Week of January 14, 2024
Journey in Community
Many commentators on this letter to the Philippians believe that Paul’s concern for unity in the church community is a central reason for writing this letter. As evidenced in 4:1, Paul has a special affection for these believers. They are important to him and they are important to one another. Thus Paul celebrates his partnership with the Philippian community and urges them to overcome their differences so that they can stand strong together.
January 15 | Philippians 1:3-5, 7-8
The key word in these verses is koinania. It’s the Greek word for a close sharing together of life and service. It is often translated as fellowship or communion, here as a partnership or a sharing in Gospel mission and life in Christ. Paul uses the word to describe the close bond with the Christians in Philippi who partnered with him by sending Epaphroditus to support Paul while he was in prison. More than that, together they sought to bear witness to Jesus no matter opposition or persecution. Who are your partners in following Jesus? Who do you have in your heart and they have you in their hearts (v.7)? How can you develop even more life-giving partnerships in 2024?
January 16 | Philippians 1:27-30
Although often translations of v.27 hide the underlying language, here we run across again the importance of living as citizens of Jesus’ eternal kingdom. The New Living Translation captures it: “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Philippians 1:27, NLT) Lynn Cohick explains the verb used only this once in Paul’s writings and another time in one of his speeches in Acts: “We turn now to analyze politeuesthe. The root of the term is related to polis, the Greek term for “city.” The verb signals a person’s actions in the polis, namely, being a citizen. Combining these elements, it suggests living one’s life especially as it relates to public or civic affairs. This verb also occurs in Acts 23:1 in Paul’s defense of his behavior: “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience.” The related noun politeia, used in Acts 22:28 and Ephesians 2:12, indicates citizenship, the body politic, or civil polity. A second noun, politeuma, used in Philippians 3:20, has the sense of commonwealth status and often describes a group of foreigners within a city. It also can indicate the business of government.”
Dr. Cohick continues … By this Paul is likely calling his readers either to stand firm against the non-Christian leaders in Phillipi or against those within the church calling for circumcision (see January 10). “Paul could be suggesting a dual allegiance, where Philippians carry out their civic duties, but set their hearts beyond the kingdom of Rome to the kingdom of God.” (Lynn H. Cohick, Philippians, 69.) In any case, they can accomplish this only by “standing together with one spirit and one purpose.” (v.27 NLT)
Why was it so crucial for those first Christians to stand together? In what ways do we still need each other in today’s American church? What are a good number of professing Christians missing when they think they don’t need a Christian community?
January 17 | Philippians 2:1-4
But standing together isn’t always easy. We suspect that the Christians in Philippi had various conflicts including one Paul speaks to directly (see tomorrow’s reading). What motivates and empowers unity (2:1)? What is the goal of that unity (2:2)? How do we live to develop and maintain unity (2:3-4)? Given that we are all individuals with different opinions, what does it mean for the people of Peace to be of “one mind”?
January 18 | Philippians 4:1-3
Here Paul specifically addresses the conflict between two women, Euodia and Syntyche. We aren’t told what the issue was but Paul urges them to be of the “same mind.” The fact that they are mentioned by name suggests that they were important servant-leaders in the Philippian church. It could be, for example, that they represented different house churches meeting in the city. Why is it especially important for church leaders to be of one mind? What are typical areas of disagreement within churches? How can churches and individual Christians best deal with differences and pursue unity?
January 19 | Philippians 4:21-23
Unity is difficult enough in an individual church. But Paul sees a bond that connected those first generations of Christians across great distances and ethnic divides. As evidenced by his reference to the “emperor’s household,” likely Paul was in prison in Rome. This was typically a 4-6 week journey from Philippi (at best). But they were all saints together in Jesus, partners in the Gospel! What does it mean that you and your fellow Christians are saints? What is our bond (if any) between saints in Eau Claire and saints in Africa or Asia? How can we live out our partnership in the Gospel on a regional and global basis?
