The Book of

PHILIPPIANS

Verse by Verse

Chapter 1

"1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to ALL the saints IN Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:"

Here in verse one I see a greeting from Paul and Timothy who consider themselves as SERVANTS of Jesus Christ as they are addressing ALL the SAINTS or fellow brothers and sisters who are IN Christ Jesus and who are fellow shipping or who are gathering together as a body of believers at this place called Phillipi. I am not sure why, but for some reason Paul and Timothy singles out the BISHOPS and the DEACONS from ALL the SAINTS by using the preposition "WITH". Clearly to ME both groups are SAINTS as well. One thing I do see is that BISHOPS and DEACONS are NOT one and the SAME, because of the use of the word AND that separates them as being distinct from each other. I also see that there is MORE than ONE bishop and more than one deacon at this church in Philippi.

Philippi is located in Eastern Mesopotamia or Greece close to the Mediterranean sea. Here is what Wikapedia says about Philippi:

'According to the New Testament, in AD 49 or 50, the city was visited by the apostle Paul (Acts 16:9-10). From the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 16:12) and the letter to the Philippians, early Christians concluded that Paul had founded their community. Accompanied by Silas, Timothy and possibly Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles, he is believed to have preached for the first time on European soil in Philippi (Acts 16:12-40) According to the New Testament, Paul visited the city on two other occasions, in AD 56 and 57. The Epistle to the Philippians dates from around AD 61-61 and is believed to show the immediate impact of Paul's instruction.'

"2. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

In verse two I see Paul and Timothy SPEAKING FORTH GRACE and PEACE to ALL the SAINTS who are at Philippi. I also see that this GRACE and PEACE is FROM both Almighty God the Father AND from our Lord Jesus Christ.

I first noticed this POWER of SPEAKING FORTH PEACE in the gospel of Matthew 10:12-15 where Jesus instructed his disciples to SPEAK PEACE to the household before they entered and if their PEACE remained they were to stay and minister and if their peace came back to them, then they were to shake off the dust of their feet as a sign unto the household that did not receive their peace.

Matthew 10:12-15

"And when you come into an house, salute it.

13. And if the house be worthy, let your PEACE come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

15. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

From this verse I learned to SPEAK FORTH PEACE in the NAME of Jesus over my children and any situation where PEACE was needed and PEACE would come and rest upon where it was needed. This speaking forth PEACE in the name of Jesus brought peace to crying babies when nothing else seemed to work. This speaking forth PEACE calmed animals that were aggressive or frightened. Later I learned that speaking forth GRACE was also a way to bring POWER to a situation. Please see the study entitled "WHAT is the TRUE meaning of GRACE".

"3. I THANK my God upon EVERY REMEMBRANCE of you,"

This teaches me that I should take the time to give God THANKS for my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord EVERY TIME they come to my mind, particularly so if I have not thought of that specific brother of sister in a while and they suddenly come to my remembrance when I my thoughts are not focused in that area. Sometimes I believe God brings people to our minds so that we will PRAY for them.

"4. ALWAYS in EVERY prayer of mine for YOU all making request with JOY,"

This teaches me that sometimes we may not FEEL like praying for others, but when God brings people to our remembrance we should put aside our FEELINGS and intercede for them with JOY knowing that our request will not only be heard but answered as well according to the PROMISE we have been given in 1 John 5:14,15, which says,

"And this is the CONFIDENCE (or ASSURANCE) that we have in him, that, if we ask ANY thing according to his will, he hears us:

15. And if we KNOW that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we KNOW that we HAVE the petitions that we desired of him."

Jesus taught us to ASK that our JOY would be FULL. Just knowing that God HEARS and ANSWERS our prayers bring me JOY and PEACE.

"5. For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;"

Here we see that ONE of the things that Paul and Timothy are REQUESTING from God in their PRAYER for ALL the SAINTS that are at Philippi is that their FELLOWSHIP in the GOSPEL from the very first day they began to hear the gospel unto this time of this prayer. The we need to read the next verse to learn more about this request to God in behalf of the saints at Philippi.

"6. Being CONFIDENT of this very thing (WHAT very THING is Paul and Timothy so CONFIDENT about?), THAT (that WHAT? THAT) he which has BEGUN a GOOD WORK in you (that HE) WILL perform it UNTIL the day of Jesus Christ:"

Now the reason I highlighted verse 6 in yellow is because this is the verse that was selected in the devotion study we did at our church. So then, in verses 3-11 we see that Paul and Timothy are GIVING THANKS to God first for the FELLOWSHIP in the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ for these saints or fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord from the very first day they became Christians to this very day that they are giving thanks to God in prayer. And in giving thanks they are CONFIDENT that Almighty God who has started this whole process of bringing about GOOD WORKS in them WILL WITHOUT FAIL CONTINUE to PERFORM this GOOD WORK of SAVING them until the DAY of the second coming of Jesus when they and we shall be given eternal life.

"7. Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace."

