Paul often used expressions such as this one
to speak of his love for the people of God! For example
... "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is
open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in
us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels." 2nd
Corinthians 6:11-12
Paul's "enlarged heart" is a word picture for
his great love for these little "children" in Christ, the
Corinthians!
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 16:
Paul is in prison as he writes the Epistle to
the Philippians. He mentions his bonds or chains in the
very first chapter ... then again in chapter six.
But in Philippians 1:29 Paul made an amazing
statement about our "hardships" in Christ.
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of
Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his
sake."
You see, the Philippian Christians also were
suffering for their faith.
In essence Paul is here saying that just as
we were called upon to "believe" in Jesus, having been convicted
then drawn by the Holy Spirit, so we may often be called upon to
"suffer" for Jesus' sake too!
The pronoun "you" is plural, indicating that
Paul is writing to the whole Church body.
The verb "given" translates "charizomai," its
root being "charis," the Greek noun for "grace."
Literally Paul is saying that God "graced" us
with faith, faith to believe in His Name!
I personally believe that saving faith is a
gift of God in the first place! Some grammarians tell me I
can't say this, but it looks like Ephesians 2:8 reveals the true
source of our faith. "For by grace
are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
Faith is the gift of God!
He "graced" it to us!
But that's not all!
He also "gave" us, "graced" to us, "lovingly
bestowed" upon us ... the opportunity to suffer for His sake
too!
That's exactly what Philippians 1:29 says!
Again, here it is. "For
unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake."
The phrases "in behalf of" and "for" His sake
both use the Greek preposition "huper." It means "in one's
stead" or "for one's sake" or "concerning" or "about" or even
"over" or "above" or "beyond!"
God blessed us, showered us with grace, when
He allowed us and motivated us to believe in Jesus! That's how
we were saved!
Then, Paul is also saying here that God
further blessed us or graced us with "suffering." This is
suffering that we would not necessarily be experiencing if we
were not associated with Christ Jesus and his followers!
It is thus "on His behalf."
What a view of the Christian life!
Either way, sweet times or hard times, God
has blessed us!
"In season" and "out of season" we have been
abundantly showered with His amazing grace!
Praise His Name!
I have heard Paul speak of the "grace of
giving" in 2nd Corinthians 8:7.
And again in Ephesians 3:8 he talks about the
grace of preaching.
But now ... the grace of suffering!
I'm about ready to say that the Grace of God
is all encompassing, surely overarching every area of life!
And all I can say is "Thank God!"
Blessed be His Name!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 17:
Paul
actually said it!
He was talking about death, death for a
Christian.
Paul admits to "...
having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far
better ...." Philippians 1:23
"Depart," a verb, translates the Greek word "analuo."
It means to untie or to unloose something. He is picturing life
as a series of "hard knots" needing to be unraveled! Such a
thing will happen when a Believer dies and goes to heaven ...
all life's problems will be solved!
To be "with" Christ Jesus (in Greek = "sun")
means "beside" Him or literally "in his company!"
To go and be with Jesus ... in Heaven ... is
for Paul a great "desire!"
This noun, "epithumia" means something like a
"passion!" It is a craving or a longing in one's heart! It is
actually translated "lust" 31 times in the New Testament!
Remember, "lust" means an extremely strong yearning. In the
Bible the word is not always used in a bad sense either.
Paul passionately looked forward to Heaven,
to seeing Jesus, to loving His Lord!
Isn't that amazing?
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 18:
Paul,
writing to the Philippians, says: "Having
the same conflict
which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me."
Philippians 1:30
What "conflict" does the Apostle have in
mind.
We know that he is in jail, a Roman prison,
as he writes Philippians.
He is likely accused of some form of treason,
not being willing to acknowledge Caesar as Lord!
To Paul and all Believers, you see ... Jesus
is Lord! Jesus alone!
Now it has become apparent that the
Philippian Christians are facing the same (although not as
severe) situation.
While not yet incarcerated, some of them may
have been threatened with loss of jobs or cuts in pay or public
beatings or even confiscation of property!
The point being ... these dear souls "in
Christ," saved people, are experiencing such severe "conflict!"
Right with God ... yet in "conflict!"
Loving the Apostle Paul, supporting his
ministry, yet "suffering" for Jesus!
Growing in Grace, yet under great and
unpleasant "pressure!"
