” What had he heard?
From what Paul discusses they heard of Epaphroditus being ill to the point of
death, but being spared by the grace of God, as Paul says. In addition to that
they knew Paul was in need, and Paul mentions being torn between leaving to be
with God, and staying to continue the work of the Gospel. Their reaction to
these circumstances may be the cause of his letter and need to communicate with
them, and encourage them. “… To
encourage the readers to rejoice always in the lord.” (Geisler, 2007). This is
how the author of A popular survey of the
new testament understands it. As Paul exhorts, his focus is on rejoicing
and joy, these occur fourteen times throughout the letter. For a man who has
suffered so much because of the Gospel this seems an odd recommendation. But
this is the basis of Christian life. Paul rejoices if he is to be poured out
like a drink offering. Why? Because of what it produces in the church.
“There is a reason why Paul, near
the end of his long, seasoned ministry, stressed
to
ministers to remain patient with those to whom they taught, encouraged, and
exhorted.
He
said, ‘Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke,
exhort,
with all longsuffering and teaching’ (2 Tim 4:2, emphasis added).” (Gutierrez,
2013). The author goes on to speak of why it is important. She speaks of how
“people are ‘in process’” and the people of God should be patient while
ministering to others. Why does Paul feel the need to exhort a church who by
his own account is doing well, and is a blessing to him? As Paul did with many
if not all of the churches he oversaw Paul was insuring that this church was
not wondering off from the teachings of Christ. Groups were being formed for
good, but turned into places that excluded those who do not fit the criteria.
As at other times Paul addresses circumcision. This was one of the main issues
of the time. Often children need to be
reminded how to behave, and the church, as Paul’s spiritual children, needed to
be reminded of how it ought to conduct itself.
Paul was not just about advising and
correcting. He was also very thankful. Liebengood, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies
and Director of the Center for Global Service Learning at LeTourneau University
claims, “For Paul, the partnership to which he calls the Philippians clearly
involves financial giving: towards the end of the letter he commends the
Philippians for their faithful giving to his ministry (4:15-16).” (Liebengood,
2015). This is not something Paul is frequently able to do, especially
involving finances. He exhorts them for their giving. While he is very thankful
for the Philippian church partnering with him in this way, his advice is not
changed or adulterated by it – Paul still addresses the issues he sees and
hears of going on in the church at Philippi.
“In this friendship letter, he
exhorts the Philippians to stand firm in the face of external opposition and
warns them against internal fighting.” (Duvall, 2001). In short, to exhort the
church is not an easy task. It involves skill and tact. Paul was not afraid to
speak harshly if the situation merited it, as can be seen in Galatians 5:12 “As
for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate
themselves!” This is harsh. But Paul does not need a heavy hand here. As he
says, “… It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it
is a safeguard for you.” (Philippians 3:1). He knows what he needs to say, and
living by the guidance of the Holy Spirit he is capable of doing as he has been
called to do – exhort the church. Philippians is a great example of what it is
to exhort the church. From the start to the finish the words of Paul are
impactful and purposeful, just as his life was, and is today. “The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (Philippians 4:23).
References
Alexander,
D., & Alexander, P., (1973). Zondervan Handbook to the Bible (3rd
ed.). Oxford,
Lion Publishing plc.
Carson,
D. A., France, R. T., Motyer, J. A., &Wenham, G. J., (Eds). (1953). The New Bible
Commentary (21st Century ed.).
Nottingham, InterVarsity Press.
Duvall,
J. S., & Hays, J. D. (2001). Grasping God’s Word: A hands-on approach to
reading,
interpreting, and applying the Bible (3rd
ed.). Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
Geisler,
N. L., (2007). A Popular Survey of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Baker
Publishing Group.
Gutierrez,
T. L., (2013). An Expositional Study of
the Letter to the
Philippians
with Specific Application to Christian Women Serving Vocationally or
Voluntarily
in Local Church Ministry. Retrieved
April 3, 2016 from
Liebengood, K. D., (2015). Paul’s Expectations
of Generosity. Institute for Faith and
Learning at Baylor University. Retrieved
April 3, 2016 from
Marshall, H., Paul, I., & Travis, S.,
(2002). Exploring the New Testament:
Volume
Two (2nd ed.). Downers Grove,
InterVarsity Press.
Philippians photo, retrieved April 30, 2016 from http://www.heartlandworship.com/sermons/sermon/2013-04-14/philippians:-destiny
Unger,
M. F., Vine, W. E., & White, Jr., W., (1984). Vine’s Complete Expository
Dictionary of
Old and New Testament Words. Nashville,
Tomas Nelson Inc.
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