“If the church didn’t have this book of the Bible you’ve been studying, what would they be missing out on?” - Dr. Terry Eves
Today’s topic: The Letter to the Philippians.
Joy. Unity. Fellowship. Perseverance. Encouragement. Exemplifications of Christian character. These are just a few thematic and key points that may come to mind when thinking about the Letter to the Philippians.
If the church didn't have the Letter to the Philippians, what would the church be missing out on?
We could answer this question by talking about the beauty of Paul's continual thankfulness and all-encompassing prayerfulness (1:3–11; 4:6). We could discuss Paul's emphatic and persistent joy amidst trials (1:18, 19; 2:2, 17–18; 3:1; 4:1, 4, 10). We could even discuss how Paul views his brothers and sisters in Christ (spoiler: as loving companions; for instance, see the language used in 4:2–3). All these things influence the modern church via this letter’s content.
However, there’s a different way I want to approach my answer—albeit it’s just one possible answer to the main question. The way I understand it is this: the church would miss out on a letter illustrating how it should live with the imminent return of Christ before their eyes. Where do I get that idea? Let’s ask a different sort of question. . . . Why? Why does Paul feel this way about the believer’s joy, unity, fellowship, perseverance, and encouragement? Answer: The Lord is at hand (Phil. 4:5, ESV).
What does the Lord’s imminent return have to do with the exhortations and themes in Philippians? It’s their cause and their cure.
Let’s dive into this in three sections: Historical (Where Does He Say It?, Part 1), Theological (What Does He Mean by It?, Part 2), and Literary (How Does He Say It?, Part 3).
Historical (Where Does He Say It?)
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s provide a bit of context. In what context does Paul write this statement from 4:5? From a macro view: prison (1:13–14, 17). This provides a bit of helpful context, no? A letter filled with such encouragement written from such a place as prison—may God be glorified!
I must repeat a caveat here. Don’t misinterpret what I’m getting at in this moment. I understand the Lord’s imminent return as one reason why Paul can remain in a status of rejoicing, calling for fellowship amongst believers, and procuring such a positive letter of encouragement to the Philippian church. I am not saying the imminent return of Christ is the sole reason (though it is a major one!), for other reasons are laid out in the letter too.
For the sake of example, Paul rejoices in Christ proclaimed for he believes “through [the Philippians’] prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this [imprisonment] will turn out for [his] deliverance” (1:19).
Now what about from a micro view? In what immediate context does Paul state “the Lord is at hand” (4:5)? Well, Paul has begun turning the final corner of his letter. The immediate context of 4:5 sits in the middle of Paul exhorting the believers at Philippi—they should always rejoice (4:4), be reasonable (4:5), fight anxiety (4:6), and pray and give thanks to God (4:6).
Right smack in the middle of these exhortations is Paul’s reminder that the Lord is at hand.
How does Christ's imminent return affect Paul's joy, peace, and thankfulness? What does Paul mean by it? Part 2 on the theological coming next!
Want more “What If We Didn’t Have ___” while you wait on Philippians: Part 2? Click here for the previous, complete post on Genesis! Or, feel free to check out the in-between post on Luke 17:20–35 here.