The Greek word that is translated as "MEET" here means that it is the RIGHT THING to do, or it is RIGHTEOUS to think this way. And the reason that I think this way of you is BECAUSE I have you in my HEART. Paul is telling us that he thinks of them all the time, BOTH will he was in BONDS or when he was being PERSECUTED for preaching the GOSPEL and that this BOND was a CONFIRMATION that they were truly PARTAKERS of his GRACE. Now to me this means that they were partakers of the SAME GRACE that Paul was a partaker, but it could also mean that by Paul showing grace to them that he himself would reap a reward for bearing fruit. In other words, they were part of his WORK of building the kingdom of God. Either way I see that Paul considered his PERSECUTION for the preaching of the GOSPEL as a CONFIRMATION that their FAITH was sincere and word last until the day of our Lords return.

"8. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ."

In other words, God is my WITNESS of how much I desire deep in my innermost being for you to be in Jesus Christ.

"9. And THIS I pray, THAT your LOVE may abound yet more and more in KNOWLEDGE and in all judgment;"

Therefore because of how greatly Paul LONG AFTER these saints at Philippi he had this PRAYER or deep desire for them THAT their LOVE would grow more and more in both KNOWLEDGE and JUDGMENT. But WHY these two things?

"10. THAT (or so that, or in order that) you may APPROVE things that are excellent; THAT (or and also that) you may be SINCERE and without offense till the day of Christ;"

The word "APPROVE" here means to TEST, to try, to EXAMINE, to interpret, to discern, and to PROVE. So then this verse could read; 'Or so that you may PROVE the things that are EXCELLENT or the things that are of more or greater value; SO THAT or in order that you will be SINCERE or that your motives will be PURE and that you be found WITHOUT OFFENSE or that you be found BLAMELESS or WITHOUT any SIN to the day of the COMING of Jesus.'

"11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

And not that you just be found without sin, but ALSO that you be found being FILLED with the FRUITS of RIGHTEOUSNESS, which are NOT by your OWN WORKS but rather the fruits you bare are BY of THROUGH Jesus Christ for the purpose of bringing GLORY and PRAISE to Almighty God the Father.

"12. But I would you should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out RATHER unto the FURTHERANCE of the gospel;"

Here I see Paul adding or perhaps changing the subject a little by expressing his desire for us to UNDERSTAND that the persecution which is happening to him is turning out RATHER to help spread the gospel as opposed to stopping or hindering the gospel from being preached as was the intention of those who placed Paul in these BONDS or in prison to stop the gospel from being preached.

"13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;"

In other words, the news of Paul's persecution has spread and has clearly been made known throughout the palace and in all other places as well.

"14. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing (or growing) CONFIDENT by my bonds, are much MORE BOLD to speak the word WITHOUT fear."

Here we see that the persecution of Paul by being placed in prison in order to stop the preaching of the gospel has done just the OPPOSITE. So instead of bringing FEAR upon Christians this persecution RATHER caused the saints of God to be that MUCH MORE BOLD in our proclaiming of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"15. Some INDEED preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some ALSO of good will:"

In this verse we see that Paul recognizes that the gospel is being preached with different MOTIVES where SOME are preaching the gospel out of ENVY and some out of STRIFE whereas others are preaching with the pure motive of GOOD WILL toward others.

"16. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to ADD affliction to my bonds:"

Here in this verse we see Paul expounding a bit more on the previous verse and says on the ONE SIDE there are SOME who preach with the MOTIVE to ADD affliction to my being in prison. In other words on one side there are those who are NOT preaching the gospel out of a sincere or PURE motive for the GOOD WILL of others, but rather out of contention or strife and selfish ambition they are just preaching the gospel in the hopes of ADDING AFFLICTION or MORE PAIN to my being placed in prison.

"17. But the OTHER of LOVE, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel."

But on the OTHER SIDE of the coin there are those who are preaching the gospel out of a pure heart of LOVE. And these who preach SINCERELY not desiring to ADD affliction to my bonds KNOW that if afflictions are indeed added because of their preaching they KNOW that I Paul am SET or FIRMLY rooted and grounded for the DEFENSE of the GOSPEL. In other words, Paul is saying it does NOT matter about what happens to me so longs as the GOSPEL is PREACHED!

"18. What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."

Or what shall I say to this fact the the gospel is being preached by some out of contention just for the purpose to add affliction to my bonds? It does NOT matter to me because in every way that the gospel is preached whether in pretense, that is to say no matter what the MOTIVE by which the gospel is preached even if the motive is hidden and meant for harm to me, OR whether the gospel is preached in sincerity out of a pure heart for others in TRUTH, the gospel of Christ is none the less still being PREACHED. And in the PREACHING of the gospel I do REJOICE and will ALWAYS rejoice.

"19. For I KNOW that THIS shall turn to my salvation THROUGH your prayer, AND the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,"

Here in this verse I see the confidence in Paul that THIS PREACHING of the gospel no matter HOW it is INTENDED by those that PREACH it will eventually bring about the SALVATION or perhaps the deliverance of Paul THROUGH their prayer AND the help of the Holy Spirit the same Holy Spirit that Jesus was ANOINTED with of Almighty God the Father. It may be that Paul was looking at the long term SALVATION which was his obtaining ETERNAL LIFE or it may be that Paul was speaking of his confidence that he would be delivered from prison through their prayers or that he would overcome this persecution with the power of the Holy Spirit. What ever way Paul was speaking of he knew that he would be SAVED. Perhaps ALL of the above were meant to be understood.

"20. According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death."

