Philippians Devotional Commentary

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Philippians 1:1

In his introductory comments to the Christians in Philippi, Paul included Timothy in his personal greeting. He considered this teenager as his son-in-the-faith. He was a much younger man than Paul, but in this letter the apostle graciously referred to him 'a fellow bondservant': "Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus," were Paul's opening words.

Both men loved the Lord Jesus, and both had devoted themselves to read more...

Philippians 1:3

Paul was a man who loved his Saviour. He was filled with joy when others came to a saving faith in Christ and he rejoiced when sinners were transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son. This letter to the Philippians was one of six epistles that Paul penned while imprisoned in jail, but his joy in the Lord could not be diminished by his many incarcerations, and this servant of God would not allow self-pity to mar his joy.

Philippians 1:5

Paul was commissioned to take the glorious gospel of grace to the Gentiles, but his thoughts, prayers, and supplications often turned joyfully toward the Body of believing saints. His heart rejoiced knowing they were his partners in the gospel of Jesus Christ, from the moment they trusted Him as Saviour.

We are all members of Christ's Body and, like the Philippians Christians, are also partners in the glorious gospel of grace. For read more...

Philippians 1:6

Every man and woman born of the Spirit is being conformed into the image of the lovely Lord Jesus. This sanctification process, starts at rebirth, when we are born of the Spirit, through faith in Christ. It is an ongoing process that will be brought to full completion and beautiful perfection in the day that Christ takes us to be with Himself, at the end of this Church dispensation, "for those who God justifies, He also glorifies."

Philippians 1:7

Paul had great affection for the Philippian believers, as he did for all those who had trusted Christ according to the gospel of grace. Whether he was imprisoned for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, travelling on his missionary journeys to far-flung places, or simply employed in his craft of tent-making, Paul's heart was ever open in intercessions and prayer towards his fellow believers.

As believers in Christ, we are all part read more...

Philippians 1:8

The gospel of the grace of God, where Christ was sent from heaven to become our Kinsman-Redeemer and the sin-substitute for mankind, is the adhesive that binds believers together in the perfect bond of unity, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul developed a Christ-like attitude of prayer, praise, and intercessions for all whose lives had been so radically impacted and eternally changed by the good news of the glorious gospel read more...

Philippians 1:9

Paul’s love for the body of Christ was a deep love that reflected the love he had for His Saviour and Lord. He grieved when they were slow of heart to learn, reprimanded them when they fell into sin, corrected them when they were lured into error, rejoiced with them as they grew in grace, and instructed them so they would become increasingly mature in the faith.

Paul’s great desire for the saints at Philippi was that they become rooted and grounded read more...

Philippians 1:10

Despite his imprisonment, Paul delights in the fellowship of the gospel and discovers an inner holy joy that comes from tenderly keeping the saints of God in his loving thoughts and holding them in his heart. But Paul's love for his brothers and sisters in Christ overspills into earnest prayer for them all.

Paul prays that their love for God and their love towards each other might expand and overflow in all knowledge, read more...

Philippians 1:11

The work of salvation changes a sinner into a saint and transfers a person from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

Justification (initial salvation or conversion), is the first stage of salvation and a once-for-all work of God Himself in the life of a believer that is permanent and can never be lost.

Sanctification (the process of salvation or Christian living), is the read more...

Philippians 1:12

No matter what circumstances we find ourselves to be in and however problematic, distressing, or frightening our situation may become, we may be sure that every day that passes can be used by God for good, and every happening in our lives is an opportunity for the greater progress of the gospel.

On his first visit to these believers at Philippi, Paul was flung into jail, but his midnight songs of rejoicing resulted in the read more...

Philippians 1:13

Paul had to endure many severe hardships and unjust imprisonments in his service to Christ, but we discover that his response to the difficulties and injustices that stalked his life display a deep understanding of God's greater plan for his life. Paul had such a godly joy in his heart that he knew his own hardships would be used for the glory of God and to forward the good news of the gospel of grace to a lost and dying world.

Philippians 1:14

God uses the most absurd equipment and seemingly inappropriate circumstances as the catalyst to spread the gospel of Christ in the most unexpected places.

