Ignite Day 14 Just One: Digging Deeper
June 13, 2019
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Philippians 1:12-20
15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.
18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
The Original Intent
1) It seems like Paul is saying his suffering is actually emboldening others to share the gospel as well. Is this true? How is it possible? (verses 12-14)
Yes, it’s true! Paul’s suffering was used by the God who turns all things into platforms for His goodness and glory to be made undeniably clear. Paul was writing this letter, while imprisoned, to the church in Philippi and, understandably, wanted to assure them of the mysterious truth he had long come to know, “that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12)
It would be easy to run in fear on hearing Paul’s news, and he wanted the church to know the truth. He wasn’t plastering on a happy face, this wasn’t an attempt to get more people imprisoned, Paul’s purpose was to declare the power of the gospel!
In his letter to Timothy, also written while in prison, Paul says about preaching the gospel, “I am bound like a criminal, but the word of God is not bound!”. (2 Timothy 2:9) Paul was imprisoned and had suffered countless persecutions for holding unswervingly to Christ alone, yet still he relentlessly clung tighter. As a result, God used even his harsh circumstances as a means to reach a new group of people, the imperial guard and those who ran in that circle of people.
They knew of Paul, his imprisonment, and the gospel he preached. They witnessed how Paul willingly accepted persecution as normative for the delight of following Jesus.
This is an outrageous gospel that frees people from the inside so that no fear of men can overcome them! (Matthew 10:28) Paul wanted his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to keep running the race of sharing Jesus (2 Timothy 4:7), keep being bold, and keep their eyes on eternity because the gospel is worth it, even for just one!
The Everyday Application
1) It seems like Paul is saying his suffering is actually emboldening others to share the gospel as well. Is this true? How is it possible? (verses 12-14)
It goes entirely against every urge within us, doesn’t it? This counting suffering as a source of encouragement, but here we find it written by the pen of the greatest apostle that, as a direct result of his suffering, Christ was preached, brothers and sisters were encouraged to preach more boldly, and the kingdom of God expanded. The root? Yes, suffering.
Transparently, I’ve long struggled with this passage, feeling as if it were a splinter against tender flesh. How could other believers, upon hearing of Paul’s imprisonment because of the gospel, not run in fear of the same result? Perhaps it felt so splintering, because I couldn’t imagine being encouraged.
But then I read of brothers and sisters all around the world who preached boldly and loved those around them for the sake of the gospel even knowing they would face persecution. If their love for Jesus was worth it to them, how could I, a recipient of the same undeserved, lavish grace, hide away in fear? Was the gospel not worth it to me? Were other souls less precious than my own? Did I really value the now over the forever of eternity?
With conviction from the Holy Spirit, the stories I read stirred me, encouraged me, and emboldened me to share this precious gospel like never before. While reading The Insanity of God, this passage, which I happened to be memorizing at the time, was constantly before me.
The God of all power, sovereignty, and love used the evil of the world, upending it and shifting it, to become a stage for the purpose of declaring His gospel of love and freedom to even more people. Considering the brevity of my vapor-thin life, I want to be part of that kind of kingdom work. A work that lasts far beyond myself into eternity, for the sake of even just one more soul. Yes, even if it means suffering.
The Original Intent
2) How and why would “some preach Christ out of rivalry and vain conceit”? What does Paul’s response reveal about him? (verse 15)
Paul, his word, his preaching, and his public persona carried quite a bit of weight within the early church. He traveled far and wide, strengthening and encouraging and providing wisdom from the Lord wherever He went. In today’s verbiage, Paul had a huge following. Despite his floggings and many forms of persecution, he was greatly respected, honored, and beloved by many. (Acts 20:36-38)
In their sinful human nature, other preachers of the gospel became jealous of Paul’s popularity, wishing for some of the same prestige. (1 Corinthians 3:3-4) They viewed Paul’s imprisonment as a roadblock for Paul’s popularity rankings and were seemingly taking advantage of the situation in order to promote themselves on the stage of the gospel.
