Philippians 1:7-8 - The Joy that Binds Us

Passage of Paul's letter to the Philippians.

And as we saw last week, here we find Paul in a state of thanksgiving and joy.

Because Paul was not writing to the Philippians in order to correct them.

Instead, he writes a warm and encouraging letter to the church that he had planted years earlier, who are exemplifying the loving kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let's read our text, and then we can break it down.

This is Philippians chapter 1, verses 7 and 8.

Philippians 1:7

This is God's word.

Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

For God is my witness how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Now these pass these verses come right in the middle of a larger passage, sort of a bridge between the exhortation of verses 3 to 6 and the prayer of verses 9 to 11.

But this short passage stands on its own as a testament to Paul's joy.

And tonight we will look at five elements of the joy for Paul felt towards the Philippian church.

In the beginning of verse 7, we see our first element, which is the justification for Paul's joy.

Verse 7 starts off by saying, indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you.

So what way was Paul thinking?

First, let's examine the word think.

Some translations use the word feel.

It is right for me to feel this way about you.

Now the Greek word is phrenale, which Paul uses several times in this letter.

And in the context of this verse, Paul is setting his affection on the Philippians because they are like-minded in their gospel work.

If we go back to last week in verses 3 to 6, he is thankful for their faithful support, joyful for their partnership, and confident that God will complete his good work in them.

And we could look ahead to next week, where he makes fervent prayer for their spiritual growth in verses 9 to 11.

This way of thinking is a clear sign of Paul's deep, unbreakable bond with the Philippian church.

Another key phrase here is all of you, as in all of the Philippians.

And he uses a form of this phrase ten times in the first eleven verses of the book.

And unlike any of his other letters, he specifically calls out the overseers and the deacons as part of this group.

And it is right for Paul to be justified in how he thinks about the Philippians.

Make no mistake, Paul is delighted with them.

And how could he not be, considering the evidence they have shown over all these years that they were indeed faithful in their support of him?

And that brings us to our second element, the reason for Paul's joy.

Let's go back to the beginning of verse 7.

Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart.

Now, the word heart here does not refer to the physical organ, but is always used figuratively in Scripture.

The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, the emotions, and will.

And the expression, I have you in my heart, signifies a strong bond between Paul and his church.

Paul values these people not merely as acquaintances, but as family, not only for their financial support, but for their brotherly love.

And this was the main point Paul was trying to make to them as he wrote this letter.

The church at Philippi was special to Paul.

It was on his second missionary journey when he established it as the first Christian church in Europe.

He had a profound affection and a tender concern for his church, stemming from consistent support, prayers, and financial giving, which demonstrated their love for him.

Their unity in the faith made them a shining example of what a Christian community should look like.

And this expression, I have you in my heart, could just as easily say, because you have me in your heart.

It is true that the Philippians had a large place in their hearts for Paul, and the love between the two was reciprocal.

This should be the basis for all relationships in the Christian community.

Our relationships should evoke sentiments that bind us beyond basic friendships.

They should lead us closer to the heart of God and intensify our desire to share the good news of Jesus Christ with each other and the larger community.

And this brings us to our third element.

We saw the justification for Paul's joy and the reason for Paul's joy.

And now we see the evidence of Paul's joy.

Let's read verse 7 again.

Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

The key evidence is that the Philippian church were true partners with Paul.

Let's take a closer look.

It says, partners with me in grace.

The Greek definition of this phrase translates as being a co-participant in an enterprise or a matter of joint concern.

In this case, it is the salvation of the lost.

This stays in context with the reciprocal love between Paul and the Philippians.

They are co-laborers, each having a necessary role that supports the other.

And it is an active role, not a passive one.

More specifically, in this context, the word grace would refer to the undeserved strength from God to carry on the work of the kingdom in the face of severe opposition.

Grace is God's supernatural power to exert his holy influence upon souls, turning them to Christ, keeping them in Christ, strengthening them in Christ, and growing them in Christ's likeness.

All of this demands the participation of the body.

Paul could not do it alone, and physically, he was alone.

As we read in verse 7, he reminds them of something they already knew: that he was indeed in prison.

It says, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

Now, the book of Philippians is famously labeled as one of the prison epistles.

Paul was under house arrest in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier, and unable to work.