This sounds a lot different than a lot of
today's preaching ... on television and radio and in print I
mean. They say the Spirit-filled life is always filled with
"health" and "wealth."
Yet that's just not the case with Paul ... or
Jesus or Isaiah or Peter or Jeremiah or anyone truly living for
God! "Yea, and all that will live godly
in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" says Paul in
2nd Timothy 3:12.
What is this "conflict" Paul describes?
The noun is "agon."
It assimilates into English as "agony!"
In the King James Bible it is translated 4
different ways. It is "conflict" twice and "fight" twice and
"contention" once and even "race" once!
It is believed to have derived from the word
that means a place of assembly, an arena in which to see the
Greek games or contests!
Paul likens our battles to great public
displays of strength and power!
Filled with agony? Yes!
But also ripe with opportunities to display
the power and beauty of the Gospel!
Today I write and some Christian reads here,
someone who is in "agony."
Trials for you now are severe or temptations
are great or suffering is acute or discouragement is heavy!
Friend in Christ, fight!
Endure the agony!
Defeat the enemy through the Blood of Jesus
shed on the Cross of Calvary!
Let all who watch see your good works ... and
glorify your Father Which is in Heaven!
No one said it would be easy!
Paul, remind us again:
"Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to
be in me." Philippians 1:30
And, just in case you think this "battling"
is unusual, Peter reminds us: "Beloved,
think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try
you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but
rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;
that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy." 1st Peter 4:12-13
Do remember this too.
In the Greek/Roman culture of Paul's day ...
successful "agonizing" led to crowns and recognition and bounty
beyond measure!
So is it with the dear Lord Jesus too!
He rewards faithful and often agonizing
service!
"Well done, thou good
and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy
of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 19:
Paul shared a real "secret" for harmony in
the Christian life when he encouraged the Philippians to
"let each esteem other better than
themselves." Philippians 2:3
To "esteem" (in Greek = "hegeomai") means "to
think or count or estimate or evaluate."
The pronoun "other" is "allelon" and means
one's brother or sister in Christ, another of the same sort as
you! A fellow Believer!
But, get this: "better" is spelled "huperecho"
and means "over or above" ("huper" or "hyper") and "to hold"
("echo") with determination! Putting it all together; "better"
here means superior!
Paul just told us to lay aside our own "self
importance" and "visions of grandeur" and consider our brothers
and sisters first!
If more of this type living were to become
reality ... home life and church life would be transformed!
"Let each of you place others above
yourselves!"
That's the very opposite of today's cultural
values, isn't it?
And, by the way, one more thing about that
verb "esteem." It is built upon the "root" word "ago," to lead
or to command!
If I'm going to live in this unselfish way
... I will have to take the "lead" and "command" myself to do
so! Such "esteeming others better" will not occur naturally!
Spiritual self-control and discipline will be required!
Paul must have preached this type of
sacrificial living everywhere he went! In Romans 12:10 he
commanded: "Be kindly affectioned one to
another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one
another!" The participle "preferring" here is
again derived from the same verbal root, "ago!"
Highly value your brothers and sisters in
Christ!
Jesus did!
He said of Himself in Matthew 20:28 ...
"The Son of man came not to be ministered
unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
What living!
Talk about being a peacemaker!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 20:
Everyone knows the verse.
Paul began by commanding us to ...
"Let this mind be in you, which was also
in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
The verb "let mind be" translates one Greek
word, "phroneo." It is an imperative. Paul is requiring this
of us Christians! It means "to think." He says: Think like
this! Also it is a present tense verb. Consistent habitual
action is being required here!
The Bible here is actually telling us how to
think!
We are to have the same mind ... Jesus did!
The "mind of Christ!"
Listen to 1st Corinthians 2:16.
"For who hath known the mind of the Lord?
But we have the mind of Christ."
Elsewhere, in Philippians 4:8, Paul does it
again! He tells us how to think!
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there
be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on
these things."
And again in 2nd Corinthians 10:5 we are told
to be ... "bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ."
Amazing!
Today let's be careful what we think!
Jesus' thoughts, as the verses following
"Let this mind be in you, which was also
in Christ Jesus" prove, were meditations of humility and
service and sacrifice and obedience to His Father's Will!
If we Believers could ever learn to really
think this way, there would nearly be no more bitterness or
hatred or murders or lust or worry or any other kind of sin!
Now, that's Lordship!
