February 9
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PAUL’S LEGITIMACY AS A HEBREW OF HEBREWS
4 Although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. – Philippians 3:4-6
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In these passages in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he tells them why he as more reason to have confidence in the flesh. In verse 5, one of his reasons is that he belongs to the tribe of Benjamin, a distinguished tribe, because it gave Israel its first king, Saul as 1 Samuel 9:1-2 states. He was also circumcised on the eight day in accordance with Leviticus 12:3. Since he came from the tribe of Benjamin, he was a true descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, therefore, an heir to God’s covenant with them. Paul also claims that he is a Hebrew of Hebrews, meaning he was a Jew who embraced Greek culture as it spread through the Mediterranean. According to a commentary by David Guzik, during those times, many Jews were ashamed of being Jews and liked to live like Greeks, and sometimes even to the point of having their circumcision cosmetically restored or hidden so they could enjoy the Roman public baths without being noticed as Jews. In contrast, Paul was raised by his parents as a Hebrew of the Hebrews.
Paul has all the reasons why he might have confidence in the flesh. He says that among an elite people which were the Jews, he was of an elite sect, the Pharisees, who were known for their scrupulous devotion to God’s laws. According to another commentary, there were not even six thousand Pharisees, who were called the spiritual athletes of Judaism. Pharisee, their very name, means “The Separated Ones.” Barclays says that they had separated themselves off from all common life and from all common tasks in order to make it the one aim of their lives to keep every smallest detail of the law. Paul was not merely an intellectual opponent of perceived heresies against Judaism; he was also an active fighter against them – even in his blindness to God. This shows that Paul achieved the standard of righteousness which was accepted among the men of his day. So, Paul claims that he is more than qualified than anyone else to boast in the flesh than any of the Jews who claim righteousness and zeal for following the laws. He knows them more than any other Jews who claims they do.
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REFLECTION
• What is Paul’s point in stating that he is a Hebrew of Hebrews to the Philippians?
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REJOICE IN THE LORD AND BEWARE OF EVIL ILMA’S VLOG
February 8
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REJOICE IN THE LORD AND BEWARE OF EVIL
Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, – Philippians 3:1-3
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In these passages, Paul tells us to embrace a spirit of rejoicing. When we focus on the Lord, we will be amazed and awed by what he provides for us and what protection he cloaks us with. But the Lord also warns us through Paul to be vigilant and watchful for evil that surrounds us in this world that we live in. Paul takes the responsibility to constantly remind the Philippians of how they can safeguard their new creation in Christ. There are some things he particularly calls our attention to such as:
*Beware of the dogs – in a commentary by David Guzik, “dogs” is exactly the term of contempt Jews would use against Gentiles. Paul said a lot by using this word against these Jewish-influenced legalists.
*Beware of the evil workers – the Jews thought they were good workers who obeyed the law strictly, thinking that God approved them, but Paul calls them evil because they deny that salvation is a gift from God, and they turn people away from God.
*Beware of false circumcision – the Jews were proud of their physical sign of circumcision (a covenant with God that went back to Abraham’s time (Genessis17:10) Paul used two Greek words very like each other. Instead of ‘cutting round’ (circumcision), they were ‘cutting to pieces’ (concision). The law forbade Jews to make cuts on the body (Leviticus 21:5). What God required was a ‘circumcision’ of the heart. God does not require people to trust in laws and ceremonies, as the Jews did. He requires a humble trust in his mercy. Paul said that the Jews were causing injury to the true faith. It was as if they were cutting it to pieces.
In verse 3, Paul emphasizes the true circumcision as the true believer who worships God in Sprit who only boasts about truth and the things of the Spirit; someone who never entertains their flesh cravings or depend on their strength to earn their salvation, just like the Jews did. Paul didn’t want the Philippians to be religious, but have relationship with their one and only God.
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REFLECTION
• Why can’t evil people rejoice in the Lord? What disqualifies them from rejoicing?