Just as He used David's sling, Gideon's pots, Balaam's donkey, and the staff of Moses, God used the chains that bound Paul and his imprisonment in Rome as the most effective tool to spread the good news of the death and Resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ to many Roman read more...

Philippians 1:15

Paul had been called as Christ's apostle to the Gentiles and appointed by the Father to be entrusted with the hidden mysteries of the Church and much Church-age doctrine, which is so vital for our spiritual growth today.

Paul was wonderfully used of the Lord to write a significant portion of the New Testament Scriptures and yet throughout his ministry, we discover many individual critics of Paul, and various groups who were openly read more...

Philippians 1:16

Paul's dedication in proclaiming the gospel of God and his deep love for the Christians at Philippi, is very evident in the opening verses of his epistle. Although writing to them from prison, Paul wanted to reassure these believers that despite his incarceration in a Roman jail, the gospel of God was continuing to be spread abroad. Paul's letter was to encourage them to stand strong in the faith - even in the midst of great trouble and strife.

Philippians 1:17

Paul had just explained to the Philippian believers that there were two types of teachers who were giving good instruction about the glorious gospel of grace, but the motives of these two groups were diametrically opposite.

The teachers in the first group were preaching the gospel of Christ Jesus for no better reason than out of envy and read more...

Philippians 1:18

Much within the Church epistles is designed to refute false teachings and a distorted gospel. Not only do we find Paul challenging the manipulation of the good news of Christ by legalists, liberalists, and gnostics alike, but he also identifies others who were jealous of his apostolic calling. They were teaching the true gospel out of jealousy and resentment of God's unique calling upon Paul's life.

Paul could have lost heart read more...

Philippians 1:19

Love is reflected in unity, just as envy and strife are the opposite sides of the same coin. Paul rejoiced to know that the gospel of Christ was being shed abroad (even though some teachers opposed Paul's ministry and taught about Jesus out of envy and strife), for Paul rejoiced that men and women were being saved by grace through faith in Christ.

When the gospel of grace was taught by those that opposed Paul's God-ordained read more...

Philippians 1:20

The earnest desire of Paul's heart was to know Christ more, to live for Him, to die daily to self, and if necessary, to give his life for the precious Saviour he loved so dearly. The deep desire of Paul's inner being was to be his utmost for the glory of Christ Jesus so that others would come to know Him as their Lord and Saviour, as Paul irrevocably surrendered his all to his Lord.

Philippians 1:21

Paul's had a passionate love for His Saviour. He wanted to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ in every area of life. He wanted the beauty and magnificence of His wonderful Saviour to eclipse all else. He rejoiced when the gospel of Christ was proclaimed, and wanted to demonstrate that suffering for Christ in this life, would bring his Saviour great praise and glory.

Paul's dear desire was to magnify the Lord and enable the brilliance of read more...

Philippians 1:22

It was in the city of Philippi that Paul told the jailer at midnight: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved," and Paul had the joy of seeing this man and all his family place their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. What a joyful memory this must have been for Paul as he wrote his letter to the Philippian Christians, some ten years after that jailor's glorious conversion.

But as Paul wrote his read more...

Philippians 1:23

Paul was a man that loved His Lord with a passion that is rarely seen today, and he simply longed to be with His Saviour, but Paul also had a deep compulsion to tell others about the One Person Who could save and sanctify a lost sinner. Paul had a dilemma. Is it better to live or is it better to die?

Death held no dread for Paul, for he knew that his physical death is simply a gateway into the eternal presence of the glorified read more...

Philippians 1:24

Paul's incarceration in a Roman prison greatly assisted in the spreading of the gospel to many people in Rome, including the praetorian guard. His courage in the face of danger spurred other believers to follow in his footsteps and preach Christ crucified. He was not intimidated by threats, nor was he fearful of what man, or Caesar, could do to him. Paul's intrepid attitude encouraged other believers to share the good news of Christ's sacrificial death and read more...

Philippians 1:25

Paul had been flung into prison for defending the gospel, but rather than having a negative effect on the Church, he rejoiced because his imprisonment accelerated the spread of the gospel. It emboldened certain believers to proclaim the message of Christ fearlessly and even Ceasar's elite, praetorian guard, heard the good news of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, because Paul was in their custody.