Now in this verse I see that Paul is speaking of his salvation it the light of whether he LIVES or whether he DIES he is EARNESTLY EXPECTING or BELIEVING that in NOTHING he shall be ashamed, but rather will all BOLDNESS as Paul always had in the past even that same boldness will Jesus Christ be MAGNIFIED in his body no matter if he LIVES or if he DIES. In other words, Paul is SET for the DEFENSE of the GOSPEL no matter WHAT the COST is to him EVEN if it COST him his LIFE.

"21. For to me to LIVE is Christ, and to die is GAIN."

Paul is saying that it does not matter whether he LIVES of DIES, BECAUSE the life he now LIVE is for Jesus Christ to be glorified and if he DIES then Jesus will still be glorified, but to DIE would be more beneficial for him, because he would be WITH Jesus and out of pain and persecution. So to the believer DEATH in Christ is GREAT GAIN and should not be seen as a lose to us, so long as Jesus Christ and Almighty God are GLORIFIED.

"22. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I WOT NOT."

The phrase "WOT NOT" here means that which has NOT been made KNOWN to Paul as yet. In other words, Paul has NOT yet UNDERSTOOD or it has NOT yet been REVEALED to Paul by the Holy Spirit as what he should CHOOSE. So then, in this verse I see that Paul is faced with a tough decision, to continue to live in the flesh which is to continue to suffer the bond that he is in knowing that Christ is yet glorified because the gospel has produce believers here in Philippi, but he does not yet understand what choice the Holy Spirit is leading him to make at this point in time.

"23. For (or because) I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:"

Here we see Paul being torn with the decision to stay in the flesh or to lay down his live and die which would be FAR BETTER for himself, but WHAT should he do?

"24. Nevertheless to abide (or remain living) in the flesh is MORE NEEDFUL for YOU."

So here we see Paul putting aside his desire to go on and be with the Lord and putting before himself the NEEDS of others. In other words, Paul is saying that it would be FAR BETTER for HIM if he died because he knows that he will be with the Lord, but he puts that aside to focus on how it is MORE NEEDFUL for OTHERS that he not die but rather continue to LIVE and preach the gospel.

"25. And having THIS CONFIDENCE, I KNOW that I shall ABIDE and CONTINUE with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;"

In this verse we see that Paul has made the decision to NOT lay down his live at this point in time, but rather LIVE and CONTINUE to minister the gospel to the saints to further their growth in the Lord and for their JOY of faith. One thing that kept going through my mind when reading this whole passage of scripture was the idea that was being presented to me that Paul was not just speaking idle words, but was serious about putting off his earthly tabernacle, which is the body of the flesh and go home to be with the Lord. Peter mentions this same kind of thing in 2 Peter 1:14 where he says,

"Knowing that shortly I must PUT OFF this my tabernacle, EVEN as our Lord Jesus Christ has SHOWED me."

Now to ME this can only mean one thing and that is that our Lord taught his disciples how to give up the ghost as Jesus himself did on the cross. We see that Steven did this as well when he was being stoned for his testimony of Jesus. And when and if the time comes I believe that the Holy Spirit will teach us how to do this as well. When my father was close to dying and he called all the family together he asked me to pray one of those Jesus prayers for him. So I sat down beside him and rebuked the pain in the name of Jesus and I assured him that he was ready to meet the Lord, because I had personally seen how much the Lord was working in his life the past year. I instructed him that whenever he felt like going on home that there was nothing to fear and that it was simply opening a door and walking through to a new life with God. So whenever he felt like going home all he needed to do was go lay down and commit his spirit to the Lord and then go to sleep and he would be in God's presence. About and hour past and he stood up and said I am going to bed now and went to his bedroom and laid down. A few minutes later my sister went in to check on him and he had already passed over to the other side in peace.

"26. THAT (or so that) your rejoicing may be MORE abundant in Jesus Christ for me BY my coming to you again."

In other words, my remaining alive and coming to be with you again will bring you far more JOY than my departing to be with the Lord.

"27. Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;"

Again this verse is one of the verse selected in the devotional study I am doing at the church I attend. Now here is one of those verses that I found easier to understand in other translations of the Bible as opposed to the King James Version. One translation says no matter what happens let your conduct be in a manner that is worthy of the gospel: so no matter if I come and see you or if I go home to be with the Lord I want to hear that you all are living in one spirit and are of one mind all striving and working together for the faith of the gospel. The word conversation in the King James version is a little misleading, but if you look the word up, then you can see that it also means all manner of conduction both is word and deed.

"28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God."

In this verse I see Paul exhorting the saints NOT to be terrified by ANGTHING that our adversaries would do or say to us and to KNOW that to THEM, our persecutors, to them it is a sign of perdition or that which will lead to death if it is not repented of, but to US this persecution leads to SALVATION which is OF God and NOT of ourselves.

"29. FOR (or BECAUSE) unto you it is GIVEN (or it is ordained) in the behalf of Christ, NOT ONLY to BELIEVE on him, but ALSO to SUFFER for his sake;"

In this verse we learn that our salvation just begins with out BELIEVING on Jesus. In other words, our actually receiving eternal life goes beyond just BELIEVING on the name of Jesus but ALSO involves our SUFFERING for Jesus as well. That is to say that our salvation is CONDITIONAL and there are things that we MUST DO in order to be accounted WORTHY to obtain ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come. Please read the studies entitled "WE ARE NOT SAVED BY OUR OWN GOD WORKS", "WITHOUT HOLINESS NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD" and "I am the WAY-WHAT did Jesus MEAN?" for a deeper understanding of the CONDITIONS that we MUST meet in order to be SAVED and RECEIVE eternal life in the world to come.