In order to pay his expenses, he relied on the support of the churches he planted, and the Philippians were first and foremost in their financial support.

But it was their work of the kingdom that made the biggest impact.

While he was able to receive visitors, his ability to share and defend the gospel was limited.

And this is another area where the Philippian church raised their level of support.

This bond of togetherness, particularly in hard times, is a strong theme throughout the letter, showing that Paul and the Philippians have a history of enduring trials together.

The verse also speaks of the shared mission they have, defending and confirming the gospel message.

This shows that their support extends beyond emotional and financial comfort.

The partnership is active and purposeful.

This shared mission of spreading and defending the gospel creates a profound bond between believers, which, as we will see later in this passage, is rooted in the love and affection of Jesus Christ.

Paul was out there as a missionary, evangelizing and planting churches, and he was in chains because of it.

He needed help, he needed prayer, and he needed financial support.

And the Philippians provided it joyfully.

This hardship required them to stand together.

Brothers and sisters, as a church congregation, we are called to stand together with our pastors and the elders in this work, just as the Philippians were doing with Paul.

Everyone's role in this spiritual family is crucial.

True Christian fellowship requires active partnership, shared suffering, and mutual responsibility in advancing the gospel.

Paul is stating through this verse that the Philippian church members were not mere spectators.

They are full partners in grace who validate the gospel through their ongoing support and shared hardships.

Now, in the ancient Roman world, imprisonment brought immense stigma and shame.

But the Philippian church stood united with one another and with their imprisoned leader, refusing to distance themselves from hardship and persecution.

And this is part of the grace we spoke of earlier.

In verse 6, Paul expresses absolute confidence that God will complete the good work he started in the believers.

And in verse 7, he gives us the reason for this confidence, their enduring affection and loyalty to the gospel mission.

Their active partnership serves as the tangible proof of their salvation.

The Philippians were sharing the gospel by speaking the truth and living it out.

And this is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit, who transforms their lives.

Evidence that the gospel is true.

And their reciprocal love implies a deep Christ-like bond that unifies the church across all circumstances.

So, how does this affect Christians of today?

Now there are several layers to this, so let's take them one at a time.

Verse 5 tells us that the Philippians were partners in the gospel from day one.

They did not distance themselves from Paul when he was arrested.

And that could be a standard for us as a church.

In the past five to six years, we have gone through the cancel culture.

Christians across America are falling into the trap of not wanting to offend, and it is silencing our witness.

Believers are facing persecution for their faith, and this verse challenges us to support them rather than abandon them.

Another thing to look at is that the Philippians were true partners with Paul.

They were active in ministry with him.

It was a joint effort.

Now, modern church culture often defaults to passive consumption.

It is a lot of listening, but not a lot of doing.

But this verse demands a personal investment of time, finances, and prayer into the local church.

Paul also mentions the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

In today's age, we are dealing with a digital world.

False teachers are screaming out of our phones, and the influence is high.

So we must have a higher level of defense.

And in the same way, people view our social media pages and we wonder why they might call us hypocrites.

Are we the same in the world as we are in the church?

Our moral integrity must clearly confirm our love for Christ.

And finally, our Christian calling does not change because our circumstances are difficult.

Shared hardship creates deeper community bonds and grows our spiritual strength.

So how do we do this?

How do we build relationships within our body?

In verse 6, Paul is confident that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

So where does the power come from to build relationships in the church?

Well, the God who began a good work in the Philippians and is sure to complete it is the same God who has begun a good work in us and will complete it by glorifying us when Jesus returns.

But while we wait for that, there are some practical steps that we can take.

Number one, when we serve others, we can shift from duty to affection.

Paul didn't just minister out of obligation.

He actively loved his community.

Is there a relationship where you are simply going through the motions or not 100% sincere?

I invite you to intentionally pray for that person and shift your mindset from a call duty into genuine, affectionate care.

Number two, we can stand with others in times of hardship.

As we said earlier, the Philippians didn't abandon Paul when he was arrested.

They publicly partnered with him despite the danger.

So let us consider church leaders and members who are facing personal trials.

Reach out with support, such as a prayer, a meal, or financial assistance, proving that your loyalty does not decrease during their difficulties.

And number three, represent God with both words and deeds.