Paul was convinced that God would read more...

Philippians 1:27

Paul's love for all the Christians at Philippi is very evident, for he keeps them in his thoughts, in his heart, and in his prayers. Paul's dear desire is that these believers grow strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and that they know the joy of the Lord Jesus in their heart as an abiding presence. And so, Paul is writing to this little band of believers while being chained up in a Roman prison-cell, to offer encouragement in their Christian life and read more...

Philippians 1:27

In his letter to his brothers and sisters in Philippi, Paul reassures these believers that rather than being a hindrance to the furtherance of the gospel of Christ, his chains of imprisonment were resulting in a significant spreading of the gospel, even to the Roman guards.

The Lord Jesus Christ is Paul's joy and delight, for him to live is Christ while to die is gain. But Paul knew that while there was still life in his body, his read more...

Philippians 1:28

There are many opponents and adversaries that can assail the believer in their walk of faith. Satan is a roaring lion who prowls around seeking whom he may devour, while the tempting treats of this fallen world system are vicious traps with razor-edged barbs, designed to entrap the carnal Christian who is not walking in spirit and truth. However, we should never be alarmed by these tricky stratagems, knowing that Christ has won the victory.

Philippians 1:29

It was not only Jesus Who explained that the Christian life would entail much suffering but also Peter, James, and the apostle Paul. Suffering for Christ's sake and enduring many trials and tribulations on His account is part of the worthy walk of the normal Christian life, for we have not only been given the wonderful advantages of trusting in Christ for salvation, but also the holy privilege of suffering for Him.

We have been read more...

Philippians 2:1

Throughout his writings, the apostle Paul emphasises the importance of Christians living together in spiritual unity and godly harmony. He reminds us that spirituality and godliness is manifested in a life that is emptied of self and is filled with Christ - a life that is walking in spirit and truth and in dependence upon the Father - a life that produces the beautiful fruit of righteousness in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul read more...

Philippians 2:2

In order for believers to be united together in love, joy, peace, and harmony, we are to let the mind of Christ dwell in us richly and to display the same beautiful disposition that Jesus displayed in His earthly life.

No wonder Paul's joy would be complete if his brothers and sisters at Philippi were united together in love, having the same mind and being in full accord with one another. Paul knew that only as we remain in the read more...

Philippians 2:3

There are certain threats that are common to all Christian churches that are identified at Philippi. One is the infiltration of false teachers whose outward appearance is that of a gentle lamb but inwardly are ravening wolves seeking to shed blood, destroy souls, and accumulate dishonest gain. We are instructed to identify such teachers by their bitter fruit. Another problem is internal division which endangers the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and love read more...

Philippians 2:4

Paul knew that one of the keys that contributes to Christian joy and walking in fellowship with the Lord, is that brothers in Christ are kind and considerate to one another, having the love of Christ in their hearts, and being one in spirit and like-minded in purpose.

He knew that an unselfish attitude of heart and humbleness of spirit towards our brothers and sisters in Christ was a key to maintaining our joy in the Lord, and so read more...

Philippians 2:5

The joy of the Lord is our strength, and we are called to: "Rejoice evermore, to pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks," for this is God's will for all His children. As believers, we are called to live in unity with one another, but all too often people can deliberately or unintentionally quench our joy, causing our mind to spin out of control and our spirits to become discouraged, and so we are called to let the Word of Christ dwell in us read more...

Philippians 2:6

Christ is and always has been the eternal Word of God, Who was and is and is to come the Almighty. In essence, form, character, and attributes He is fully God, and He remains the God of all gods and Light of all lights. The Son of God does not simply resemble God, but He is equal with the Father; equal in every aspect of His deity, His majesty, and His character. Christ is the incarnate Word, and the Word was made flesh and tabernacled among the people that He read more...

Philippians 2:7

Our natural inclination is to place ourselves in the centre of everything and to think how we are going to be affected by this and that, before we consider the needs, necessities, or feelings of others, and before we consider the desire of God's heart. Indeed, even when we do exhibit 'caring concern', how often our choices are rooted in selfish pride, knowing that our 'thoughtful' actions will excite the applause of others and feed our ego, which will only result read more...