When a man or a woman is willing to allow Him
to control every thought, every imagination, every moment!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 21:
Paul says that Jesus was in the very "form"
of God when He came to earth! Let’s notice the "context" of his
words: "Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it
not robbery to be equal with God ...." Philippians 2:5-6
That critically important noun, "form,"
translates the Greek word "morphe." It carries this idea:
"external appearance." The word is only used three times in the
Bible: twice here in our Philippians paragraph and then in Mark
16:12. There Jesus, after His Resurrection,
"appeared in another form unto two
of them, as they walked, and went into the country."
Obviously that means an "external appearance!"
The noun "meros" is said to be derived from a
parent verb "meiromai" which means "to share" or "to be
allotted." To be part of!
In other words, to see God the Father ... one
must behold Jesus, Who is the very Form of God!
He is the Visible Appearance of God!
He is God the Son!
Jesus one day said to Philip:
"He that hath seen me hath seen the
Father." John 14:9
In English we use the word metamorphosis
to indicate something that has changed in outward form! That’s a
proper use of "morphe" as it is seen in Scripture.
Further proof that our analysis is on target
can be seen in Philippians 2:7. There Jesus is said to have also
taken upon Himself "the form of a servant." Our Lord beautifully
fulfilled the role of God’s great Servant as prophesied in
Isaiah!
He looked like a servant!
He acted like a servant!
He lived like a servant!
He was God’s Servant!
He assumed that form ... and men beheld Him as
such.
God ... in human flesh ... Jesus!
Praise His dear Name!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 22:
The old debate continues!
Jesus ... Is He "equal" with God?
In His "humiliation," His time on earth as
the suffering Saviour Who came to die for the sins of mankind
... Jesus clearly said: "If ye loved
me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for
my Father is greater
than I." John 14:28
Yet when speaking of Jesus' very Essence, His
Godhood, Paul fiercely declared: "Who,
being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery
to be equal with God!" Philippians 2:6
Jesus, still being very God of very God, did
"voluntarily" humble Himself to die on the Cross! He
obeyed His Father's Will! He gladly assumed the place of a
servant, a common slave! You see, slaves were basically
the only ones Rome ever crucified! Jesus lived His Life as
a lowly slave or servant! He said so in Mark 10:45!
"For even the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom
for many." And here in Philippians 2:7 Paul just
declared that Jesus "took upon Him the
form of a servant." That noun for "servant" is "doulos,"
a common slave! In that sense alone, Jesus said
"My Father is greater than I."
But in His Person, in His Essence, in His
character, in His very Being ... Jesus IS God! God cannot
be subdivided. We DO NOT worship three Gods ... only One
God, Who manifests Himself in a triune manner!
Yes, Jesus is "equal"
with God!
Here Paul reiterates the Doctrine of the
Deity of Christ: "Who, being in the form
of God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God!" Philippians
2:6
The adjective "equal" is "isos" in Greek.
It obviously means "equal" ... but can also mean the
"same!" In geometry two triangles are not said to be "isosceles"
triangles until they have been compared and measured and
identified as being equal in every known way! One Textbook
says the word "isos" means equal in quality or quantity!
Then the noun "robbery," which is spelled "harpagmos,"
means that which is held or seized or retained or even snatched!
In the early years of the seventeenth century this word meant
"that which was robbed from another!"
Paul is saying that Jesus did not think He
had done one thing improper when He revealed the Fact that He
and the Father were "equal!" Our Lord even said this
elsewhere: "I and my Father are one."
John 10:30
And all I can say to these things is "Praise
the Lord!"
Then maybe I will add with the Psalmist:
"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high, I cannot attain unto it." Psalm 139:6
Jesus What a Saviour He is!
Equal with God ... because He is God!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 23:
The Bible says, in Philippians 2:8, that Jesus
"became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross."
That is a strange way of describing someone's
death!
It is guaranteed that when I die ... no one
will say, "Brother Bagwell became obedient to death. He decided
just to go ahead and die! He had other choices, but laid them
aside!"
No! No! No!
When the days of earthly life are
accomplished for this preacher, the only path remaining will be
"the valley of the shadow of death!" That is, if the Rapture
has not yet occurred.
But, with Jesus, it was different!
He had no taint of sin in His body!
None!
And He was God the Son too!
On either count ... sin could not reap its
wages on the Lord!
