It is God which worketh in you

If in chapter 1 we have ‘Christ the passion of a devoted life’, in chapter 2, we have ‘Christ the pattern of a selfless life’, W. TREW. The Lord Jesus is in fact the first of four such examples, the others being Paul himself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus.

But first, Paul appeals to the believers to ‘work out [their] own salvation with fear and trembling’, adding, ‘For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure’ - a most reassuring truth, v. 13. His appeal is corporate and not merely individual, as the particular threat posed to the church was that of disunity. Note the reference to ‘murmurings’, and to its fruit, ‘disputings’, something that proved highly destructive to Israel in the wilderness. Addressing such dangers they will together be a bright witness to the world, and a joy to Paul when he renders account at the judgement seat of Christ, v. 16.

Paul’s humility, and his estimate of the Philippians is seen in likening himself to a drink offering, v. 17 NKJV, associated with their (to him, much more significant) sacrifice and service. In his reference to his personal sacrifice as a drink offering there is a clear implication of the costly pouring out of his life in devotion to the Lord and his people.

Paul then commends Timothy, whom he plans to send to assess conditions in the church. He focuses on Timothy’s outstanding credentials as a servant, for Timothy truly exhibits single-minded concern for the glory of Christ and the blessing of His people. What could Paul have written about me?

As the fourth example of selfless devotion to others, he writes to allay their fear regarding their envoy Epaphroditus, whom they had heard had fallen ill. In so doing he commends this faithful soldier of Jesus Christ. This dear brother had devotedly laboured, and indeed hazarded his own life, to ensure that the gift sent by the church reached Paul safely, v. 30.

This Epistle shows no demarcation between doctrine and practice; they intermingle. The self-abasement and exaltation of Christ carry the greatest possible implications for our behaviour. In a self-centred age, let us display the mind of Christ so nobly demonstrated in these His servants.