Malcolm Webber
The overarching theme of this letter is true giving. The one who truly gives is the true servant. Connected with this main theme are many sub-themes.
- The source. True servanthood, true giving comes from inward union with the life of Christ and genuine love for His people.
- The inward life of Christ is the Source of all Christian character and fruitfulness. Jesus is the Example (2:5-11) and the Source of sacrifice, of giving, of servanthood (1:8, 11, 21; 2:1,[1] 13; 3:7-11; 4:13[2]).
- True giving comes from and with affection. Philippians is perhaps Paul’s most personal and warm letter to the various churches. He had a close and genuine friendship with the believers in this city (cf. 2 Cor. 8:1-5). Throughout the letter, Paul’s deep affection for the Philippians is evident (1:4, 7-8; 2:12, 20, 25; 3:18; 4:1[3]).
- The nature. True giving is not only of one’s money, but primarily of one’s life.
- Gratitude for the Philippians’ financial support of Paul is the primary occasion for the letter (1:5; 2:25[4]; 4:10-16). That theme of financial giving quickly becomes a broader theme of self-giving, true giving, throughout the book.
- True ministry is characterized by self-giving love, as seen in the examples of Paul (1:21-26; 2:17[5]), Timothy (2:20-22) and Epaphroditus (2:25-30).
- A pervasive theme of this letter, sacrifice (self-giving) is necessary to maintain unity between the saints (1:27; 2:1-14[6]), to nurture the church as it grows to maturity (1:23-25; 2:17, 30), to stand for the true faith of the Gospel in the face of opposition (1:14, 27), to spread the Gospel to the unreached (4:10-19) and to know eternal union with Christ (3:7-11).
- The purpose. The purpose of true giving is the salvation of the lost and the building of the Body of Christ into maturity and unity, to the glory of God.
- A central purpose in the book is Paul’s exhortation to unity, probably in the face of both internal and external factors (Phil. 1:27[7]; 2:1-4). Church unity is not the result of merely human effort, but it is the expression of the eternal self-giving love of the Godhead. An exhortation to unity lies behind the description of Jesus in 2:5-11 as well as its application in 2:12-16. In 4:2, Paul gives specific instructions to two leaders “to agree with each other in the Lord.” While we do not know the exact nature of the disagreements in the church, three things are clear. First, lying behind the unrest is some form of “selfish ambition” and “vain conceit” (2:3). Thus, Paul exhorts them to, like Christ did in His Incarnation, look out for the interests of others (2:3-5). He also uses Timothy – who was well known by the Philippians – as an example of this self-giving humility (2:19-21). Second, the disunity is a budding one – it has not yet led to open division (in contrast with the Corinthians: 1 Cor. 1:10-12; 3:3-4). In the Philippian church “complaining” and “arguing” are occurring (Phil. 2:14); if these are left unchecked, they will lead to destructive division. Third, there are clearly some outside influences that might also contribute to the internal unrest (3:2-3, 17-19).
- The result of true giving is spiritual impact in the world. From the inward life of Christ in us, those around us are impacted by Truth (1:12-14; 2:14-16[8]).
- God’s ultimate purpose for our true giving is His own glory. Paul liberally sprinkles the theme of eternal glory throughout his exhortations to his Philippian friends (1:6,[9] 10; 3:7-11, 20-21). He is confident that the believers will work through their difficulties and stand before God on the Last Day “pure and blameless” (1:6, 10).
- The endurance. True giving endures with joy, from God’s Presence, in the face of opposition and suffering.
- True giving must endure opposition and suffering. The believers at Philippi are suffering as the result of opposition (1:27-30[10]). Paul also is suffering: at the hands of the world (1:13) as well as because of false brethren (1:17). Thus, Paul teaches that it is the believer’s privilege to suffer on behalf of Christ (1:29). Moreover, it is through these sufferings that we will ultimately experience greater glory in deeper union with Christ (3:10-11). Significantly, this letter was written just a few years before Nero’s fierce pogrom against Christians broke out in Rome.
- True giving is with joy. In the face of opposition and suffering, this letter is full of deep and genuine joy (1:4; 3:1; 4:4,[11] 10). This is not just human happiness, but it is the expression of inward divine life that gives oneself sacrificially for the good of others – this is the source and power of true divine joy (cf. Heb. 12:2[12]).
These are his beloved friends, and, unable to personally visit them at this time, Paul writes this letter to exhort them to humility, sacrifice, unity and the pursuit of God’s highest purposes.
Get your copy of True Giving here. To purchase more of our books, visit https://www.strategicpress.org/.
[1] If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, (Phil. 2:1)
[2] I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)
[3] Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! (Phil. 4:1)
[4] But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. (Phil. 2:25)
[5] But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. (Phil. 2:17)
[6] Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phil. 2:4)
[7] Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the Gospel. (Phil. 1:27)
[8] Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. (Phil. 2:14-16)
[9] 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. (Phil. 1:6)
[10] For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him, (Phil. 1:29)
[11] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)
[12] Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2)