After greeting the followers of Christ at Philippi, the Apostle Paul continues with a very remarkable statement. In chapter 1, verses three through six of his inspired letter he writes: “I thank my God whenever I remember you, always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy, for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Here we learn not only about the people to whom Paul is writing, but about Paul’s heart as well. Of how many people can we say that we thank God every time we remember them? Do we even pray for the people we know, let alone thank God for them? Perhaps it is even more important to ask whether people thank God when they remember us. Do people remember us with pain or bitterness? Does our memory bring disappointment and anger or joy and thankfulness?
Paul gives two reasons for his thankfulness. One is the continuing partnership in the gospel by the followers of Christ at Philippi. Once someone has experienced the grace of God and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, it is natural that he or she will want to share this good news with others as well. One cannot partake of the love of Christ without wanting others to have the same opportunity.
The second reason Paul expresses for his thankfulness is that God is continuing to work in the lives of Christ’s followers. God does not begin to transform someone and then abandon him without bringing his work to completion. Paul does not specifically say what is the work God is doing, but he does describe it as good. One of God’s characteristics is that He is good. It follows, then, that the work God is doing in Christ’s followers is also good.
God will carry on his work to completion “until the day of Christ Jesus.” Without doubt this is a reference to the day when Jesus Christ will return and mankind will be brought to judgment. Some feel that this indicates that Paul and the followers of Christ at Philippi expected Christ to return in the near future. For example, in chapter 4 and verse 5 of this letter Paul writes, “The Lord is at hand.” Certainly everyone would do well to live their lives as if their deeds would be called into judgment at any time. But it is more likely that Paul is commenting on the nature of the work which God is doing rather than the imminence of Christ’s return. The work of God in the follower of Christ is such that it will continue and endure even after the end of their physical life. Whether the return of Christ is near or far, His followers do not need to fear that day because God’s good work in them will have reached completion. God is perfect. Completion of His work is inherent in His action.
As human beings it is easy for us to let our emotions or feelings run away with us. Often, our feelings are unwarranted by the facts of the situation. But Paul was correct in his feelings of joy and thankfulness for the followers of Christ at Philippi. In verses 7 and 8 he writes, “It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus”
Paul can say that he is right to feel this way about the people to whom he is writing because he has them “in his heart.” One thing we can learn from this is that Paul’s feelings were genuine. There was nothing hypocritical about them. What he says is not flattery but a true reflection of his heart. Are our expressions of joy and thanks for other people truly heart-felt?
Paul was also right to feel this way because the Philippian’s partnership with him in the gospel did not depend on external circumstances. Whether Paul was in prison or not made no difference. It is easy to be involved and enthusiastic when exciting things are happening, but what about when trouble comes? One of the wonderful characteristics of the Philippians was that they were still willing partners with Paul even though he was in prison. Paul writes that they share in God’s grace. It is interesting to note that Paul includes his being in prison in God’s grace. How can this be? How can anyone regard hardship as a favor which has been bestowed on them by God? It is because those who are in Christ know that God will bring good out of every situation. As Paul writes in another place, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Again he writes, “…in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) Indeed, a few verses further on in this letter to the Philippians, Paul will relate how his imprisonment has turned out for the good. Can we look beyond our current circumstances and see the good which God is accomplishing through them?
Not only imprisonment on behalf of Christ, but the ability to defend and confirm the gospel is given by God’s grace. The book of Acts records, “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” (Acts 14:3) These miraculous works were evidence of Paul’s apostleship and of God’s approval on his ministry. He writes to another church, “Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.” (2 Corinthians 12:12)
In spite of God’s endorsement of both himself and his ministry, there were some who doubted Paul’s sincerity. He often had to defend his apostleship. It may be that this is the reason why he assures the people at Philippi with an oath before God that he is right in his feelings towards them. He is not lying when he assures his readers that he longs for them. He longs for them because he loves them. But this love is not merely his own. It has its source in the love that God has showed us through Jesus Christ. In another place Paul writes, “But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) It is this kind of sacrificial love which Paul has for the followers of Christ at Philippi, and it is this kind of love that he will urge them to have, further on in this letter.