Philippians 2:8

The humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ is as much a reality as His deity. He is as truly Man as He is infinitely God. He is eternal in His divinity but born at a point in time into the human race, for a specific purpose. The Lord Jesus was born to become the representative Man, upon Whose shoulders rested the future of humanity and the salvation of the human race.

He was sent by the Father to pay the price for the sin of the read more...

Philippians 2:9

Divinity's Son-of-God became humanity's Son-of-Man. He set aside eternity's glories, to be clothed in humility, in poverty, in suffering, and in death. It is for this very reason that God, in His wisdom and justice, has raised Him up and honoured Him above all that is in the heaven heights, the earth beneath, and the waters under the earth, whether it be men or angels, spiritual principalities or earthly thrones.

Jesus is the very read more...

Philippians 2:10

No other name deserves all honour and praise, might and majesty, dominion and power, for there is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved. The truth of this Scripture is an offense to all that are in the world, but to those that have been saved it is life – eternal life – abundant life, by grace through faith.

We meet together in His name and come to the throne of grace through the name of Jesus. His name is the read more...

Philippians 2:11

The Lord Jesus has been resurrected, ascended, glorified, and highly exalted above every created being, and a day is coming when every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

One group of humanity will confess Him as Lord and Saviour joyfully. The other will be forced to confess Him as Lord and Judge, but they will remain under His grievous condemnation. It read more...

Philippians 2:12

Salvation is ours by faith alone in Christ alone. We cannot be saved by our own effort, and we cannot do anything to add to Christ's finished work on Calvary's Cross, for the sacrificial offering of Himself on the Cross for our salvation was all-sufficient in the eyes of God - and it is finished.

As the sinless Son of Man, Christ's death on the Cross fully met God's redemption price. God accepted Christ's offering of Himself as read more...

Philippians 2:13

How important it is that we do not seek to do good works in our own strength. How vital that we do not carry out our kind actions and considerate deeds from the source of our old sin nature, for when we do good works that are produced by ME, rather than by God working through me, they are works of the law - works of the flesh - works of the old sin nature - works that God will not accept, for God will not share His glory with ME. All the good works that we produce read more...

Philippians 2:14

The apostle Paul showed great concern for the spiritual wellbeing of the believers in Philippi. We see his deep affection shining forth as he spoke words of reassurance and encouragement to the congregation - exhorting them to live lives that honour the Lord in thought, word, and deed.

"Do all things without complaining and disputing," is his godly advice. He wants them to be blameless and harmless children of God, read more...

Philippians 2:15

Paul was writing to the Philippian Church from a prison cell, but he wanted to emphasise that the many misfortunes that had befallen him in his ministry, and his incarceration and trial before a Roman court of law, had resulted in the furtherance of the gospel. And so this was to be seen as an occasion of joy and great rejoicing.

Paul wanted them to understand that what the enemy had intended for evil God had turned to good. He read more...

Philippians 2:16

In his instructions for godly living, Paul calls the Philippian Christians to do all things without grumbling, murmuring, or disputing among themselves. This was obviously a problem in the early Christian Church, just as it can be in the Body of Christ today. But when we consider the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ before our own, we prove ourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God who bring honour and glory the Lord.

Philippians 2:17

Following his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul had spent his life in sacrificial service to the Lord for the joy of seeing others come to a secure, trusting faith in Christ. Paul rejoiced to see them grow in grace and mature in their Christian life. And despite his imprisonment in a Roman jail, it was with the joy of the Lord that Paul was able to write his letter of encouragement to his brothers and sisters in Philippi, exhorting them to unity, humility read more...

Philippians 2:18

It is always a joy to have Christian brothers and sisters whose lives are a shining example of Jesus Christ, radiating in them and working through them. It is good to receive wise advice on godly living from such precious examples of Christlikeness.

Many of Paul's epistles are written to encourage Christians towards such godly living, exhorting the saints to live their life to the glory of God, while warning them to place no read more...

Philippians 2:21

Timothy was a godly man who had a genuine concern and Christ-like love for his Christian brethren - seeking their good above his own. He was a man whose spiritual walk eclipsed that of many other Christians, because he sought to carry out the will and work of God before his own preferences and desires.

