NOTES for Php 1:1-11
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: |
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. |
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, |
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, |
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; |
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: |
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 defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. |
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. |
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; |
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; |
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. |
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The main thought and distinctive tone of today's reading is gratitude. The apostle Paul thanks God for those people in whom He "began a good work": for their existence, for their being turned to Christ, and for their sharing in the apostle's own missionary service. He writes to them that he always prays for them with joy.
It is truly a great happiness when one can pray for people with joy and gratitude. Too often we take for granted what should be the theme of joyful thanksgiving prayer. This is understandable in the psychology of a conqueror and colonist: conquering and developing new territories for the Kingdom, a person becomes used to looking ahead, toward lands still foreign and hearts still not belonging to the Kingdom, forgetting to rejoice and give thanks for those who already belong to this Kingdom. But for the apostle Paul, the church in Philippi was important and beloved, even though he had not spent long in that city. And his expansive joy and gratitude, illuminating the whole letter, is an important example for us. The love of Christ in the brothers and sisters needs us to support it and not forget one another.
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Readings for 23 July 2025
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