Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.
will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understandi
I- IDENTIFY THE GENRE
According to the authors of Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, the book of Philippians falls into the category of the Epistles. More specifically, it is a prison epistle, penned by Paul from prison and in a sub-genre category of Family Letter.[1] “Pauline authorship of this letter has not been seriously doubted. Paul refers to himself as the author in 1:1. Date. The letter refers to Paul’s imprisonment (1:13), indicating that Paul was a Roman prisoner at the time.”[2]
II- GENERIC OR INTRINSIC CONCEPTION
If I had to rename this section of scripture, a simple title could be “I Thank G-d for You.” Paul, a Jewish rabbi for Yeshua, is showing deep gratitude for his fellow believers – his spiritual partners- for spreading the good news of Yeshua faithfully over time. He is not just asking for prayer, but he is keenly aware that his calling is both to reach the lost and to intercede in prayer for those partners in the faith. A two-way, altruistic, compassionate, and caring partnership is demonstrated in his desire to lift others with prayers and encouragement for them.
Paul reassures his partners that God is not done with them yet. Adonai is continuing “his work in the believers until Yeshua’s return. This wisdom is hopeful and helpful in reducing and removing discouragement because G-d is not done refining their character and designing their destiny just yet. Clearly, Paul is not only concerned with himself but also wishes to coach his fellow believers in not giving up.
Psychologically speaking, it is comforting to his fellow believers that very soon, their works will bear much fruit, even if now, they are being persecuted for Yeshua’s sake. (This is a reminder to me of "Galatians 6:9 where Paul says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Thayer’s Greek Lexicon lists “work” as “Ergon,” meaning work, deed, doing, labour.[3] It is interesting to note that the labour begins with the Lord working in us.
In paragraph two of Paul’s writing is the expression of devotion to his spiritual partners in the Messiah. His devotion goes past the head and straight to the heart, even so far as mentioning his feelings and how much he longs to be with his beloved, favored friends. There is a sense of togetherness or unity implied in his affirming that the friends he has are “sharing” with Paul in his imprisonment, his defending of the faith, and confirming of the truth.
Finally, like a father going off to war, there are what seem to be temporary farewell-like instructions. The list of reminders includes these life-giving words of wisdom to the saints: overflow with love, keep growing in knowledge and understanding, live clean and without blame by keeping your mind on what matters most. This passionate exhortation concludes with another reassuring word- that their righteous character will lead to spiritual fruit (love, joy, peace…) and of course, salvation, therefore bringing glory and praise to God.
III- OBSERVATIONS
The principles evident in this passage are many. As future leaders in sharing the Good News of Yeshua, we learn from Paul that it is wise to display gratitude to our fellow spiritual partners and believers in Yeshua authentically. These are not just words, but there is an attitude one can perceive as we see Paul considering the other believers not as church potatoes or as onlookers, but as shareholders in the great work of preaching the Gospel.
Paul’s attitude is compassionate and not selfish, not always asking for prayer for himself but seeing his calling to intercede for others. It might have been easy for Paul to view his partners as inactive or less important, simply there to bless him. Instead, Paul’s attitude is absolutely team-focused. His devotion to his spiritual friends is pouring out of him as we read his words. In addition to imitating his devotion to fellow believers, his ability to unify others, and his ability to encourage, he is not remiss in leaving instructions.
As I get older, I notice, it is easy to only encourage, and it is easy to be remiss in sharing instructions and wisdom with younger believers. The principle is clear that our calling in Yeshua cannot be only to reach the lost, but it must also be to truly and authentically raise up or elevate the spiritual wellness of those God puts in our path.
IV- INTERPRETATION
If we wish to be great like our brother Paul, we must seek to emulate or imitate his altruistic, devoted, and pastoral attitude. G-d forbid we find ourselves only asking for prayer for our missions and not interceding for others. Heaven, forbid we find ourselves falsely thinking we do what we do without leaning on the prayers and unity of our fellow believers. Let us not be remiss. It is easy to be grateful and maybe even to remain in unity without giving proper instruction or exhortation to those who are younger in the faith or who need our encouragement. As an older believer, it is easy to forget that we are called to strengthen others in the faith.
Examples of this can be found in Luke 22:32 when Yeshua said to Simon, “But I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Also, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day appro
V- APPLICATION
Considering what we have read, let us seek to glorify G-d – not just in winning souls- but by becoming living examples to our brethren. Let us be devoted to our spiritual partners in the faith, interceding for them regularly. Let us remind the believers who do not go with us to the mission field, that they share with us the great mission.
Everything we do individually, we do as a spiritual team. We are not lone rangers in the mission field. We need to express this especially to our financial and prayerful supporters. Again, for the glory of God, we must encourage but not forget to exhort, inspire, and instruct.
Here are some questions for life application:
- Is it difficult to spend time praying for the needs of your supporters or friends in the faith? Why is that the case? Or why is this easy for you?
- Describe a time in your life where you encouraged or instructed a fellow believer and you lived to see the fruit, or the difference you made in their lives?
- Describe a time when you might have missed an opportunity to lovingly and caringly instruct by sharing your experience, strength, and hope?
- What are some ways missionaries and organizations can be more unified in reaching souls for the lost?
- What work is God doing in you today? How far have you come, and in what ways can you see that he is not done with you yet?
[1] William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr., Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017), 544.
[2] Michael Rydelnik and Michael Vanlanginham, eds., The Moody Bible Commentary: A One-Volume Commentary on the Whole Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014), 4606.
[3] Thayer, Joseph Henry, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Being Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1889).