Sinless men don't have to quote:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 6:23
And the Godhead, being eternal, will never
die! "Before the mountains were brought
forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even
from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." Psalm
90:2
That's why Paul had to describe Jesus' death
on the Cross in such an unusual manner!
"He humbled Himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Philippians 2:8
The verb "become obedient" translates "hupekoos"
and means "to hear" ("akouo") "under" ("hupo"), suggesting a
submissive response to the Words of Another! Here is Jesus
listening to and obeying His Father's Will!
He yielded to death!
Submitted!
Otherwise He would yet, well over two
thousand years later, still be walking planet earth!
Jesus Himself expressed this truth when He
said such things as: "Therefore doth my
Father love me, because
I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man
taketh it from me, but I
lay it down of myself.
I have power to lay it
down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment
have I received of my Father." John 10:17-18
He never would have died on that Cross ...
had He not "bowed His Head and gave up the
ghost."
John expresses it best:
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is
finished: and he bowed His head, and gave up the ghost."
John 19:30
He became "obedient" unto death!
He died voluntarily ... for you and me!
What a Saviour!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 24:
The
Bible says that God the Father has "highly exalted" His Son
Jesus!
"Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above
every name." Philippians 2:9
That verb, "highly exalted," is a compound
word that is spelled like this: "huperupsoo." It literally
means "hyper" exalted! "Hupsoo" means "to elevate!" The Greek
word here, when carefully examined nearly says Jesus has a
"hyper-hyper" Name!
Jesus has been powerfully uplifted and
honored and praised and glorified and magnified by His Father in
Heaven!
Why?
At least partly because of the victory He
purchased for us on the Cross of Calvary!
This special verb,
"highly exalted" is only used once ... right here ... in
all Scripture!
Jesus' exaltation is unique!
"One of a kind!"
There is none like it!
And in today's verse ... even the preposition
"above" is important!
"A name above every name!"
That too spelled "hyper!"
We are surely in the Bible's most "hyper"
charged verse ... and it focuses on Jesus!
In a purely grammatical sense you may
correctly say that we have a "hyper" Saviour! A "super" Lord!
A "chief" Master! An "above and beyond" Protector! The
"superlative" Son of God!
Praise His (highly exalted) Name!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 25:
Paul said it!
In fact, it's a command!
"Do all things without
murmurings and disputings." Philippians 2:14
I think he wrote these words because there
were some murmurings occurring in Philippi!
He later asks two ladies to behave
themselves! "I beseech Euodias, and
beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord."
Philippians 4:2
The verb "do," which is spelled "poieo" in
Greek, gives us the English word "poem!" That which is done or
created or built by an individual!
To live a life without grumbling and arguing
is a "work" of art!
A beautiful achievement!
A "poetic" tribute to the Lord God Who saved
us!
That's why Paul also here says:
"... that ye may be blameless and
harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a
crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in
the world." Philippians 2:15
Also this verb "poieo" is an imperative,
expressed in the present tense. We are to habitually not
grumble!
The noun "murmurings" is interesting too.
"Goggusmos" means something like "debates" or
"grudges."
It is only used 4 times in the whole New
Testament.
And "disputings" is a familiar word. "Dialogismos"
in Greek gives us our English noun "dialogue."
Here it implies a "talking back and forth"
that is contentious!
Incessant verbal "dodge ball," if you please!
Paul says such behavior is not allowed!
It must stop!
What a goal!
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings."
Amen!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 26:
It's one of those beautiful phrases Paul often uses ... no doubt
"dictated" to Him by God the Holy Spirit!
In writing to the Philippians he reminds them
that they are "holding forth the word of
life." Philippians 2:16
What a responsibility!
In fact, this is one of the reasons Paul
gives us to encourage peaceful, godly living!
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be
blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the
midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as
lights in the world;
holding forth the word of life ...."
Let's study those last six words.
The "verbal" here, a present participle, is "epecho"
and is rendered "holding forth!" It means to grasp or firmly
grip something! The prefix "epi" intensifies the implied action
too! To hold onto something, vigorously!
And the present tense reveals that this diligence is to be
practiced continually!
"Hold on," Christian friend! That's our
charge! Our command!
And of course the Word of Life is either the
Bible or the Lord Jesus Christ!
The noun "logos" (Word) is well known. It is
used as a Name both for the written Word of God and the Living
Word of God, Jesus!
