Chapter 2: The Theme of the Epistle ===================================
From: Meditations on Philippians: Sacrifices of Joy
Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 4min
PHI 1-6 • 3 min. read • grade level: 8
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In considering any book of Scripture it is very helpful to recognize some particular line
of truth of which it speaks. For instance, Ephesians sets forth the Church of God, the Body of Christ: Colossians tells of the glories of Christ, the Head of the Body, and the sad results of not holding the Head: Galatians contends for the work of Christ alone for salvation and walk, without the deeds of the law. The Epistle to the Philippians seems to have as its main theme genuine Christianity, the practical Christian walk of a normal believer down here on this earth. By a “normal believer,” we mean the kind of person the Lord would have every one of us, who believes in Christ, to be down here. This may, perhaps, be all summed up in the one brief statement:
“FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST” (ch. 1:21).
And it is remarkable that (as I reckon) we get the Lord Jesus Christ) mentioned in this Epistle by His
“Christ,” alone 17 times
“Christ,” linked with His Name “JESUS,” or “Lord Jesus.” 20 times
“JESUS,” alone, (2:10) 1 time
“Lord Jesus,” (2:19) 1 time
“Lord,” alone 10 times
(On account of slight variations in readings, we cannot be quite sure of these divisions; but the total is, I believe correct).
Various names and titles, either together, or alone, forty-nine times, or seven times seven: and as we know, seven in Scripture tells us of divine perfection.
Perhaps we may say that the spring, or source, of such a normal Christian life is devotedness to Christ. And so, with the Lord’s help, we will seek to trace the theme of DEVOTEDNESS throughout this lovely little book. Others will tell us that JOY is the special theme; and this also is true. I think we find JOY mentioned five times, and REJOICE mentioned eleven times. But as our Chinese character for joy, so beautifully tells us, true joy is only found in true devotedness: for this character tells us that it is when I present myself and all I have as a living sacrifice upon the altar that I have true joy.
But another will say that FELLOWSHIP, or communion is the theme:
Fellowship in the gospel 1:5
Fellowship together in the grace 1:7
Fellowship of the Spirit 2:1
Fellowship of His sufferings 3:10
Fellowship together in affliction 4:14
Fellowship in giving and receiving 4:15
Fellowship of ministry to the saints:
(Refers to the Macedonian saints) 2 Cor. 8:44Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (2 Corinthians 8:4) Fellowship in its perfection, (seven times), is found here, for these all use the same word throughout in the Greek Testament, though differently translated in English: (1:7 and 4:14, have the little word “together” added, making fellowship together.) So we are not wrong in saying that fellowship is a main theme of the Epistle: fellowship with Christ, and with one another: for, as an old saint has expressed it: “Devotedness to JESUS is the strongest bond between human hearts.” And so I think we may take DEVOTEDNESS as the theme of the Epistle before us: for devotedness includes the joy and the fellowship; or, should we say, the joy and the fellowship surely flow from devotedness?
One hesitates to try and analyze such an Epistle; and a beloved servant of the Lord has written of this little book, “It is, beyond most of Paul’s epistles, impatient of analysis.” I am sure this is true; but perhaps it may help us to speak of it in a very general way, as setting forth:
In Chapter 1: The Character of Devotedness:
In Chapter 2: Examples of Devotedness:
In Chapter 3: The Path, or Power of Devotedness:
In Chapter 4: Hindrances to Devotedness, and the Remedy.
We must note that in this Epistle there is no question of guilt, or sins, taken up. Our eyes are turned, not to ourselves, but to Christ: here we run with endurance the race set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS. (Heb. 12:1-21Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1‑2)).
“Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to thee!” (F.R.H.)
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