"30. Having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me."

In other words, we may be required to suffer is the same way that Paul suffered for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There were many things that Paul suffer that these saints in Philippi saw in the past and now presently hear to be with Paul.

Chapter 2

"1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,"

THEREFORE if there be ANY kind of comfort or encouragement, or if there be any comfort of love, or any exhortation of fellowship of the Spirit, or any groaning of mercy.

"2. Fulfill you my joy, that you be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

In other words, Paul is saying to us that if he is to be comforted in any way for the things he is suffering, then let his JOY be made FULL by KNOWING that we are all like minded, having the same love toward one another and that we are all in one accord and of one mind speaking the same thing so that there is no strife among us.

"3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

Paul is desiring that the all the saints live without strife between each other and that we all humble ourselves and consider each other better than ourselves.

"4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."

And one way to cosider other better than ourself is to NOT look at our OWN needs, but RATHER let each one of us look at the needs of EACH OTHER.

"5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"

LET or allow this kind of thinking be IN YOU, because this is exactly how our Lord and savior Jesus Christ thought and acted putting others BEFORE himself.

"6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"

WHO speaking of Jesus who was in the form of God as the Word, did not every think the thought stealing equality with God. Or never once thought a covetous thought to be equal with God. Here is the Wycliffe translation,

"Which when he was in the form of God, deemed not raven (or never consider to seek or seize by force), that himself were even to God; [which when he was in the form of God, deemed not raven, himself to be even to God;]"

Some translations say that though he was is the form of God or had the same nature of God he did not think it to be robbery to be God's equal. However, to ME if this translation or interpretation were true, then why would there be any need to think such a thought, because he word already be God and therefore would already be equal to God. To ME there would be no need to even bring up equality, because IF being in the same form or nature means to BE one and the SAME, then he would BE whatever God IS. He would BE ONE and the SAME, because he IS God.

This is why I choose to believe the translations that teach us that when he was in the form or nature of God he never once thought a thought to seize by force an being EQUAL with Almighty God.

"7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"

The word that is translated as the phrase "MADE NO REPUTATION" means that he EMPTIED himself of whatever form he had and became empty of hollow. In other words, whatever power he had he laid if all aside. So then, this verse could read, But RATHER than ever thinking himself to seize by force an equality with Almighty God he EMPTIED himself from any power or equality he might have had laying it all aside and took on a new form or a different nature of being a man and so became a servant.

"8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Therefore being FOUND in FASHION or in the FORM of a man, a human being, he humbled himself even further, and BECAME OBEDIENT unto death and not just any death, but he humbled himself to the point so low that he was willing to die a death by crucifixion on a cross.

"9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:"

WHEREFORE or for this very reason of become OBEDIENT even unto death on the cross Almighty God has also HIGHLY EXALTED him and has GIVEN him a name which is ABOVE EVERY other name.

"10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow , of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;"

THAT or so that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow. That is to say EVERY knee in HEAVEN and EVERY knee in the Earth and EVERY knee UNDER the Earth shall bow at the NAME of JESUS.

"11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

AND so that EVERY tongue in heaven and in the Earth and UNDER the Earth should ALSO CONFESS that Jesus the anointed one of Almighty God is LORD to bring GLORY to Almighty God the Father.

"12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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."

WHEREFORE of for this reason that EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue shall confess the Jesus is Lord then you my beloved brothers and sister in the Lord, just as you have ALWAYS obeyed in the past, not just in my PRESENCE ONLY, but NOW much MORE in my absence I want you to work out your OWN salvation without me having to lead you every step of the way, because now you need to do this on your OWN with great FEAR and TREMBLING before Almighty God.

To ME this verse teaches me that walking uprightly before God is a SERIOUS MATTER that is not to be taken lightly.

"13. For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

FOR or because it is God through the Holy Spirit that is WORKING IN you leading and guiding you into all truth in both the giving you the DESIRE in your heart to DO good and the STRENGTH to actually DO that which in your own strength would not be possible to do and this is what brings pleasure to God to hear and obey his voice.

"14. Do all things without murmurings and disputing:"

So then, do ALL things WITHOUT murmuring or complaining and without disputing or arguing.

"15. That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world;"

So that you will be found BLAMELESS, and HARMLESS, the sons of God WITHOUT rebuke, IN the MIDST of a crooked and perverse nation, AMONG whom you SHINE as LIGHT in the world.

The Greek word that is translated as "harmless" here also means to be found INNOCENT, to be found PURE or NOT mixed with any evil, and to be meek or simple. And the thing that some Christians have missed is that God desires this of his people right here, right now IN the very middle of a WICKED and PERVERSE world so that we we be EXAMPLES to the world that there is a BETTER WAY to live than living in violence and hatred and fear.

"16. Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain."

To ME I see Paul as being very concerned about his flock, that is to say the people to whom he has preached the gospel. I see Paul being concerned that all the saints CONTINUE to hold forth the word of TRUTH, the word of God that produces life in those who believe in order that he may rejoice at the return of Jesus, because if the saints do NOT continue or ENDURE unto the END, then he would have run and labored in VAIN.