RISKING ONE’S LIFE FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
February 7
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RISKING ONE’S LIFE FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need, 26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. 29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold people like him in high regard, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to compensate for your absence in your service to me. -Philippians 2:25-30
________________________________________According to William Barclay’s commentary, the Greek word for risking one’s life is the verb paraboleuesthai, a gambler’s word which means to stake everything on a turn of the dice. Paul is saying that for the sake of Jesus Christ Epaphroditus gambled his life. In the days of the Early Church there was an association of men and women called the parabolani, the gamblers. It was their aim to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those who were ill with dangerous and infectious diseases. In A.D. 252 plague broke out in Carthage; the heathen threw out the bodies of their dead and fled in terror. Cyprian, the Christian bishop, gathered his congregation together and set them to burying the dead and nursing the sick in that plague-stricken city; and by so doing they saved the city, at the risk of their lives, from destruction and desolation. There should be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which makes him ready to gamble with his life to serve Christ and men.
We see another selfless act of love of Paul in these passages. He sends back Epaphroditus to the Philippians who were concerned that he may be sick. Paul endorses this courageous worker of the Lord, Ephaphroditus, who risked his life for the gospel. Epaphroditus was with Paul in prison, as a way of the Philippian’s support for him. Can you imagine how someone suffering in prison can think of the welfare of others? Paul didn’t want the Philippians to worry about Ephaphroditus, so he sends him back so they can rejoice as to how the Lord is caring for them in prison. He reminds them how selfless and faithful Ephaphroditus in spreading the gospel, risking his own life.
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REFLECTION
• How can we risk our own lives just to bring the gospel to this corrupt world?
TIMOTHY: PAUL’S KINDRED SPIRIT ILMA’S VLOG
February 6
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TIMOTHY: PAUL’S KINDRED SPIRIT
19 But I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven character, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly. – Philippians 2:19-24
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According to William Barclay’s commentary, Timothy was a native either of Derbe or of Lystra. His father was a Greek and the fact that he was not circumcised would seem to show that he was educated in Greek ways (Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:5). We cannot tell how or when he was converted to Christianity, but on his second missionary journey Paul met him and saw in him one whom he could clearly use in the service of Jesus Christ. From that time Paul and Timothy were very close. Paul could speak of him as his child in the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:17). Timothy’s great use was that, whenever Paul wished for information from some Church or wished to send advice or encouragement or rebuke and could not go himself, it was he whom he sent. Timothy’s great value was that he was always willing to go anywhere; and in his hands a message was as safe as if Paul had delivered it himself. Timothy’s one desire was to serve Paul and Jesus Christ.
Paul endorses his beloved Timothy to the Philippians. He trusts his good assistant to be able to represent him because the Philippians have been faithful to the Lord and there is no better person who loves them as much as he did. He was so glad that Timothy could represent him in doing God’s ministry. Paul speaks highly of Timothy, almost like his own son. His letter was full of expectancy as to his coming visit to see them all. Paul could speak of Timothy as his child in the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:17). He was with Paul in Philippi (Acts 16:1-40 ); he was with him in Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:1-14); he was with him in Corinth and in Ephesus (Acts 18:5; Acts 19:21-22); and he was with him in prison in Rome (Colossians 1:1; Philippians 1:1). We see the bond and trust that Paul and Timothy had between them. What a wonderful relationship when we are kindred in spirit with another believer!
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REFLECTION
• What is the most important thing that you could ever want to have in a friend?
• Why is trust a very important aspect in a friendship?
WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR & TREMBLING ILMA’S VLOG
February 5
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WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR & TREMBLING
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.14 Do all things without complaining or arguments; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
– Philippians 2:12-18
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In this letter of Paul to the Philippians, he reminds them of the importance of obedience more than anything now that he isn’t with them. He wanted them to continue to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. “Working out your own salvation” has been so misunderstood by many Christians. Some believers misconstrue it as to work hard to earn their salvation, which is the opposite of what it really means. When Paul tells this to people who already committed their lives to Christ as their Lord and Savior, he meant for them to work in their process of sanctification and living their professed belief in the Lord.
