This week Pastor Blaine preached from Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. He took time to explain what it must have been like for Paul, chained to a guard in a Roman prison. Yet Paul’s disposition in his letter from prison isn’t sad or full of regret. On the contrary, Paul rejoices from prison; he even rejoices in the very chains he now wears because the gospel is advancing since he is in prison. Paul set in his heart to live each day as though it might be his last, and because this was so, he sought to live it for Christ. For Paul, “to live is Christ.” At the same time, Paul did not concern himself with what might happen to him, for if he died he knew he would go to be with his Lord. For Paul, “to die is gain.” Like Paul, God has placed us on this earth to do something. He has providentially ordained the number of our days. Our concern shouldn’t be how many days we have left, but what the Lord would have me to do today, with they day he has given me.
1. To Advance the Gospel (Philippians 1:12–14) “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
1. Where is Paul writing from (cf. 1:7, 13–14)?
2. What is the result of Paul’s imprisonment (1:12)? How has it served “to advance the gospel” (1:13)?
3. What two groups get to hear the gospel (1:13)? Who else benefits from Paul’s imprisonment (1:14)? What is the result of Paul’s imprisonment in their lives (1:14)?
2. Christ Is Proclaimed (Philippians 1:15–18a) “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.”
1. What is Paul’s attitude toward his critics who “proclaim Christ out of rivalry” (1:15–18)? Why is this so?
2. What is the most important thing to Paul (1:18)?
3. How do you respond to your critics? What’s the most important thing(s) to you?
3. To Live Is Christ, and To Die Is Gain (Philippians 1:18b–26) “Yes, and I will rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”
1. Read 1:19–20. Does anything seem odd? What does Paul believe will result from the church’s prayers and the work of the Spirit (1:19)? How might Christ be honored through Paul (1:20)? How do you reconcile v. 19 and v. 20?
2. What is Paul’s perspective concerning his death (1:21–26)? What is Paul’s perspective concerning his life (1:21–26)?
3. How does Paul explain the “gain” he gets through his death (1:23)? Remember Paul’s condition. He doesn’t say I’ll be free or I’ll no longer be in pain. But he says I get Christ. God is his greatest treasure. If this were not the case, Paul couldn’t say this and believe it.
Application
1. How do you respond to difficulties and suffering? Can you say like Paul, “my imprisonment [difficulty/suffering] is for Christ” to be used by him and for him?
2. Are you at a place where you can say “to live is Christ, and to die is gain”? If not, what sorts of things are of more value to you than Christ? Your friends? Your family? Your career?
Further Study on Suffering and Joy/Delighting in God
D. A. Carson, How Long O’ Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006).
John Piper and Justin Taylor, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006).
