Going Through Paul’s epistles to Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae
NOTE to TTUF Readers:
Anne Kisly is attending to many needful matters, including some well-deserved R & R as a result of some intense ministry to her family these last several years (finally completed!), leaving me to hold the fort, which I’ve been glad to do. Only, these days while my serious health issues involving cancer continue – things are not quite so intense. I have YOU saints to thank for petitioning our LORD, for He has heard! I am supremely thankful to Him for leading me and accompanying me in these fiery trials!
Your continued prayers are appreciated as the LORD faithfully leads me through these “troublesome waters”! Thank you and GOD bless you way too much!
INTRODUCTION: We often find ourselves worried, frustrated, perplexed regarding the issues of life, particularly when things go wrong, provisions aren’t forthcoming, when obstacles don’t budge and in it all we wonder, “Where are you GOD?”
Apostle Paul had all of that going on throughout his ministry, and yet as he learned to trust GOD, minute by minute, day by day, in the face of intense opposition and contention by those who abhorred the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he found himself contented and at peace. Does that sound attractive to you?
In this second half of Chapter Four, we continue in this vein of thought as apostle Paul wrote on such matters. May we follow his example, even as he follows Christ!
PHILIPPIANS 4:10
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
Just as “…cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country” (PROV 25:25) so too is encouragement in a time of need and persistent trials! Though the apostle had many days in the Roman prison – about two to three years according to some sources, still he found cause to rejoice in the LORD, and was greatly encouraged by the saints at Philippi who provided for him in his loneliness and need.
We saints have to be vigilant when it comes to GOD-ordained opportunities that come our way. Let’s take advantage of such times while they are available! How many times have I regretted not “striking while the iron is hot” – that is, to leave a lasting impression from some good I might effect for someone who’ll be blessed by it!
That can never be said of the LORD however; His timing is perfectly punctual:
GALATIANS 4:4aGenerosity and hospitality should be the hallmarks of the Christian’s heart, born of the grace and love of GOD Who is abundant in His generosity and hospitality – and just wait until He inaugurates His Kingdom! Those two words will escalate dramatically in their definitions!
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…
PHILIPPIANS 4:11-12
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
It’s been said in so many ways, and here is one of them: “The less you have (such as with material needs), the more content you are with the LORD Jesus Christ!” Elsewhere Paul said,
1 TIMOTHY 6:7It’s enough that we have the LORD, that He is having a tremendous effect in our lives as we mature spiritually. It’s a fabulous feeling of fulfillment when contentment and godliness are paired up (1 TIM 6:6).
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Since we are pilgrims in this world – we’re just passing through on our way Home, it’s to our benefit that we travel light! Having “food and clothing” is sufficient and it makes mobility quite easy!
This is not to say that being affluent is inherently sinful, so long as it’s a well-earned wealth, not appropriated by morally unlawful means. Even simply the lusting after wealth is terribly destructive to the soul:
1 TIMOTHY 6:9-10It’s much more advantageous and blessed to “store up our treasures in heaven” (MATT 6:20) than to accumulate wealth down here “where moth and rust corrupt, and thieves [can access and steal our belongings]”. Personally, I’m perfectly comfortable possessing material wealth in lesser quantities (Don’t own my own home, no car, no expensive toys or hobbies).
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Since this life is a vapor anyway, I’m very much looking forward to the eternal kingdom where (LORD willing) I will have rich reward that shall endure, never tarnish, wear out, fade, break, dilapidate and fall into disuse.
PHILIPPIANS 4:13-14
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
This verse is often quoted and applied in many different ways – I’ve noticed Christians using it a lot where athletics are concerned! Some see it as a sort of ‘blank check’: whatever needs doing, I can – through Christ.
In context, Paul is saying that whether he finds himself in abundance or in need, in fullness or in hunger, he had learned to be content. He knew Who was in charge of his life, that He was aware of Paul’s situation, and if the LORD allowed the apostle to experience deficiency in any way, he was at peace and contented with that decision.
Do I think this verse can have a general application? Of course! Why not? Consider what the LORD Himself said,
JOHN 15:5This is the inverse of PHIL 4:13; in that verse it’s saying we can do anything through the power of Christ that enables us. Here in JOHN 15 it says that apart from Christ we can do nothing.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
The Christian life is in fact, impossible for mere human beings to live. Even the command of GOD as apostle Peter quoted:
1 PETER 1:15-16Can you be holy in your own power? Can you achieve a level of holiness that will satisfy the command and the inspection of GOD? I know I can’t! Not on my own! But with Christ is me, with His work in my life by the Holy Spirit, I can walk in holiness! Perfectly as Christ?
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy.
No, but I’m a work in progress (that’s called sanctification) that He promises to complete in me at His arrival to take me Home (PHIL 1:6), but in the meantime there should be evidence of holiness and some of every fruit of the Spirit in our lives if we are truly born of GOD’s Spirit:
1 JOHN 2:6PHILIPPIANS 4:15-18
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
EPHESIANS 5:9
(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
The saints here at Philippi were attentive to minister to apostle Paul’s needs when there was opportunity to offer aid, and when they were able to. The apostle makes mention of this in rather dramatic fashion – referring to his reception of the Philippians love offering as “stealing [from them]” to the Corinthian church from which he wouldn’t accept a penny.