Spurgeon says: “These words, as they stand in the New Testament, contain no exhortation to all men, but are directed to the people of God. They are not intended as an exhortation to the unconverted; they are, as we find them in the epistle, beyond all question addressed to those who are already saved through a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
When Paul says to work out your own salvation in fear and trembling, he meant for all believers to follow a life that is pure and so they can follow the Spirit instead of their flesh. In verse 14, he cautions them from complaining and arguments because they hamper the progress of their growth. They also delay the fulfillment of their purposes for God’s kingdom work. Can you imagine being led to Jesus by whiny people? Would you be a true witness to the gospel? Sadly, many of us Christians fail to refrain from complaining and arguing. Paul urges us to share our faith with rejoicing.
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REFLECTION
• How can the phrase “working out your own salvation” mislead some Christians?
CAUSES OF DIVISION IN THE CHURCH AND ANTIDOTE FOR IT ILMA’S VLOG
February 4
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CAUSES OF DIVISION IN THE CHURCH AND ANTIDOTE FOR IT
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. 9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:1-11
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In this letter, Paul gives the Philippians warning about the dangers of disunity. In verse 2, he asks them to have the same mind, same love, united in spirit and focused only on one purpose. It is very important in the body of Christ to be on the same page with regards to following the true gospel of Jesus. Paul gives the believers the causes of disunity in a church. He spells out selfishness and empty conceit as the main source of division in the body. When people only care for their agendas and is not in harmony with the gospel, we are surely going to see trouble lurking in the church. He emphasizes that empty conceit must not be part of the believer’s life. In verse 4, Paul teaches the Philippians how to be selfless instead of being selfish. We cannot be only after our needs being met, but we also need to care for one another as Christ commands us to. In verse 5, he gives the antidote for selfishness and conceit. The example of Jesus’ coming down on earth to give up being God and became humans, so that he can obey God to the point of dying on the cross. He sampled what humility was and that when we became believers, we ought to live that same humility we were role modeled to by Christ.
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REFLECTION
• Why is division something that God doesn’t want present in his church?
• What happens when division infiltrates a church?
TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN ILMA’S VLOG
February 2
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TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again. – Philippians 1:21-26
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In his declaration of Paul’s great love for his Lord and Master, we hear him proclaim that “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” What does he mean by this? Do you remember how Paul’s encounter on the Damascus road, changed his entire life from a dead life of persecuting the Christians to a new life for Christ?
Barclay comments that for Paul, Christ had been the beginning of life, for on that day at Damascus road it was as if he had begun life all over again. To Paul, Christ had given the task of life, for it was he who had made him an apostle and sent him out as the evangelist of the Gentiles. To him Christ had given the strength for life, for it was Christ’s all-sufficient grace that was made perfect in Paul’s weakness. For him Christ was the reward of life, for to Paul the only worthwhile reward was closer fellowship with his Lord. If Christ were to be taken out of life, for Paul there would be nothing left.
“Death is gain” because it meant that he will be united with his Lord and Savior. Barclay comments again that there are passages in which Paul seems to regard death as a sleep, from which all men at some future general resurrection shall be wakened (1Corinthians 16:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:16); but at the moment when its breath was on him Paul thought of death not as a falling asleep but as an immediate entry into the presence of his Lord.
In verse 23, he mentions two desires regarding to die so he can be with Christ or to remain alive so he can still continue to do the work for Christ to the other believers. How many of us Christians have this undying servant heart like Paul? His whole life is about serving and proclaiming the gospel so that Christ may be glorified. Is our life for Christ and are we ready to give up our life to preach the gospel and make disciples of others?
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REFLECTION
• Does your life manifest a life for Christ and do you think to die is gain?
CHRIST EXALTED ILMA’S VLOG
February 1
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CHRIST EXALTED
But not only that, I also will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. -Philippians 1:18-20
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In this letter, Paul is full of faith and conviction and rejoicing. He is certain that the prayers of the Philippians would be powerful for the Spirit of the Lord to move into his deliverance. It is in this belief in his friends and the power of the Holy Spirit that his hope is anchored on. It is the source of his boldness to proclaim the gospel despite the circumstance that he is in. His courage is exemplary and his situation is immaterial because he is sure that whether he dies or stay alive, he is going to stay faithful to exalt his Master and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. How many of us Christians have this kind of dependency, trust and obedience to Christ?
