Paul wrote to the Philippians while under house arrest in Rome. His imprisonment, however, wasn’t the final sentence. He was waiting for Caesar to try his case, and the outcome would be freedom or death. Despite the substantial possibility of execution, Paul continued to rejoice. And his reason for joy was Christ, who Jesus is, and what Jesus means to Him.
Joy in Christ’s deliverance
“Yes, and I will rejoice. For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance.“
Paul had joy because he expected God to deliver him. By deliverance, Paul didn’t necessarily mean freedom from his imprisonment. The original Greek word means salvation, well-being, or welfare. And the phrase “turn out for my deliverance” in Greek is verbatim from Job 13:16, which speaks of final redemption. So Paul’s deliverance could be freedom from imprisonment and execution or eternal salvation.
It’s probably both. Paul would either be found innocent and vindicated before Caesar or found pure and blameless before Christ (Philippians 1:10).
Paul didn’t care much about the specifics of God’s deliverance. What mattered most to him was honoring Christ either way. And he was confident that he would remain faithful to Christ and exalt Him, whether he lived or died. He hoped for three reasons.
First, the Philippians were praying for him. The Holy Scriptures consistently shows that God moves on earth through the prayer of His people. James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Paul believed in the power of prayer and frequently asked others to pray for him (Romans 15:30-32, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Ephesians 6:19, Colossians 4:3). His prayer requests weren’t for his sufferings to decrease, but for his courage to increase so he could continue to proclaim Christ.
Second, The Holy Spirit was helping him. Jesus said the Holy Spirit is our helper (John 14:16). And part of his work involves coming alongside us and supplying us with everything we need (See The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit). Therefore, Paul knew the Holy Spirit would provide him with courage and strength to magnify Christ.
Last, God is faithful; He will not put to shame those who believe in Him (Isaiah 1:27-29; 49:23, Psalm 25:2-3; 119-80, Zephaniah 3:11). God’s word was Paul’s hope, and hope doesn’t put to shame (Romans 5:5). Moreover, God had delivered Paul from deadly perils before, and Paul trusted Him to deliver him again (2 Corinthians 1:8-10).
With the people of God, the Spirit of God, and the Word of God on his side, Paul knew, without a doubt, his strength wouldn’t fail. He knew he would overcome any temptation or pressure to deny his King and dishonor Him.
But why was Paul’s priority Christ’s exaltation? Because Christ was his life.
Living and dying to Christ
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Paul was devoted to exalting Christ because Jesus is our Lord and Master. He purchased us with His blood, and He owns whether we are alive or dead (Romans 14:8-9). And as His slaves, our lives revolve around Him. His desires and plans will always take precedence over ours. Therefore, Paul declared living is Christ.
He explains this statement further in Galatians 2:20, which says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Theologians summed in Coram Deo, which means, “living in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.”
Our life is not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19), it belongs to Christ (Colossians 3:4), and we live for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15).
If to live is Christ, then death is gain because God takes us from glory to glory.
Living to Christ here is wonderful, but it’s not the end goal. As I mentioned previously, the last step in the Ordo Salutis is glorification. It won’t happen until Christ returns, but death gives us a before taste. When we die, we enter the immediate presence of Jesus, and that’s is an immeasurable trade up from this life. Moreover, we will be wholly sanctified and rid of our sinful flesh until Jesus resurrects and glorifies it on the last day.
It’s no wonder Paul was confident and joyful despite his circumstances. If he lived, he would continue his ministry, which brought him joy. But if he died, he would be in the presence of His beloved Lord in exceedingly more joy. Faced with these two positive outcomes, Paul couldn’t decide if he would rather live or die.
On the one hand, he wanted to continue his work for Christ, and on the other, he wanted to be with Christ. Both options were acceptable and would honor Christ, so Paul naturally desired the better opportunity to depart and be with Christ. Paul didn’t choose death because he was tired of suffering and wanted to give up; he had great joy from his ministry, despite its affliction.
Paul preferred death because he loved Christ more than he loved his life; he longed to be with Christ more than he longed to live.
But Paul knew his staying though a loss to him would be gain to others. If he remained in the flesh, he would continue his fruitful ministry and help others progress in their faith. His dilemma was really between his own benefit and the benefit of others. The choice wasn’t up to Paul, but if it were, he would have followed his Master’s example and denied himself for the sake of others.
Jesus is our supreme example of selflessness and sacrifice. He willingly gave up His life for the sake of sinners. And He, who knew no sin, became sin and bore the full wrath of God so we may receive the righteousness of God.
Paul also wanted to remain so that the Philippians would have ample reason to boast in God. His deliverance would have been a great testimony to God’s power and would give the Philippians a reason to rejoice. But the glory was for God alone. The original Greek order of verse 26 says, “that your confidence of joy may be more abundant in Jesus Christ in me.”
Paul wanted the Philippians to rejoice and boast because of what Christ was doing through him, not anything he did.
Let goods and kindred go,
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever.
Heart Check
Christians will surely face persecution and suffering. Our primary concern shouldn’t be escaping it, but enduring them in a Christ-exalting way. It’s not wrong to pray for relief; Paul asked God to remove a thorn in his flesh three times. Honoring Christ, however, should be our most significant concern.
We always proclaim we love Jesus more than anything, but do we? Do you love Christ more than your life? Would you lay it down in a heartbeat if asked? If you were to die tomorrow, will you see it as a tragedy because of all your unfulfilled dreams or the good things you would leave behind? Or would you rejoice because being with Christ is far better than anything you could ever achieve here?
God gives us many things in this world for our pleasure, but we must hold on to them with open hands ready to surrender them if He asks. And most importantly, we must never treasure anything in life more than Christ.
Paul’s hesitation between life and death hinged on the welfare of others. He didn’t want to remain in the flesh to fulfill his bucket list or pursue personal ambitions. He might have cared about other things, but they were a loss compared to Christ; the only thing that was worth making him pause was his ministry. It wasn’t getting married, having a promotion, traveling around the world, etc., it was the work and people of Christ. Our priority in life is God and people. Everything else is vanity.
What are your thoughts on this week’s study? Share in the comments below.
Recommended resources
- Joy in Spite of Death – John MacArthur
- Joy in Spite of the Flesh – John MacArthur
- Don’t Waste Your Life – John Piper
- Boast only in the Cross – John Piper
Next study
Readings
We will finish Chapter 1, so read and study Philippians 1:27-30
Memorization
Philippians 1:27-30 if you are doing the challenge, if not, verse 29.
Questions for reflection
- What is the faith of the gospel?
- What does it mean to live worthy of the gospel? Are you living up to the value of the gospel? In which areas are you consistent? And where are you not consistent?
- Why is it necessary for Christians to strive together as one?
- Paul says suffering is a gift. What difference does this make to see suffering this way?
- Jesus and Paul set before us an example of suffering, what can you learn from it, and how can you apply when you go through tough times?
