...So, I read chapter 1 four times in four different translations, so I'll share thoughts by translation.
New Revised Standard Version (my old stand-by)
v. 1 - Paul and Timothy call themselves *slaves* of Christ, and we know this is a role they willingly chose. I, too, want to be a slave of Christ, used by him for the Kingdom.
Prayers Paul prays for the Philippians:
1) That they'll receive grade and peace from God
2) He thanks God for them joyfully, because they *share* in the Gospel with him. (He's praying this one constantly.)
3) That their love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight, so that they can determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ they can be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
A prayer of the Philippians for Paul:
That he'll be released from his imprisonment
v. 29 - It is a priviledge to believe in Christ. And it is a priviledge to suffer for him. Does it seem like a priviledge to me? It is - so many people I know don't have the joy of this lifelong Friend who is always faithful, always good, always looking out for us - what peace of soul He brings! What big purposes He brings! What knowledge of sublime beauty and stunning perfection! Believing in Him - trusting in Him is a gift! Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift in Jesus Christ!
v. 14 - Most of the believers have been made confident in the Lord by Paul's imprisonment, and so they tell others the word of God fearlessly and with greater confidence. What mechanism is that??? May I become better united with the Body of Christ so that when another family member suffers for Christ, I gain boldness, too. I don't understand this at all, but I want to.
v. 20-26 - Paul's sufferings must be great - he would rather die. I've certainly had a few moments like that as well, particularly when I've been very sick and in pain. Yet Paul is totally in control in a way that I was not. He's reasoning out loud in this letter - he'd rather die, not so much to escape his sufferings, but rather, because he wanted to be with Christ in person. Is my desire and longing for Christ so great that I would trade all the many pleasures He provides in this life (and there are many - beautiful fall days, marriage to a wonderful man, my cats, great music, time with friends....) - would I trade all this for being in His presence? On this side it doesn't seem like it. This must be one of the reasons our God, full of light and joy, allows suffering. we need reminders that this world isn't the end-all, and that we have Someone wonderful to cling to!
New International Version
v. 3-6 - Paul is full of gratitude and joy, even for these people who have caused him headaches. Is this my go-to attitude? We'll leave that unanswered...
v. 7 Paul affirms that they share in God's grace with him. Despite his more advanced spiritual growth, they are all equal before God. Makes me think about the important distinction between observing someone as a role model and sinfully idolizing someone...
v. 9 - Paul prays that their *love* my abound into knowledge and depth of insight. Their love of God is the starting point. The intellectual stuff is an outgrowth of that.
v. 18 - Again Paul rejoices in a hard place - some are preaching Christ to make Paul's imprisonment more difficult. Yet he rejoices in their preaching, because Christ's fame is more valuable to him than his own comfort. Wow!
v. 20 - "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."
Paul contrasts being ashamed with having courage. What are some things I've been ashamed of? ...other people's actions which *might* reflect badly on me, showing up for something with the wrong attire, being "found out" by others... Paul is saying that his shame would be in not exalting Christ. It doesn't matter if it involves life or death, as long as Christ is exalted.
v. 25 Paul is hoping to stay around in a *crummy* life rather than departing for the Party of all Parties, because he wants to help the Philipians progress and find joy in their faith. He couldn't hope for that unless he had a great joy in his own faith!
New Living Translation
In this translation, the believers are referred to as "all of God's holy people [...] who belong to Christ Jesus." Holy means set apart. And set apart for a PURPOSE. To be holy is to have purpose.
v. 5 - "you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the first time you heard it"...
They wouldn't have been spreading that news if it hadn't tangibly changed their lives. I'm happy to spread news about early childhood music education, about the links between diet and disease, and about learning healthy psychological boundaries, because they have made a real difference in my daily life. And I thank God for those lessons! Have I been allowing the news about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection on my behalf to change my daily life enough to cause me to feel compelled to share it all around?
v. 11 - "the fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ"
I pray that my salvation (it means "healing"!) will produce this fruit!
v. 26 - "And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me."
Paul is not taking any credit or glory for the work he's involved in - he knows it's all God's doing - a grace given to him. That grace, that work will cause the Philippians to be even more proud of Jesus (not Paul.) Am I ever proud of Jesus for his work? I need an attitude adjustment!
v. 27 - "you must live as citizens of heaven"
...Not just as a citizen of 2061-C Montreat Circle, or a citizen of Birmingham 1st Church, or a citizen of the Suzuki Teacher's Association... but a citizen of heaven!
The Message
"Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer."
"Live [...] a life Jesus would be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God."
"everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They don't shut me up; they gave me a pulpit! Alive I am Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose."
"There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting."