He proved himself to be a blameless and innocent child of God who was above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse read more...

Philippians 2:22

Paul encountered many people, both within and outside the Christian Church, that excited disunity and conflict between believers, and yet one of the most important messages in his epistles was the need for Christians to live in harmony - one with the other.

In his letters, Paul sets out, with clarity, the need for children of God to be pure and blameless in this crooked and depraved generation. He exhorts us to live without read more...

Philippians 2:29

However godly a group of believers may be, there are often little areas of dissension or strife which may rise to the surface to discredit our Christian witness. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul addresses certain undercurrents of disunity, by exhorting Christians to live in the unity of spirit; to adopt an attitude of gracious consideration towards one another; to be like-minded, selfless, sacrificial, and to demonstrate brotherly affection towards each read more...

Philippians 3:1

Paul calls us repeatedly to rejoice in the Lord, and does not grow tired of encouraging us to rejoice and to keep on rejoicing in Him, for he knows that there is a thief that will rob us of the peace of God, the joy of our salvation, and the eternal hope we have in our heavenly promises.

We are called upon to rejoice and to keep on rejoicing, for in so doing we will establish a Christ-focussed attitude of heart and an read more...

Philippians 3:1

Joy was much on Paul's heart as he wrote his letter to the saints in Philippi, and despite the fact that he himself was being held as a prisoner in chains, he did not allow the circumstances of his life to affect his joy in the Lord. And as he neared the end of this epistle of encouragement to his brothers in Christ, he repeatedly called each one of us to rejoice in the Lord - to be joyful in God our Saviour - to delight ourselves in Christ our Lord.

Philippians 3:2

Living the Christian life in the way that God ordained was the highest priority on Paul's list... and in each of his epistles we read of the identifying marks of a Christian who is walking in spirit and truth. Paul shows us how to abide in Christ, submit to the Spirit of God, trust in His Word, and live the way that God intended His children to live.

The man or woman of faith who is living as God intended... is the one that read more...

Philippians 3:3

In the early Church, it was hard for Jews who were steeped in centuries of tradition to recognise that the Christian faith was not an extra bit of doctrine tagged on to the Jewish religion, but the fulfilment of God's promise to make a New Covenant with them. They did not understand that the Law of God, the Prophets of Israel, the Psalms, and the Feasts-days were all pointing to Christ, and that 'the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus' had set them free from read more...

Philippians 3:5

From the world's perspective, Paul had much to boast about: his birth and ancestry, his religious orthodoxy, and his passionate zeal. He had been born into a highly respected Jewish family, and from birth received the high honour of being a true-born Roman citizen, with all the rights, respect, privileges, and perks of the great Roman Empire.

His Jewish ancestry also awarded him great respect, and he gained exceptional approval read more...

Philippians 3:6

Before conversion, Paul was supremely confident in his Jewish heritage, his fleshly works, his religious practices, and strict adherence to the Law, which he zealously promoted. After his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road and his commission as God's apostle to the Gentiles, his eyes were opened and he vigorously expounded the terrible dangers of Judaism. Philippians 3 is a most comprehensive denouncement of this perilous belief system.

Philippians 3:7

What a heritage the apostle Paul had before his conversion to Christ. He was a renowned scholar and a pupil of the great teacher, Gamaliel. Paul was also a highly esteemed religious leader, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, and blameless concerning the Law.

He was proud of his Jewish heritage as a descendent of the tribe of Benjamin, and he was greatly respected due to his birth as a Roman citizen. Saul of Tarsus had it all as far as read more...

Philippians 3:8

I wonder what value you put in certain things: your home, your family, your relationships, your job, your reputation, your achievements, your talents, your education, your safety, your bank balance? Well, the apostle Paul considered these things and everything else that life and living has to offer, as worth nothing by comparison with the surpassing value, joy, wonder, worth, and glory of knowing Christ Jesus.

Paul lost or lacked read more...

Philippians 3:9

Before he met Jesus, Paul was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. In other words, he was exemplary in outwardly keeping the Law of Moses, as required by the self-righteous religious mind-set. But his righteousness was a works-based self-righteousness, a righteousness that he thought would please God, but that fell far short of the standard that God required, for only the righteousness of Christ reached the perfection, goodness, and grace that was required of a read more...

