Chapter 9: In Your Heart ========================
From: Meditations on Philippians: Sacrifices of Joy
Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 4min
Philippians 1:7 • 4 min. read • grade level: 8
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“Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”
“Just as it is right (or, just) for me to be thus minded (or, to think this) in behalf of you all, because you have me in your heart (or, because I have you in my heart), as all of you being, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the glad tidings, my fellow-partners of this grace.”
Philippians 1:77Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. (Philippians 1:7)
In our last meditation we pondered Paul’s persuasion that the One having begun a good work in the Philippian saints, would finish it up until Christ Jesus’ day. Now we will see the reason for this persuasion, and that it was not alone that love hopeth all things: but it was the only right and just thing for Paul to think. The “me” is emphatic. Whatever it might be in the eyes of others, for Paul it was the only right thing. And may not this “right” thing apply to more than to the persuasion? Does it not include the Apostle’s thankfulness in verse 3, and his joy in verse 4, at all his remembrance of them. It was right and just that he should be thankful; and right and just that he should rejoice.
And why was it right, or just? The answer may be equally rendered, “Because you have me in your heart,” or, “Because I have you in my heart” (vs. 7). Which did the Spirit of God intend the Philippians to understand? We do not know: but perhaps, since both are true, and the words may mean both; the Spirit intended them to understand it in both ways. A dear little boy was sitting on his mother’s knee, gazing into her eyes. The child said, “Mother, you must love me very much, because you carry round a little picture of me in your eyes: I can see it there.” His mother replied, “And I can see a little picture of me in your eyes: how much you must love me!” It was mutual: and sure I am it was mutual with Paul and the Philippian saints. But let this remind us of Him Who has us in His heart.
We have noticed how often we find the little word “all,” and here again Paul stresses the fact that they were all his fellow-partners. Sad to say they were not all of one mind about certain other matters: but when it came to Paul’s bonds, and the gospel: they were all united: all of one mind. We have spoken of the seven times we find “fellowship” with regard to these saints, and this is one of them. Here it is fellowship with, or being fellow-partners of, Paul’s bonds. We are apt to be ashamed of a friend in jail: but these dear saints were not ashamed, but gloried in being his fellow-partners. Is not this just what is meant in Hebrews, where we read, “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them” (Heb. 13:33Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. (Hebrews 13:3)). That is just what the Philippian saints did towards Paul.
But it was not only in his bonds they had fellowship: it was also in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. The defense is the negative, defensive side: the confirmation is the positive or aggressive side: and there are both sides to the gospel: not only its defense, but also the direct establishment and advancement of it. The Philippians were fellow-partners in both these. And they were “fellow-partners of this grace.” Grace is favor: free, unmerited favor: and these dear saints were not only favored with having a part in the gospel: and what a favor that is!
but they were also favored with having part in Paul’s bonds: and, as we saw, in the same chapter we read: “Unto you it is given, in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (vs. 29). It is a wondrous privilege to preach Christ: but it is no less a privilege to suffer for His sake: you remember the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name. (Acts 5:4141And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (Acts 5:41)). But I fear many of us would prefer not to have this privilege. But the Lord can give, and does give, when the time comes, the grace to suffer for Him: and again let us remember that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. May the Lord help us each to be more like these dear Philippian saints!
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