Paul responds not with words that try to edge himself over other pastors, but in pointing straight to the power of the gospel. Paul knew that whatever popularity he carried had nothing to do with himself, but only about God doing His mighty work through Paul. Perhaps much of the reason Paul was so well loved was because he understood the gospel’s going forth had nothing to do with him being especially blessed. Rather, Paul viewed himself as unworthy to carry this precious gospel, referring to himself as the “worst of all sinners”. (1 Timothy 1:15)
Preaching wasn’t about Paul, it was always and only about Christ, which is why Paul was able to rejoice when his “competitors” preached the gospel while Paul was stuck in prison. Paul wanted one thing, for the gospel to be declared with all boldness, which was being done, even as Paul sat in prison.
The Everyday Application
2) How and why would “some preach Christ out of rivalry and vain conceit”? What does Paul’s response reveal about him? (verse 15)
Falling into a popularity competition is far too easy for each of us in our own various ways. Envying another’s accomplishments is probably a scenario we’ve all found ourselves in. Whether it’s about ministry success, picture perfect kids, attaining fitness goals, or accomplishing big milestone markers in life, Paul’s heart attitude is an excellent model for each of us.
There is one goal for every believer, and that is Christ is preached. Whatever we are doing, our aim is to bring God glory, even if it’s as menial as eating or drinking. (1 Corinthians 10:31) Every single Christ follower has been gifted with an intentional purpose and special giftings to accomplish that mission. Whatever it is, we are to do it well, keeping our eyes on the goal of bringing God glory, not competing against other brothers or sisters.
Paul says it like this in 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (emphasis added)
Next time you are tempted to fall into jealousy or lean into a competitive spirit against a brother or sister in Jesus, step back and choose instead to celebrate with them. We are each precious and we each have a role in building God’s kingdom!
The Original Intent
3) How does Paul know he will be delivered from prison? (verse 19)
A quick, cursory glance through these verses and it would be easy to think Paul was talking about either his “deliverance” from prison or the “salvation” or his soul, but neither of those take the whole context into consideration.
Paul was speaking of those who were preaching Christ out of envy and vanity and he was transparently sharing how easy and tempting it would be for him to fall into self-focus and discouragement about his own preaching. But he is kept a safe distance from these pitfalls because of his intentional choice to rejoice and celebrate that the gospel is being preached instead of focusing on who is (or isn’t) doing the preaching.
Paul was just as human as any of us and the temptation to make his ministry about himself was a real threat. If we were to slow down, take the meaning of the Greek words into account, and amplify the context of this passage, verse 19 might read like this:
My heart attitude of rejoicing will lead to my vindication and clear conscience. By focusing on rejoicing that the gospel is being preached, I can keep a clear conscience before the Lord. My human tendency is to become discouraged and to fall into self-pity, focusing on my circumstances, but when I choose rejoicing, when I choose thanksgiving for the gospel’s declaration, I am kept safe in my thought-life. Even this inner, heart adjustment to stay away from self-focus is a gift given by the Spirit of Jesus as He works within my heart and is continued because you, my brothers and sisters in Jesus, keep praying for me, asking the Lord to supply and sustain me where I am weak.
The Everyday Application
3) How does Paul know he will be delivered from prison? (verse 19)
Where do you commonly find yourself straying in your private thought life? Maybe you struggle with physical lust or constant comparison or perhaps your struggle is in the negative words you choose to speak to yourself with phrases like, “You’re such an idiot. Why can’t you get it right?” Whatever your familiar weakness, Paul’s model provides a solid antidote. Choose thanksgiving; choose to rejoice over what the Lord is doing through you and others.
Celebrating others’ strengths and victories clears away our tendency to focus on what we don’t have. Be transparent. Share your weaknesses and struggles with other trusted, believing sisters in Jesus and ask them to pray for you. The Holy Spirit will use their prayers to strengthen and encourage you and keep your heart and mind focused on the goodness of the Lord instead of yourself.
Want to go a step farther? Be that place of safety for another sister. Be transparent with her and invite her to share vulnerably with you, then commit to praying for one another in these areas of weakness. Watch what the Lord will do through the gift of your committed prayers and your intentional choice to rejoice!
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