There are some Christians who believe and teach that once a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and savior, then they are forever saved and can never lose their salvation. As for ME I believe that any individual Christian can BECOME FULLY PERSUADED in his or her own heart and mind they THEY shall never be drawn away from God and therefore will take the steps needed to insure that they their self will not ever fall away from God to the point of losing their right to obtain eternal life in the world to come. However, I do NOT believe that this is an AUTOMATIC condition that is automatically applied to every believer the very moment that confess Jesus as their Lord and savior. In other words, I do NOT believe in the false doctrine of ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED nor do I believe in the FALSE doctrine of ETERNAL SECURITY. For a deeper understanding on these teachings and what the word of TRUTH actually teaches us please read the in-depth study called "DOES THE BIBLE TEACH THAT ONCE A PERSON IS SAVED THEN THEY ARE ALWAYS SAVED?", but for now lets us continue with this verse by verse study of the book of Philippians.

"17. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

The word "YEA" here means yet, nevertheless, howbeit, yet doubtless and not withstanding. In other words, Paul is saying no matter if you remain faithful and IF I be persecuted or even martyred because I preached to you, then I myself shall still have JOY and rejoice with you all.

"18. For the same cause also do you joy, and rejoice with me."

Or because of this SAME reason you ALSO have JOY and rejoice with me. Or more precisely both I and you STIR UP JOY in us to rejoice for each other. You see there are times when we do NOT SEE, but we walk BY FAITH so then in these times we COUNT it ALL JOY because BY FAITH we KNOW that what we are BELIEVING for will come into being if we faint not.

"19. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheous shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when know your state."

BUT or nevertheless I trust in or Lord Jesus to send Timothy very soon to be with you in order that I ALSO may be comforted WHEN I KNOW or hear for myself how you are truly doing. For me I get comfort from these kind of verses, because I can see that even great disciples of Jesus experienced DOUBT and uncertainty and desired to just KNOW by SEEING on occasion. Walking BY FAITH all the time is not the easiest thing to do and sometimes it is good to HEAR and SEE the RESULTS of what you have been believing to come to pass rather than continuing on by FAITH. This is WHY testimonials and praise reports are so encouraging, because it brings COMFORT to those who are always using their FAITH for others. Just try to image yourself praying and BELIEVING God for things in the lives of others and NEVER ever hearing of seeing these things come into being, even though deep down in your heart you know that many of them have come of pass. Even the strongest prayer warrior becomes discouraged after awhile if they are not encouraged by a good report on occasion. So never fall short of giving God praise and glory for answered prayer before others, because it may be that one of your dear brothers and sisters in the Lord has be praying for you without your knowing that that were laboring for you.

"20. For I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for your state."

Here Paul is simply saying that he knows no one else who will care for these saints at Philippi with the same care that he himself cares for them.

"21. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's,"

For or because it seemed to Paul that every one else he knew were seeking things to pleased and helped themselves rather than seeking the needs of others who belonged to Jesus Christ. Or it could mean that nearly everyone was seeking carnal things as opposed to seeking the things of the kingdom of God.

"22. But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with a father, he has served with me in the gospel."

However, Timothy you KNOW, because you have seen the PROOF of his loyalty in serving right along with me in the preaching of the gospel.

"23. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me."

Therefore or for this reason I hope to send Timothy to you presently or immediately just as soon as I see HOW it will go with me. Perhaps referring to whether he lives of dies, or whether he is set free or remains in prison.

"24. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly."

Or nonetheless Paul is trusting or believing God that he will live and will be set free shortly that he himself would be able to come to see them personally. That is Paul's hope and what he is believing God to bring to pass.

"25. Yet I suppose it is necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants."

YET or not withstanding I suppose to best or needful to go ahead and send you my brother Epaphroditus who is also my companion who labors along side with me. He is a fellow soldier in Jesus Christ, but he is more than that he is your messenger and also he that ministered to my desires.

"26. For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because that you had heard that he had been sick."

Or now that I think about it some more I think it best that I send to you my brother, because he has longed after you and I have seen how full his heaviness is for you seeing that when he was sick you heard that he was sick. So evidently these saints in Philippi must have prayed for Epaphroditus to be healed and because of this he had compassion for them.

"27. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow."

Because INDEED my brother was sick and not just sick he was very near DEATH, but God (because of your PRAYERS) had mercy on him and upon me as well, because I would have missed him so much if he would have died. Now I placed "because of your prayers" in parentheses because this in my opinion that I arrived at by reading between the lines so to speak and REASONING why would he have compassion on these saints at Philippi if they did NOT pray for him when he was near death? I appears to ME that Paul himself did NOT have the faith in this particular circumstance to believe God fully for his brothers healing, because he states that God had mercy on him. Sometimes we cam be so close to someone that it becomes difficult to fully TRUST God to heal them. Sometimes it is difficult to get beyond just having HOPE that they will be healed, and this is alright because we have EACH OTHER to hold us us in prayer when our own faith is weak.

"28. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

Therefore or for this reason I sent him with far more earnestness and zeal than I would have sent Timothy so that when you see my brother Epaphroditus again you may rejoice and that I be less sorrowful than you. In other words, this whole chapter seems to be about Paul being sorrowful for the saints in Philippi because they are sorrowful for his bonds and persecution because of Paul reaching the gospel to them. I do do see Paul want to be less sorrowful than some one else, because that would disagree with what Paul is teaching us in this epistle or letter and that is to put the needs of OTHERS above our own needs.

