This is a great passage dealing with Paul’s work as an evangelist. An evangelist has a desire to go and get around. Being imprisoned must have been eating at Paul yet his attitude was one of joy because he could still share the gospel. Even more, others were becoming bolder in their presentation of the gospel.
Okay, some were legitimate in their work while others spread the gospel out of selfishness and jealousy. Here is a thought about those who were jealous and spitefully against Paul. Could they have been jealous that Paul was the one in prison and getting all the attention from the Roman leadership? Could they have been working diligently in the province of Rome for a number of years and always overlooked? Maybe they said to themselves, “Who is this Paul that he gets arrested in another country and then arrives here as a prisoner and gains immediate access to leaders who want to hear his message. I have struggled for years and no one ever arrested me. Paul must be a real trouble maker. I’ll show them. I’ll spread the Word of God with greater fervor!” Just a thought.
Paul doesn’t seem to mind the jealousy as long as the Word of God is being spread. Paul takes great strength in the new courage and fearless efforts of preachers in the regions surrounding Philippi. The message of Jesus was spreading at a remarkable rate because the message of peace was worth facing arrest.
To add to Paul’s moral strength, he receives word that the churches of Philippi are praying for him. The work of the Holy Spirit was evidence of the prayers. The Spirit works among the sincere prayers of those who love Christ. Paul knows he will face a moment before an earthly judge, and he hopes that that moment will not find him at a loss for words. The prayers of others and the presence of the Spirit of God is where he would cling for continued strength – even if it meant death.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
Death was just a moment between being with Jesus forever and leaving this life for good. There is not any greater gain than to be in the presence of Christ. Should I stay or should I go? Stay and I can still be of good. Go and I am forever in the presence of the one I love. To stay, I continue in the work of Christ. To go and, well, is anything better than being with Jesus?
Paul’s concern, however, was for the wellbeing of the church. He knew his chosen future but he did not know of the future of the church. The church in Philippi may have still been a young work and Paul did not want it to lose faith in his death – his death was not important and he wanted them to understand.
He wanted their joy in Christ Jesus to overflow. This could only happen if they progressed and had joy in faith. Where does faith come from? Not Paul but Jesus.
He then gives them a charge. Be faithful to the gospel in character and purity regardless of the outcome. Jesus mattered most and if Paul’s death caused the people to become unruly then his work would have been for not. Paul wanted them to work together for one goal – spreading the gospel without fear of the repercussions.
To really love Christ means you will have to endure the suffering such love may cause. In that time period, suffering for loving Christ was a normal part of Christianity. I cannot imagine what Christians of today would act like. We say we will stand up and never forsake Jesus. So did Peter. American Christians have never faced this kind of persecution.
Paul asked for the church to remain sound in their faith. He tells them to not be frightened. This is accomplished by staying together with other believers. The church was never meant to be an individual sport – strength comes from sharing and serving with one another. One spirit as one man is a beautiful image of the body of Christ. Just imagine what you can do when you are engaged in the church.
- How would you act if your home was going to be bulldozed because you held a prayer meeting in it?
- How would you react if you stood before a firing squad ready to be shot for loving Jesus and telling others about Him?
- How engaged are you in the church? How much more could you be doing?
- Is death gain for you? It can be if you know Jesus as both Lord and Savior (Read Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8-10; and 10:13).
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