2 CORINTHIANS 11:7-9There at Corinth, so-called ministers who took advantage of the saints there and more or less fleeced the sheep. Then when the Corinthians began to disparage Paul and he was in effect, forced to list his credentials (2 COR 11), he was committed to not following after these sheep=fleecers, lest they would accuse him of theft on top of their other allegations!
7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. 9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.
The thing is, as an official apostle, chosen by Christ Himself, and one who truly, lovingly, sacrificially served the church at Corinth, laboring in the Word, in prayer, in discipleship, payment was due him according to the Scripture (1 COR 9:1-15). But in humility, he declined his right and instead labored night and day (1 THESS 2:9; 2 THESS 3:8) to provide not only for his own needs, but also for those who came to co-labor with him (most notably, Timothy; ACTS 20:33-35).
PHILIPPIANS 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Here is a promise we love to hear! And because we believe it so thoroughly and deeply, we never have a worrisome thought, ever… right? I can attest that I have often worried about this, that and the other thing in my life. But as we grow in the LORD, and we experience His faithful provisions, or even His grace when there is lack of such needful things, we become familiar with His faithfulness. We learn to trust the Trustworthy One Who is the very embodiment of Truth!
The Holy Spirit through Paul inspired this 19th verse and it is truth because GOD cannot lie. Did you know that the word “worry” is from the Middle Dutch word worgen, also the Old High German word, wurgen – meaning “to strangle”? The word is descriptive of how a dog or wolve bites and tears at the throat of its victim.
The LORD doesn’t want us to suffer in doubt of His loving provision and instead experience this psychological strangulation that can take our breath away!
And the LORD never runs low on His resources – check out the other part of this verse!
“…according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Did you catch that? It’s not “from His riches” as in a slight provision from His wealth, but “according to” meaning a provision that’s representative of His riches – “…in glory by Christ Jesus.”
We just have to consider the difference between “needs” and “desires”. What are our real needs? Air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, covering by way of clothes and shelter. Along with certain other requirements in this day and age, that’s about all. Much of this world survives without a car, substantial bank accounts, an excessive wardrobe, etc., etc. A lot of times I thought that I “needed” something, but GOD in His infinite wisdom said, "No, you don’t.”
And He should know because the LORD is our Good Shepherd and we shall not want (PSA 23). Not only is He a good shepherd because He is GOD, and there is none good but GOD (MATT 19:17) – so by nature He is a GOOD shepherd! Also, He is good at shepherding! There are none better!
And this is the same One Who happens to measure the heavens in the span of His Almighty, nail-scarred hand (ISA 4:12)! Who speaks of those things that aren’t as though they were (ROM 4:17)!
GOD called Abram (meaning, “the father of many”) when he didn’t even have any children. Then he had just one son – Ishmael, born of Sarah’s handmaid Hagar, and she along with the young boy were banished! And yet in the very next chapter, GOD says, “Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham (meaning, “father of many nations”!) – with only one banished son to his name?
Yes! Because GOD declared this of Abraham!
GENESIS 17:1-7It should be noted that in the face of GOD’s promise to both Abram and Sarai, that she would bear Abraham a son in their old age – but the clock was ticking, and they were getting older and impatient, that they took matters into their own hands and decided to ‘help GOD out’! And in so doing they made a real mess of things. Ishmael was born, and from him came many nations that converted to Islam, and… well, enough said, right? Let us never be impatient regarding the promises of GOD but wait upon the LORD Who will renew our strength (ISA 40:31) – and faith, to keep holding and “standing on the promises of GOD”!
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 "And I will make My covenant between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly." 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.
And even if we’re caught in a place from which there is no way of escape – GOD will make a way of escape (Remember the Red Sea that trapped all Israel with Egypt’s army hot on their tail? GOD said, “No problem!” and opened up the sea! All we need is GOD’s decree, and it’s DONE!
PHILIPPIANS 4:20-23
20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The Gospel will go into all of the world, the LORD Jesus said so (MATT 26:13). It even penetrated Caesar Nero’s Roman Court (“household”) where pagan Romans heard the Gospel and came to salvation!
Something we need to remember: You are not responsible to save the souls of people. You’re not. Everyone is responsible for their own soul, deciding whether or not to receive the Gospel. All you and I are called to do is sow the seed of the Gospel and to pray against “the seed stealer” (MATT 13:1-4) and for the eyes of the spiritually blind to be opened (ACTS 26:18). Some are called to sow, others to water, but it’s GOD that gives the increase (1 COR 3:7)! On the Day of Judgment, those who have rejected the Gospel won’t be able to point a finger of accusation against anyone, because – bottom line, the decision to receive or reject Christ is theirs, and theirs alone!
And GOD will get the glory for His magnificent grace as well as for His awesome justice!
In these last few words apostle Paul encourages the saints to greet one another, and so we are to bless one another in the LORD – the word “greet” elsewhere translated as “salute” means in part, to “embrace another”. To embrace means of course to receive into one’s fellowship, affection, company; it’s an expression of unity and camaraderie.
Endeavoring to “keep the unity of the faith” (EPH 4:13) implies such a union among the saints, with such an absence of strife and contention that there is no way possible for the enemy of the church to bring division and thereby destruction.
It comes down to what apostle John said, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1 JOHN 3:18).”
And this concludes the study in PHILIPPIANS! So, in this GEPC study, we have completed GALATIANS, EPHESIANS and now PHILIPPIANS! Next, to complete this series, we will dive into the epistle to the COLOSSIANS!
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