But this specific term, "Word of life," is
only found twice in Scripture, here and in 1st John 1:1. And
John definitely uses it as a Name for Jesus.
"That which was from the beginning, which
we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have
looked upon, and our hands have handled, of
the Word of life;
for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and
bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was
with the Father, and was manifested unto us; that which we have
seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the
Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1st John 1:1-3
Think of that, folks!
Paul says we are "holding on" to the Word!
Now, I realize that in many ways the Word of
God holds us!
And Jesus certainly holds or keeps us too!
But there is a sense, a Bible sense, in which
we also "hold on to" or "hold forth" the Word of God or our dear
Saviour, Jesus Himself!
If it were not so ... Paul would not have
told us!
Keep on "holding forth!"
The word picture here may be that of a
faithful soldier strongly gripping a bright lantern on a dark
and stormy night! Standing by the rocky shores somewhere
warning others of impending danger and certain death! Pointing
to safety! To the Harbor!
"Holding forth the Word of Life!"
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 27:
Paul was writing
to the Philippians.
In what is the great Apostle's
"sweetest" Epistle of all, he introduces us to a man named
Epaphroditus.
He was a member of the Church
at Philippi and was likely their Minister too, their Pastor.
He had, at great peril, come to
visit Paul who was in Rome ... in prison!
There is every reason to
believe that he had brought a love offering to the suffering
Paul!
From the Philippians!
He tenderly
cared for the jailed Preacher, though he himself was sick for a
while!
When the time had come for
Epaphroditus to return to the his home Church, Paul wrote ...
"I sent him therefore the more carefully,
that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, receive him
therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and
hold such in reputation:
because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not
regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."
Philippians 2:28-30
Notice today with me the
words: "Hold such in reputation."
But first, when a person has
been consistently faithful to the Lord, fervent in prayer and
generous in spirit, he is to be gladly "received" by the
Church! "Received" in the Lord! The verb here means to joyfully
and eagerly welcome someone ... face to face!
Then comes the brief command:
"Hold such in reputation!"
The verb "hold" (in Greek =
"echo") means to regard, to consider or to maintain something.
And the noun "reputation"
translates "entimos" which suggests that which is dear or
precious or valuable or honorable or prized!
Philippians, when your Preacher
returns from helping poor aged Paul, suffering in jail in Rome
... welcome him home gladly and hold him in high honor!
Paul is here asking the same
thing he did in 1st Timothy 5:17. "Let the
elders that rule well be
counted worthy of double honour, especially they who
labour in the word and doctrine." Respect the Preacher!
And in 1st Thessalonians
5:12-13. "And we beseech you, brethren, to
know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord,
and admonish you; and to
esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake."
Again, highly value the Man of God!
Then again ... as is recorded
here in Philippians 2:29 ... "Receive him
therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and
hold such in reputation."
With determination, honor the faithful Pastor!
Lord, teach us to honor your
Men!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
PHRASES FROM
PHILIPPIANS, NUMBER 28:
The Apostle Paul, talking about the godly man Epaphroditus, said
in Philippians 2:30 ... "Because for the
work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life,
to supply your
lack of service toward me."
Either through sickness or through some form
of persecution, Epaphroditus was once at the point of death!
Why?
To help Paul, who was in prison at that time!
To do for Paul what the Philippians, due to
the hundreds of miles that separated them, could not do!
He "supplied"
their lack of service!
In Bible language, to do certain things for
Paul the Preacher was to "supply" his needs by the grace of God!
That verb is "anapleroo" and means "to fill
to the brim! Actually, "to overflow!" Like a river in rainy
season!
Literally we have this definition: "to fill
full from above!"
The verb is a subjunctive here too. It
implies that this "supplying" was the proper longing and desire
for any Christian to have toward Paul!
Let me stop right here and ask a question.
Christian friend, whom are you "supplying"
with spiritual strength and encouragement?
Or with physical needs even?
Whom in your life, in your "circle" of
acquaintances, is being overflowed with joy and peace and love
and prayers and, when needed, food and funds and fellowship too?
Read the context around verse 30 above. Se
how Paul praised Epaphroditus ... for being such a good
"channel" of blessing!
Today ... be someone's "supply" line!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
Also see "Phrases
From Philippians, Part 2,"
which completes this series of studies from Paul's sweetest
Epistle!