Philippians 3:10

In a few brief words, Paul outlines the four most important things in life:

1. That I may know Christ.
2. That I may know the power of Christ's Resurrection.
3. That I may be a partaker in the sufferings of Christ.
4. That I may be conformed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ.

A few short phrases outline everything necessary for a victorious Christian life.

Philippians 3:11

Paul had the most impressive genealogy and was born into the most advantageous of families. He was taught by the most eminent of teachers, received an outstanding education, and attained significant qualifications... but it meant nothing in the eternal realm.

Paul had all the advantages that money could buy - but following his conversion on the road to Damascus, read more...

Philippians 3:12

The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to become conformed into the very image and likeness of our glorified Saviour. Paul knew that like every other believer, his sanctification was a lifelong process which would only be completed when he finally stood in the presence of Christ Jesus, his risen, ascended, glorified Lord.

Ever since his saving encounter with the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul started to press toward read more...

Philippians 3:13

As Christians, it should be our desire and single intent to love the Lord with all our being and seek, with our whole heart, to be in His perfect will. Sometimes the urgent things of life have to give way to the thing that is really important, and sometimes the good has to be set aside or renounced for the best.

It is futile to try to follow Christ based on our own merit, abilities, or achievements. It is foolish to think we are read more...

Philippians 3:14

Once a man or woman has trusted the Lord Jesus as Saviour, he embarks on a race through life to the finishing post. Once a person has been born again, they are to grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Once we are justified and placed in the family of God, we are called by our Father to sanctification, which is a lifelong process in which we press on towards the goal of our heavenly calling so that we may gain read more...

Philippians 3:15

As we read through the New Testament epistles whose target audience are Christians in this dispensation of grace, we find numerous warnings against placing our confidence in the flesh. We are not only cautioned of the dangers of putting our reliance on other people, but also of trusting in ourselves and our own abilities.

We should not be stuck in the elementary teachings of the Christian faith, but should be pressing on and read more...

Philippians 3:16

Paul was an example of a mature man of God who was prepared to consider the privileges of this world as insignificant and inconsequential, by comparison with the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as his Lord. He was prepared to suffer the loss of all things, and regard everything that the world holds dear, as rubbish - in order to gain the closest, possible communion with his God and Saviour.

Paul was acutely aware that read more...

Philippians 3:17

Although we were born dead in trespasses and sins and at enmity with God, we must never forget that by grace through faith in Christ, we have been saved. As children of God, we have been called to live in newness of life, to walk in spirit and truth, and to grow in grace and Christlikeness.

The Lord Jesus is the ultimate example of a Man Who walked by faith and not by sight. He is the supreme specimen of humility, grace, truth, read more...

Philippians 3:18

We are called to a heavenly walk of holy watchfulness that is pleasing to the Lord and honours His name. However, the sinner that rejects His offer of salvation, or the worldly-minded Christian that chooses to engage in a carnal lifestyle, live as enemies of the Cross of Christ, to their own disadvantage and detriment.

Paul knew there were evil workers among the body of Christ, who placed their confidence in the flesh rather than read more...

Philippians 3:20

As believers in Christ, we are citizens of another country and subjects of our glorious King. Our loyalty is to another state and our conversation and delight should reside in heavenly places. We are simply pilgrims passing through this mortal coil, sojourning on earth for a brief life-span, and so we should not be mindful of earthly things that pass away, but we should fix our hearts on the coming king, looking for Jesus, our soon coming Lord. Heavenly citizenship read more...

Philippians 3:21

A significant part of Paul's epistles are either encouraging us to live godly lives, explaining what is expected in our Christian walk, giving examples of how to live to the glory of God, or enabling us to grow in grace through faith in the glorious gospel of Christ - where JESUS is the centre of our life and our conversation is heavenly.

In this passage, we are exhorted to have no confidence in our fleshly selves. We receive read more...

Philippians 4:1

At the start of this final section of Paul's letter to the believers he loved so dearly at Philippi, and having encouraged them to live for Christ, to be like Christ, to rejoice in Christ, to continue in Christ, and to remember all that Christ has done for them, he finally calls them to stand fast in Christ.

