Philippians 1:1-11!

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Introduction

Philippians 1:1–11: Today we begin reading the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which he wrote while in prison. This community of believers in Philippi, located in the Roman province of Macedonia (Acts 16:12), was the first church Paul established on European soil. The letter is marked by its emphasis on joy, confidence, unity, and perseverance in the Christian faith and life. It also reveals the deep affection Paul had for the believers at Philippi. He begins with a greeting, traditionally used in formal Greek letter writing, followed by a prayer of thanksgiving.

Today’s Key Verse: Philippians 1:11 GNT

Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.

Read

1 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus—

To all God's people in Philippi who are in union with Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and helpers:

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

3 I thank my God for you every time I think of you; 4 and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy 5 because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. 6 And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. 7 You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly. 8 God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.

9 I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, 10 so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. 11 Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.

Reflect

Reread verses 3–11. What does Paul pray for? What does Paul’s prayer indicate about his relationship with the Philippian church? Paul refers to Christ’s return several times throughout the letter. Twice in this opening chapter, Paul refers to the “Day of Christ” (verses 6 and 10), inviting his readers to consider their present lives in light of Christ’s return.

Pray

Lord God, I want to be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. Please help me continue growing in Christlikeness, abounding in true knowledge and discernment, so I can make wise choices each day. Amen.

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