"29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation."

Therefore RECEIVE my brother with gladness in the Lord and give him the honor he deserves seeing his reputation.

"30. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."

Because it was for the work of Christ or for the work of the gospel that was the reason he became sick and near death not giving himself the rest he needed to stay healthy, but instead he worked more than he should have worked in order to make up for you lack of service or work toward me. Now this could be referring back to verse 25 where we see that Epaphroditus ministered to the WANTS of Paul. The word "wants" here means necessities or needs. This could mean Paul's own personal needs or it could mean the needs of the ministry. Remember int he book of Acts we read that the apostles appoints men full of the Holy Spirit to meet the needs of the congregation while they gave themselves to prayer and ministering the word. So this could mean that Paul was having to minister to these saints at Philippi AGAIN for the things that they should have ALREADY learned and put into practice therefore they LACKED in their duty as a believer to grow up spiritually and this lack caused both Paul and his brother to work all the much more.

Chapter 3

"1. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe."

Paul could be saying lastly my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord I admonish you to REJOICE in the Lord. It is no brother to me to write to you again and again about these same things because it makes you safe or more assured of remaining steadfast in the Lord.

"2. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision."

The use of the word dogs in the Bible refers to that which is unclean or unworthy. So then Paul is warning us to beware of those people who throw the gospel back in your face, and to also beware of those who give themselves over to doing evil. Then he warns us about those who cut away the flesh. Perhaps those of the circumcision or perhaps those who cut and mutilate their flesh.

"3. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."

For or because we are those whose while we may be circumcised in the flesh we worship God in the SPIRIT and rejoice in Jesus Christ and therefore have NO TRUSTING in our own flesh.

"4. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:"

Although I myself would have the confidence to trust in the flesh. For you see IF any other man would think that he or she has the confidence that they should trust in their flesh to be saved, then I tell you that I all the more have a greater confidence than they to trust in my flesh.

"5. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;"

Because I myself was circumcised the eighth day being of the stock of Israel and of the tribe of Benjamin, who am a Hebrew above all Hebrews. And as concerning the law I am a Pharisee.

"6. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law , blameless.

And concerning zeal just consider how I have persecuted the church. And concerning righteousness or me keeping the law I am found blameless.

"7. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

But all these things that I once considered gain to me to boast of my accomplishments I now count them as nothing for the sake of Christ. In other words, I would rather boast in Jesus Christ than to have the praise of other men for that which I do in my own strength.

"8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"

Yes to me there is no doubt. I would much the more rather consider the praise of other men a loss to me because I have found a much more excellent way which is through the KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the putting away of boasting in my own flesh and consider this pride as nothing more than manure so that I my have the anointing of Almighty God in my life that strengthens me to do the works that brings my God and my Lord pleasure.

"9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

AND to be found IN Jesus Christ NOT relying on my OWN works of righteousness which is the keeping of the law in my OWN STRENGTH. BUT RATHER that I work the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God which is the keeping of the law THROUGH the FAITH of the ANOINTING of the Holy Spirit. This is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God the keeping of his commandments BY, THROUGH or WITH the FAITH that he has given all of us.

"10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"

SO THAT I have KNOW Jesus and the POWER of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings that I may be made to conforms myself to lay down my life for him as he did for me.

"11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."

So that IF by any means I might be able to be counted worthy to obtain the honor to be resurrected and given eternal life.

"12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

And NOT that I consider my self as though I have ALREADY attained this goal or as if I consider myself as ALREADY being PERFECT before God. But RATHER I follow after these things so that I may take hold of these things even as my Lord Jesus Christ has somehow taken hold of me not letting go of me.

"13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,"

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, I want you to know and understand that I do NOT CONSIDER myself as having ALREADY taken hold of ETERNAL LIFE in the sense that I can NEVER LOSE out on OBTAINING eternal life. BUT this ONE THING I do DO and that is I FORGET those things which are behind me (perhaps things like the old way I viewed what pleased God, and pehaps all the falling short and messing up I did in trying to do that which God commands us to do), I forget those things because they are now BEHIND me, they are in the PAST. But rather NOW this moment that is PRESENT before me I reach forth to do those things that are st before me to do.

"14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Yes I press on and continue to pursue that mark of excellence that mark of PERFECTION so that I may OBTAIN the PRIZE of ETERNAL LIFE that is set before by accomplishing this HIGH CALLING of being found without spot of blemish before Almighty God which is only made possible through the ANOINTING, that same anointing that Jesus was anointed with by Almighty God, the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

"15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be other wise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."

Therefore or for this reason as many of you who are pressing toward this high calling of being found PERFECT before God be of this same mind that the ONLY WAY to accomplish this goal is THROUGH the ANOINTING of the Holy Spirit that very SAME Holy Spirit that EMPOWER Jesus to live his live WITHOUT SIN. And IF any of you think differently. then Almighty God shall open your eyes to the TRUTH and REVEAL even this truth to you.

"16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing."