Paul had a great love for all who had heard and accepted the gospel of grace through his ministry, and longed to see them read more...

Philippians 4:4

We are called to rejoice in the Lord, to pray without ceasing, and in everything to give thanks to the Lord our God, for the joy of the Lord is our health and strength, and His mercy endures forevermore. We are exhorted to rejoice in the Lord and to take refuge in Him, for He has done wonderful things for all who have trusted in the name of His dearly beloved Son.

In the knowledge of what God has done for us, through the life, read more...

Philippians 4:5

Both the extended greetings at the beginning of Paul's many epistles and the lengthy farewells at the end, give us a wealth of information on God plans and purposes for His Church and teach us much on living the Christian life, in the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace.

As Paul starts to draw his Philippian letter to a conclusion, he read more...

Philippians 4:6

Prayer is the privilege of people who are saved by grace thorough faith in Christ, for by His sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection, He tore down the dividing wall between God and man and gave us access to His throne of grace, for mercy to find help in time of need. We are exhorted not to worry about anything, but instead to pray confidently about everything. We are to tell the Lord our needs, laying our petitions humbly at His feet and thanking Him for all read more...

Philippians 4:7

As he draws his letter to the believers at Philippi to a close, Paul encourages all of us to live godly lives and to apply all the principles of spiritual living that we learned from him so that we may live a normal, Christian life that is acceptable to the Father and honouring to the Son. To do so will ensure that God's incomprehensible peace will protect our hearts and govern our minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are called to read more...

Philippians 4:8

As Christians, we have a been brought into a family relationship with God through our union with Christ, by faith. But we are expected to take responsibility for walking in spirit and truth, living as unto the Lord, trusting in the Word of God, depending on our Heavenly Father, submitting to the Holy Spirit, abiding in Christ, and appropriating all that is ours in Him, by faith.

But this can only be done as we focus the eyes of read more...

Philippians 4:10

"Rejoice" is a word that Paul loved to use, and here in the book of Philippians he uses it 10 times in four short chapters. He rejoiced when the gospel of Christ was proclaimed and he rejoiced that he did not labour in vain. He rejoiced that he was poured forth in the sacrifice and service of these believers and he rejoiced in the Lord always ..and was not ashamed to say it again - "rejoice in the Lord!!"

As read more...

Philippians 4:11

As he starts to draw his letter to the Philippians to a close, Paul gives a little teaching about giving: both giving to others and receiving from others. Paul was incarcerated in a Roman prison when he penned this epistle to the Christians at Philippi, but he used it as an opportunity to emphasise the value of contentment in whatsoever circumstances we may find ourselves. And what an encouragement and example this short passage has been to many believers down read more...

Philippians 4:12

The Philippian Christians had obviously supported Paul financially in the past, but it appears that some time had elapsed with no supplemental help from them. But having at last received a little financial assistance from the believers there, Paul used this as a teaching opportunity to share the secret of godly contentment in every circumstance of life.

He explained that it is equally possible to be abased and live contentedly read more...

Philippians 4:13

Although he was incarcerated in a Roman prison when writing the epistle to the Philippians, Paul demonstrated the joy of the Lord was his strength, no matter what difficult circumstances he had to face. Whether rich or poor, a freeman or in prison, Paul had learned the sufficiency that only comes through Christ. He had discovered that true contentment is only gained from abiding in Him.

Like King David, this apostle was read more...

Philippians 4:19

"My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus," is a verse we all love to quote as we rejoice in the abundant supply of our generous God Who is overflowing with gracious-mercy and bubbling over with loving-kindness. He does not make any promises that will be broken, and the super-abundance of His generosity covers all things. It covers anything and everything that we need.

What we want is not always what we read more...

Philippians 4:21

Paul's epistles tend to follow a particular format. They generally begin with a salutation, a little word of encouragement, and the signature of the author, which sometimes defends his apostolic authority within the Body of Christ.

Following his initial greeting, he often offers blessings, prayers, and thanksgiving for various good and positive things with the Body of Christ which are worthy of commendation. This initial read more...

Old Testament

New Testament

Old Testament

New Testament

◄ Philippians Devotional Commentary ►