Barclay’s bible commentary says that in this situation Paul knows that he has two great supports. He has the support of the prayers of his friends. One of the loveliest things in Paul’s letters is the way in which he asks again and again for his friends’ prayers. He never talked to people as if he could do everything and they could do nothing; he always remembered that neither he, nor they, could do anything without the help of God. Barclay further writes “When people are in sorrow, one of their greatest comforts is the awareness that others are bearing them to the throne of grace. When they have to face some back-breaking effort or some heart-breaking decision, there is new strength in remembering that others are remembering them before God. We cannot call a man our friend unless we pray for him.
Paul knows that he has the support of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the fulfilment of the promise of Jesus that he will be with us to the end of the world. In all this situation Paul has one expectation and one hope. Paul is certain that in Christ he will find courage never to be ashamed of the gospel; and that through Christ his labors will be made effective for all men to see.
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REFLECTION
• Do you count on other believer’s prayers to be an integral part of life as a believer? Why is it important to ask other Christians for prayers?
• How is Christ exalted when we pray for one another and depend on the Holy Spirit?
THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED NO MATTER WHAT ILMA’S VLOG
January 31
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THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED NO MATTER WHAT
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaims Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.
–Philippians 1:12-18
________________________________________According to a commentary, Paul here answered a concern of the Philippians. He wanted them to know that God’s blessing and power were still with him, even though he was in prison. He was not out of the will of God, and God’s work still continued. When Paul was with the Philippians, there were amazing examples of the sovereign power of God, culminating in a divine jail-break and their vindication before civil magistrates (Acts 16:11-40). We are not surprised that the Philippians wondered where the power of God was in Paul’s present imprisonment. We also know that all this turned out for the furtherance of the gospel because during this time he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. God didn’t waste Paul’s time during the Roman imprisonment. God never wastes our time, though we may waste it by not sensing God’s purpose for our lives at the moment.
Paul narrates how the imprisonment was a blessing for his ministry because Jesus Christ became well known throughout the guards and everyone else in the prison. This became an inspiration for other men and women believers who preached the gospel, to speak more boldly and without fear. Paul said in this letter that many wanted to preach the gospel and not all of them had the right motives, but he didn’t care so much about their motives. As long as the gospel is preached, he was overjoyed because he knows that the Spirit is at work in all this work going on because it was God who began all this good work in all of them, and he is sure that He will finish it too.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for all believers to preach the gospel?
PRAYER FOR AN OVERFLOW OF LOVE AND WISDOM ILMA’S VLOG
January 30
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PRAYER FOR AN OVERFLOW OF LOVE AND WISDOM
8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.
-Philippians 1:8-11:
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Adam Clarke paraphrased verse 8 as “I call God to witness that I have the strongest affection for you, and that I love you with that same kind of tender concern with which Christ loved the world when he gave himself for it.”
Verses 9-11 is Paul’s loving prayer for the Philippians. And he asked God for an overflow of love, even though he knows that they are very loving already. He also asked God to bring them more knowledge and wisdom and discernment so that they will be able to discover all the excellent things that God has for them. He also prayed that they will continue to be faithful, pure and holy until the next coming of Jesus because they have already been filled with the fruit of righteousness that came when they committed their lives to Jesus Christ. As the fruit of righteousness manifest in their lives, then God will be praised and glorified.
What a prayer! Paul is clearly full of the Spirit of the Lord when he wrote this prayer for the Philippian believers. All of these blessings were all aligned with God’s truth. He asked for more love, wisdom, discernment, which leads to the joy of discovering all of God’s gifts for them so they can be sanctified and continually pure for Christ. Clarke comments on this prayer as “That it may be like a river, perpetually fed with rain and fresh streams so that it continues to swell and increase until it fills all its banks, and floods the adjacent plains.”
How often do you pray like Paul? He knows and sees the righteousness of God manifest in the Philippians. Do you usually see the love God has for the person you are praying for? It is amazing how Paul almost sees their hearts, even though we know that only God is the one who can see our hearts. It is like God gave him a glimpse of what he sees in them. When we know our Lord so well, he will give us discernment to see what he sees.
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REFLECTION
• How can we learn to pray Spirit-led prayers like Paul?