None the less. that which we already agree upon lets us walk by that which we already agree upon and let us mind the same thing. Or in other words, WALK in that which YOU yourself KNOW to be right and good before Almighty God and I will do the SAME, because to HIM that KNOWS to DO GOOD and does it NOT, then to HIM it is SIN. ( As a side note I always try not to place on any one anything but to OBEY the leading of the Holy Spirit, unless of course I am aware that they KNOW a certain thing is a sin and it is made CLEAR in the word of God that it is a SIN, such as adultery or fornication, then I will confront them with their transgression. Other wise I let the Father lead his own children in the way he sees to lead them. For ME I believe that we are preachers and teachers of the word and we are NOT to LORD over those who are growing in the Lord. Consider yourself when you were yet young in the Lord and how you fell at every turn. We are to help our brothers and sisters to grow in the Lord and not to condemn them.)

"17. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example."

So then my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord be you followers of me as I follow the example that Jesus left for us to follow which is to live our live without sin. And mark or take note of those who do pattern their life after this manner of striving to live WITHOUT SIN even as you yourselves have us who set this example before you to follow.

"18. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:"

Because I tell you my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord that there are many who walk not uprightly before God as I have told you before and even now tell you with many tears in my eyes for them. They SAY that they are Christians, but I tell you that they are nothing more than ENEMIES of the cross of Jesus Christ.

"19. Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)"

And their end will be destruction in that eternal fire which is called the second death because their God is their our lusts, and that which they consider their glory will be their shame those who do focus upon thing things of this world.

"20. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:"

But as for us our focus is on the things of heaven from where we do now look for our savior Jesus the anointed one of Almighty God who is our Lord.

"21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

Who when he comes again shall change our corruptible bodies so that they will be fashioned like his glorious and eternal body. And he will do this wondrous work according to the same way that he was able and is able to subdue all things unto himself which is THROUGH the ANOINTING of the Holy Spirit of Almighty God.

Chapter 4

"1. Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved."

Therefore or for this reason that Jesus is coming again to give to those who are found to be faithful and without sin when he comes their reward of eternal life for obeying the commandments of God, then therefore you my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord who I long for and who are my JOY and my CROWN, I implore you to STAND FAST in the Lord who I dearly belove in the Lord.

"2. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord."

I beseech or I BEG of you Euodias and Syntyche that you also be of this SAME mind to STAND FAST in the Lord. (I am not sure who these two are, but in the beginning Paul greeted the saints or believers and also made mention of the DEACONS and the BISHOPS so perhaps these are elders in the church at Philippi)

"3. And I in treat you also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life."

Now Paul is implore all those who are TRULY FOLLOWING the Lord to help the women that worked along side of Paul to preach and teach the gospel. Paul also mentions Clement who could perhaps be a bishop of deacon along with those other fellow laborers who Paul declares that their names are written in the books of life.

"4. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."

This is one of my favorite verses which I see as Paul teaching us to simply begin REJOICING in the Lord as as act of our WILL not depending on whether we FELL like rejoicing or not. And he teaches us to DO this REJOICING ALWAYS and declares to us as if to say again and again REJOICE, REJOICE and AGAIN I say REJOICE! Proverbs teaches us that a man has JOY simply by the ANSWER of his of her MOUTH. So then it is NOT the circumstance in which you are in but RATHER it is HOW you ANSWER that circumstance that determines whether or not you will have JOY in the midst of suffering. For a deeper understand of this please read the study "You can have JOY in the MIDST of SUFFERING!"

"5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand."

Let you moderation or let it be know to all men that you do every thing in moderation and NOT in GLUTTONY or over use. For ME I believe that one can drink wine or an alcoholic beverage in moderation so long as they do NOT get DRUNK. Also keep in mind that just two beers can cause one to be considered as being legally DRUNK when it come to driving a motorized vehicle. So do NOT drink and drive. And DO NOT DRINK if alcohol is one of your WEAKNESSES. WHY put your self in the WAY of TEMPTATION. For those who are prone or tempted to become DRUNK then stay completely away from all alcohol. I say this because the dogmatically teach that drinking is a sin has lead many away from the Lord, when the truth of the matter is the Jesus drank wine and even turn water into wine when he was asked to do so by his Mother. If you believe that your drinking will cause a brother or sister to fall, then do NOT drink, but at the same time do NOT JUDGE and CONDEMN those fellow brothers and sisters who drink in MODERATION without getting DRUNK. Personally I do NOT like the taste of any kind of alcohol so I myself do NOT DRINK for this REASON, to ME it just TASTES bad. However, I find no fault in any brother or sister who drinks, IF SO BE they drink WITHOUT getting DRUNK. This word MODERATION can apply to every thing in life. To ME I find OVER EATING to be that which some Christians do not even consider as a sin.

You see things like being a "WORK A HOLIC" to ME is not letting MODERATION rule and reign in ones life. One can be addicted to diet soda or coffee and not realize that these little things are controlling them, when they themselves should be in control. I hope you understand what I am trying to say, we all have things in our life that we need to work on without trying to lord over our brothers and sister in the Lord. If however there is something that is pressing upon you concerning another brother or sister in the Lord then begin by reading and applying this next verse of scripture and ask God for WISDOM to guide you in want HE wants you to do.

