The Strand Study Bible

Written From Rome During Paul’s First Roman Imprisonment

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 - 1:26

1979

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; 6 and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my 7 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 8 boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, 9 whether it be by life, or by death. Paul’s desire - To be with CHRIST 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 10 desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Paul’s purpose - To further the joy of others 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.

The promise of CHRIST’S return (Rapture) (Fulfilled - Rev 4:1)

1. Eph 2:10 2. I Thess 5:24 3. Fulfilled - Rev 4:1 (Rapture) 4. Acts 28:16-31 & Eph 6:20 & Colo 4:3,18 & Phil 1:9- 10,23 5. Eph 2:10 6. Lk 9:49-50 7. or, “deliverance from jail” 8. Eph 6:19-20 9. Rom 14:8 10. II Cor 5:2,8-9

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good 1 work in you 2 will perform it until the 3 DAY OF JESUS CHRIST : P 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 4 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;thatyemaybesincereandwithout offence till the 3 DAY OF CHRIST ; P 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, 5 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 thatmy 4 bonds inChrist aremanifest 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. Regardless of the motive, if CHRIST was preached, Paul rejoiced 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

1:6 This word ( Being confident ) is the Greek word SHSοLθZ9 ( pepoithos ) and denotes “persuasion; assurance.” The Apostle Paul was confident that their salvation (as well as his own – II Tim 1:12 and Eph 1:13-14 & 4:30 ) was secure and that God was totally committed ( will perform it ) to working in them and through them until CHRIST returned. Paul understood what CHRIST ( Jn 10:28-29 and Mt 13:44-45 ), the author of Hebrews ( Heb 7:25 ), the Apostle John (I Jn 5:13), and David the psalmist ( Psa 37:28 ) all understood –what God begins, He finishes. NOTE - While it is true that some aspects of our salvation are yet to be accomplished (such as, receiving our new glorified bodies - Rom 8:18-23, I Jn 3:1-2 and Rom 13:11 ), there is no ground for doubt as to salvation’s ultimate completion. This word ( pepoithos ) is in the perfect tense in the Greek and signifies past completed action with present existing results. Meaning, the good work that God began the day that we were saved has its initiation in regeneration (past); has its continuation in sanctification (present); and will have its consummation in glorification (future). 1:10 This word ( sincere ) is the Greek word HLOLNULQHL9 ( eilikrineis ) and means “ tested by the sunlight. ” 1 Eilikrineis emphasizes our relationship with God and is used to denote moral and ethical purity. Rod Mattoon in Treasures From Philippians notes:

Ancient dealers of porcelain filled the cracks of damaged porcelain or pottery with wax. An honest dealer would describe a perfect piece with the words “sin cera” which means “without wax.” If the customer doubted the dealer’s integrity, he would sun-test the pottery by holding it up to the sun to reveal any cracks in the pot. So this word “sincere” suggests a pure or tested character, genuine, without hypocrisy or falsehood.” 2

Thus, to be an insincere believer was to be a “crackpot;” someone who would use “wax-laden” excuses for why they didn’t do what they were supposed to do and/or properly fix what they were supposed to fix (Mt 25:24-25 and Lk 19:22). Unhappily, none of our excuses will excuse us on that DAY ( II Cor 5:10-11 ).