The Strand Study Bible

Written From Rome During Paul’s First Roman Imprisonment PHILIPPIANS Church of Christ (began in America in 1906... COC is a break-off of the Disciples of Christ - Jn 4:24b and Eph 5:19 ) United Church of Religious Science (began in America in 1927 by Ernest S. Holmes... United Church of Religious Science is a break-off of Hinduism and Pantheism - Jn 4:24b ) Worldwide Church of God (began in America in 1933 by Herbert W. Armstrong) United Pentecostal (began in America in 1940’s... UP is a break-off of three earlier movements - Jn 4:24b and Eph 5:19 ) United Church of Christ (began in America in 1957... United Church of Christ a break-off of the Reformed and Congregational Churches - Jn 4:24b ) HouseofYahweh (began inAmerica in1980byYisraylHawkins... HY is a break-offof the WorldwideChurchofGod - Jn4:24b ) United Church of God (began in America in 1995... UCOG is a break-off of the Worldwide Church of God - Jn 4:24b ) Every Christian is called to defend the faith and to show the reasonableness and rationality of its revelation, as given in the Scriptures. C.S. Lewis in God in the Dock notes: As Christians we are tempted to make unnecessary concessions to those outside the Faith. We give in too much… We must show our Christian colors, if we are to be true to Jesus Christ. We cannot remain silent and concede everything away. 4 1:18 Paul said, “I love the body of Christ, even that part of the body that doesn’t love me.” John R. Rice in the Rice Reference Bible notes: 1981

It is important to notice that Paul rejoiced that the Gospel was preached, whether it was preached in sincerity or out of envy. We ought to thank God every time someone preaches the gospel and tries to lead people to Christ. Perhaps a preacher preaches the gospel, but stresses speaking in tongues, or sinless perfection, or another doctrine with which you cannot agree. If he preaches the gospel, praise the Lord and rejoice. 5

As believers, we need to put our “secondary differences,” i.e., our opinions concerning the Rapture ( Lk 17:27 ), standards ( Rom 14:1,22a and I Cor 6:12 ), tongues ( Mk 16:17a , Acts 2:3a,4,6,7,8,13a,17-18 & 10:44-46 & 19:6 , and I CORINTHIANS “MINI” SERIES), music ( Psa 47:7 and Eph 5:19 ), predestination ( Rom 8:29 and II Thes 2:13 ), eternal security ( Jn 10:28-29 , Mt 13:44- 45 , Gal 5:16-17,21 and II Tim 1:12 ), the gap in Genesis 1:2, etc., aside and unify in our effort to reach a lost and dying world with the Gospel of Christ. Brian Welch, former lead guitarist of the rock band Korn, became a Christian in 2005. In his book called Save Me From Myself he notes:

It must grieve God’s heart when he sees Christians fighting about whose doctrine is right; he doesn’t see denominations, he sees one big glorious bride. When Christians argue about doctrinal issues, all he sees is carnal people acting like children. 6

NOTE – What rejoiced Paul’s heart is what rejoices God’s heart –the salvation of men. This is why Jesus came into this world – to seek and to save that which was lost (Lk 19:10). Paul did not rejoice because there was faction among members within the body of Christ; he rejoiced because people were getting saved. What a church rejoices about tells you whether God rejoices with that church or not. 1:20 This word ( earnest expectation ) is the Greek word DSο κ DUD δ ο κ LDQ ( apokaradokian ). It is a unique word. It describes straining one’s neck to catch a glimpse of something that is ahead. This word was used by Paul in only one other passage (Rom 8:19). Paul’s concern ( According to my earnest expectation and my hope ) here was not what would happen to him but what testimony he would leave behind for his Lord ( that in nothing I shall be ashamed ). 1:23a This word ( depart ) is the Greek word DQDOXσDL ( analusai ) and means “ to unloose or undo; to depart and to leave your mark .” Analusai is used 3 times in the NT (II Tim 4:6,Phil 1:23 and Lk 12:36). It is the word that was used for the pulling up of the anchor and sailing, or the freeing of an animal of its burden, or for the breaking up of a camp by Roman legions. Whenever the Roman army would set up camp, they would form a barrier of brush ten to twelve feet high around the perimeter of their encampment. Then, when the army departed, they would leave their improvised fortification behind as a mute reminder that they had been there. Question: As a Christian, what kind of testimony will you leave behind to remind people that you’ve been here? What kind of “mark” are you going to leave when you depart? Will your life still speak after you’re gone (Heb 1:4)? 1:23b This word ( far ) comes from two Greek words: SοOOZ ( pollo ) PDOOοQ ( mallon ) and means, “ much (pollo) more (mallon)” than better . To Paul, going to Heaven was “far more advantageous” than staying here. 1:24 People were always better off “spiritually” when Paul was around ( to abide in the flesh is more needful for you ). Why? Because Paul had the eternal perspective ( II Cor 4:18 ). You will know when you’ve got the eternal perspective –people are better off “spiritually” when you’re around. If we’re not here to “better” people spiritually, then we don’t have the eternal perspective.

1 Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words . Old Tappan, NJ, Fleming H. Revell Co., 1940. Print. 2 Mattoon, Rod. Treasures From Philippians , Springfield, ILL, Lincoln Land Baptist Church Pub., 2004. Print. 3 Frame, John. Apologetics to the Glory of God . Phillipsburg, NJ, P&R Pub. 1973. Print. 4 Lewis, C. S. God in the Dock , Grand Rapids, MI, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1994. Print. 5 Rice, John R. Rice Reference Bible , Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson Pub. 1981. Print. 6 Welch, Brian. Save Me From Myself . New York: Harper One. 2007. Print.