This episode looks at Philippians 1:7, “For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God’s grace together with me.” Paul further explains his grounds for calling them participants in the gospel and for his confidence that God is at work in them. Our deep affection for fellow Christians and our fellow suffering for the gospel identifies us together with those who are united with Christ.
This episode looks at Philippians 1:6, “For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” When God starts a good work, he always finishes it. What sweet comfort for us.
This episode looks at Philippians 1:5, “because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” Paul is overflowing with joy and thanks because of the immediate and persevering partnership of the Philippians in the gospel. We should have a similar thankfulness for our partners in the gospel in ministry, church, and family.
This episode looks at Philippians 1:4, “I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you.” Thanksgiving and joy walk hand in hand. May it be so in our lives, and it may it prove to be a self-reinforcing cycle: thanks increases joy and joy prompts us to give thanks.
This episode looks at Philippians 1:3, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Paul thanks God for how the Philippians have come to his aid. May we do the same, and may we also be the ones who bring the aid so that thanksgiving to God will multiply.
This episode looks at Philippians 1:2, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!” Paul’s greatest hope for the Philippians is that God would pour out his unmerited favor (grace) upon them, and that this would result in a wholeness and tranquility in life (peace). What a sweet prayer we echo for those in our lives.
This episode looks at Philippians 1:1, “From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.” Paul writes to all the saints, calling them to live in light of what God has done in them, and he specifically includes the overseers and deacons because of the special role they play in bringing these realities to fruition in the church body.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:24, “and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.” Paul gives a reorientation of how we should view fellow Christians throughout this letter. May God give us his vision.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:22, “At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.” Paul’s request here highlights the importance of hospitality. It also highlights community accountability in the church. May our churches hold one another accountable to the high standard of hospitality and to the standards of all of the Bible.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:21, “Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.” Paul believes that Philemon will do what is right. May we imitate him in doing so.
This episode look at Philemon 1:20, “Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.” Paul brought joy and life to Philemon by bringing him the gospel. Paul now wants joy and life from Philemon in his receiving of Onesimus as a brother. May we seek to bring refreshing life and joy to others in our Christian communities.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:19, “I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.” Paul guarantees the payment of debt with his own hand. When we make promises, may we similarly follow-through like Paul.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:18, “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.” Paul takes on Onesimus’s debts and transfers to him some of his own honor. This reflects Christ’s work of taking on our debt and shame at the cross and transferring righteousness and honor to us. May we learn to do the same to others so that Christ might be glorified more and more.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:17, “So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.” Paul would have been received with honor and respect. He wants that same thing from Philemon toward Onesimus. May our transformed Christian communities be characterized by honoring others, especially the marginalized.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:16, “no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” Paul speculates that Philemon and Onesimus were separated so that he might receive Onesimus back as a brother. May we have hearts that treat one another with the same dignity, respect, and love.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:15, “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever.” Paul speculates as to the divine purpose behind this whole situation. May we have a big view of God’s work in the world, and may we point to it when we are uncertain in life or when we want to persuade others to do what is right.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:14, “but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.”
This episode looks at Philemon 1:13, “I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel.” Paul credits Philemon for what he left undone by pointing to what Onesimus has done. God does the same for us in Christ, and we thank him for it.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:12, “I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.” Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon, but he wants Philemon to understand how deeply he loves Onesimus. May it be true of us in the same way that the well-being of other family members in the faith would be deeply attached to our well-being.
This episode looks at Philemon 1:11, “(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)” Paul uses a play on words with Philemon’s name to show how the traditional way to look at a slave/bondservant (undignified, useless, inferior) was incorrect and should be abolished. May we look at no fellow human beings as inferior or deficient in any way, and may our societies be transformed in the same way.