"6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Paul is teaching us here NOT to worry or to be anxious about ANYTHING, but RATHER that we take EVERY THING that would cause us to worry or fear to the Lord in PRAYER and supplication or the making of requests or petitions WITH THANKSGIVING. In other words, let us make our request unto God in prayer WITH a THANKFUL HEART considering that God not only HEARS our prayer but also GIVES to us our desires that we have REQUESTED of him. The word of God teaches us that the REASON that we HAVE NOT is BECAUSE we ASK NOT and if we do ask and do NOT RECEIVE, then it is BECAUSE we have ASKED with the heart or intention of consuming that which we ask upon our own fleshy lust. In other words, a SELFISH prayer is seldom answered.

"7. And the peace of God, which passethall understanding, shall keepyour hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

But IF we ask with a THANKFUL heart that which is ACCORDING to the WILL of God then we KNOW that we shall HAVE the DESIRES that we have REQUESTED of God to receive. And this PEACE of God which can not be adequately explained to you unless you yourself have experience this peace, but God will GIVE this PEACE to those who pray with a THANKFUL HEART knowing that their prayer in heard and the answer is on the way, this PEACE shall KEEP their hearts AND their minds through the ANOINTING of Jesus. This PEACE will be a KNOWING or WITNESS from the Holy Spirit that will KEEP your mind and heart stead fast in FAITH until you RECEIVE that which you have requested from God.

"8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Finally my brothers and sisters, after you have done all these things then lastly what so ever things are true and what so ever things are honest, and what so ever things are just, pure, lovely and are of a good report I want you all to THINK upon these kind of things because the MIND that is stayed of focused upon these godly things shall be KEPT in PERFECT PEACE, therefore if there be ANY virtue or praise then think upon these things.

"9. Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

Paul is teaching us that all those things which we have learned. The things which we have heard. And the things we have seen to be in the apostles and early church we are to DO and then the PEACE of Almighty God will be WITH US as well.

"10. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again; wherein you were also careful, but you lacked opportunity."

But I Paul have rejoiced in the Lord greatly because you again have shown your concern for me, even though you lacked the opportunity to show your concern for me with material gifts.

"11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

I am am nit saying this because I desire any material gifts from you because I have LEARNED that no matter what circumstance I find myself to be in I have LEARNED to be CONTENT.

"12. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."

For you see, I have LEARNED to be be CONTENT in BOTH being ABASED or made to live in a humble state of having lack and also to be CONTENT and not prideful of boastful when I am living in abundance. For you see, every where and in every thing I have been INSTRUCTED or TAUGHT and therefore have LEARNED to be full AND to be hungry. I have LEARNED to be CONTENT when I have all I need and more and also when I have suffered need. And YOU can LEARN this as well.

"13. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."

For you see my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, the REASON that I can do ALL these things is that I do them THROUGH the ANOINTING of the Holy Spirit this SAME SPIRIT that was IN Jesus is who STRENGTHENS me to be able to DO all these things. And this SAME Holy Spirit is made available to ALL who BELIEVE.

"14.Notwithstanding you have well done, that you did communicate with my affliction."

None the less you have done quite well in that you did COMMUNICATE with my affliction.

"15. Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you only."

Now I also want to make it known to you saints here at Philippi that when I began to preach the gospel and when I departed from Macedonia I want you to know that no other church that I planted ever COMMUNICATED with me as in this are of GIVING and RECEIVING. You are the ONLY church that ever gave to me of your material things.

"16. For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again unto my necessity."

For even when I was in Thessalonica you over and over again or at least twice you gave to my need.

"17. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account."

And again I say these things NOT because I desire a GIFT from you, but RATHER I want you to keep on having this SPIRIT of GIVING to others because it will produce FRUIT to your account in both heaven and in Earth.

"18. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God."

I want you to know that I have all I need and I do abound in plenty because I have received of my brother Epaphroditus the things that were sent form you. I want you to know that I received that sweet odor or perfume that you sent, which I know was a sacrifice for you and it is accepted of not only me but is well pleasing in the eyes of God.

"19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

And I want you to KNOW that my God SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED according to the riches of HIS glory BY Christ Jesus. I want you to KNOW that God will meet your ever need as you give of yourself to meet the needs of others.

"20. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

To Almighty God our Father be all the GLORY both NOW and FOR EVER, AMEN.

"21. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you."

Say hello to every believer in Jesus Christ who is there with you for me and every believer who is here with me says hello to you as well. They send their peace and grace also.

"22. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household."

I want you to know that ALL the saints send their greetings and especially those of the household of Caesar.

"23. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. [To the Philippians written from Rome, by Epaphroditus.]"

Again the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be WITH you ALL, Amen. [So evidently this letter was written by the hand of Paul's brother Epaphroditus to the Philippian church from Rome even though it appears to be a first person narrative by Paul. It may be that Paul dictated the letter or spoke of these things and his brother took it upon himself to actually write the letter, perhaps because Paul was in prison.]

One of the main themes that I perceived or learned from this book above any other is that we are to consider the needs of OTHERS ABOVE the needs our OWN needs. Sure we must meet the needs of our family, but I believe what Paul is teaching us here is that some of the things we thing our our needs are things that we can do WITHOUT so that the TRUE needs of OTHERS can be meet by our SACRIFICE.

May God bless you richly as you continue to seek the truth of the whole word of God. Always be FAITHFUL and forget not to share the word of TRUTH with your fellow man.

Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Mark.