Commentary on Philippians 1:1-18a

Starting this letter by listing both Paul and Timothy as its authors and with a greeting that specifically names the saints, bishops (overseers), and deacons foregrounds the importance of partnership to the work of the gospel. For all of Paul’s notoriety and individual acumen, he signals from the very beginning of this joyous letter that the “good work” of preaching the gospel is done in community. This passage, and this letter more broadly, emphasizes the communal nature of preaching the gospel and the importance of sustained networks of trust.

The language of this passage demonstrates the deep affection that exists between Paul and the church at Phillipi, language befitting this long-term relationship between pastor and people. The emphasis on Philippi being there for Paul “from the very first day” underscores some of the reasoning for that connection. 

As I read this passage, I can’t help but remember Paul’s introduction to the work of preaching the gospel, and how many were suspicious of the man that had just recently been their persecutor. If it had not been for the initial support of Ananias and Barnabas, Paul’s preaching ministry may have been over before it even started (see Acts 9). I would imagine that even with the backing of Barnabas and other apostles, it still took a while for Paul to gain the trust of the communities that were aware of his past life and mission as a tormentor of Christians. 

Yet the Philippians were there from the beginning. They supported him when trust in his transformation required risk. Perhaps their early commitment to Paul challenges us to think about what it means to give those in our community the benefit of the doubt. What does it mean to form partnerships with believers that involve risk? 

This could mean partnerships across socioeconomic or ethnic differences or with believers that hold different political beliefs. It could even mean partnering with those who have been justice-impacted, or with those experiencing housing insecurity, or simply with those who don’t fit the typical profile of our congregations. Paul’s exhortation and celebration of the Philippians’ willingness to partner with him from the beginning challenges us to examine the depth of our partnerships.

The exuberance of Paul’s gratitude flows from their history. He prays “with joy” because their relationship has endured many years of struggle. But that joy is not simply because there has been a good feeling between Paul and the Philippians. This community has demonstrated their commitment to Paul through providing the resources necessary for his work. They have invested materially in Paul’s ministry. Beyond merely encouraging him in the good work, they underwrote it. This context matters when Paul writes that he is “confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” 

I’ve often read this line as a general promise about God’s sanctifying work in believers, and there may still be something to be said for that reading. But in context, Paul is asserting his confidence that the Philippians will continue to partner with him financially, relationally, and spiritually in the proclamation of the gospel. I believe there is not only theological reassurance but rhetorical strategy in Paul’s assertion. 

This letter is as much a celebration of relationship as a fundraising letter, and Paul is making the case that their investment has mattered and continues to bear fruit even as he writes from jail. Read this way, we can note the similarities between this passage and what we might find in a modern-day appeal for support. 

An enumeration and celebration of the success of previous investment serves as the ground for further resources. Paul goes to great lengths to describe how the Philippians, and their resources, have been essential to the successful preaching of the gospel, and how they get to share a claim in it. Amid this passage with lofty language about grace, glory, and the gospel there is a very practical and earthy example of what faith looks like in practice. The work of ministry requires resources, and Paul recognizes that celebrating the past is a persuasive means of securing future funds. 

I believe there is a call here in this text for sermons from this passage to do the work of celebrating the “good work” of the gospel in local congregations. While faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen, remembering what God has already done provides the strength necessary to continue to do the work even when the evidence is uncertain.  That may be why joy looms so large in this letter. Rejoicing in the Lord is a salve against the temptation of withdrawing partnership when your investment seems to be going sour. The world tells us to cut our losses, to pull out when returns diminish. Paul, writing from prison, dares to say something different: Rejoice, and keep investing anyway. 

What does it mean to invest in the gospel without a tangible return? What does faithfulness look like when the payoff is uncertain, delayed, or invisible? This passage does not resolve these questions, but it may inspire sermons that wrestle with them.  

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Holy Lord,

May our love overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help us determine what is best, so that we may be pure and blameless in the sight of Jesus Christ. Amen.

HYMNS

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus   ELW 392, H82 460, 461, NCH 257
Give me Jesus   ELW 770/trad.
Lord, be glorified   ELW 744

CHORAL

Pilgrim’s Hymn, Stephen Paulus