Paul mentions the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

How we speak and how we act will show the world the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Match your words with an honest lifestyle so your actions serve as a practical example of your message.

So as you can see, our relationships within the body are important.

They must be built on mutual love and support.

Being there for one another creates resilience and promotes growth in our spiritual journey.

Let this be a call to action to nurture our relationships within our church community.

And that brings us to our fourth element, and that's the validation of Paul's joy.

Let's read our passage again.

Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

Now, verse 8.

For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

For God is my witness.

Now the definition of a witness is someone who has information or knowledge of something and therefore can bring it to light or confirm it.

In this case, the witness is the omniscient God, the Lord of truth, the one who cannot lie.

In the courtroom of life, there is no better witness than God.

Now, the phrase, for God is my witness, isn't an expression to be tossed around lightly.

Paul speaks with a sense of accountability before God.

This adds authenticity and sincerity to his proclamation of love.

In the Bible, oats were often seen as solemn promises made before God, reflecting a person's commitment and integrity.

Paul was so sure of his relationship with God and the integrity of what he was about to say that he points to God as being his witness.

Paul is not being validated by man who is flawed and has a propensity to lie.

He is calling God to the witness stand to vouch for everything he feels and says about the Philippian people.

Because God knows the hearts of all of us.

He consciously connects his feelings of love to God, asserting that they are genuine and heartfelt.

And because he is in prison, he is not able to have a personal connection or fellowship with them.

He says, How deeply I miss all of you.

Now the repetition of the phrase, all of you, emphasizes that his love does not discriminate.

He cares for every member of the church, showing no favorites, which reflects the inclusive love of Christ.

He is not just addressing the leaders or prominent figures, he longs for the relationships built with everyone within the community.

He is talking about Lydia, who held church in her house.

He's talking about the slave girl that he drove a demon out of.

He's talking about the jailer whose whole household was saved.

When he says in verse 3, I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, these are the people he remembers.

Paul knows this church.

He won the souls of this church.

He was the conduit through which the power of the Holy Spirit poured out.

This is why he's yearning for them with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Now, so far, we have seen the justification, the reason, the evidence, and the validation of Paul's joy.

And that brings us to our fifth and final element, the source of Paul's joy.

Let's read verse 8 again.

For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

So it was clear in this text that Paul's source of joy comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.

And the attribute he uses is affection.

So let's spend a few moments on the word affection.

The Greek translation is the word splocknon, and it literally refers to the region of one's bowels.

For example, in Acts chapter 1 and verse 18, it describes a remorseful Judas falling from the tree he hung himself on, hitting the ground, and his intestines splattering on the rocks.

Acts 1 · chapter mention

Now, I don't think that's what Paul is referring to here, but in the New Testament, the word for bowels is primarily used in a figurative way.

The region of the bowels was regarded as the center of feelings, such as affection, sympathy, and compassion.

In much the same way that the word heart is used, not as an organ in your chest, but as the center of intellect, emotion, and will.

Paul is alluding to the sympathy, tenderness, and love of Christ.

Paul thus describes his longing as the same as Christ's longing, as if the very heart of Christ dwelt within him.

When he gave himself for it.

And brothers and sisters, this love is not a manufactured love.

And it is not a love that comes naturally to us.

So, how will this love come about?

How can we have the affection of Christ towards one another?

Hebrews chapter 10 and verses 24 to 25 gives us an answer.

Hebrews 10 · chapter mention

And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Now the Bible urges us to fellowship with other believers.

And the writer's implication was that some were not doing that, thus missing out on the love that fellowship produces.

One of the most beautiful sights and sounds is our sanctuary filled with conversation 30 minutes after the service ends.

We have all kinds of events.

Prayer meeting on Wednesday night, Bible studies, monthly breakfasts, teas and brunches.

Several times a year, the gym is full with some type of church meal.

And if you were here today, you saw that example of it.

Brothers and sisters, this is where that affection starts and this is where it grows.

All Christians must share an active, intentional, and loving investment in the lives of other believers.

Now, another way to experience this love and affection is to serve.

Christ was the ultimate servant.

Brothers and sisters, there are so many ways to do God's work.

Join a ministry.

Find something to do around here.

There is enough work to go around.

Our church is a beautiful mosaic of God's creation.

Each one of us is unique, special, and set apart.

But our common bond is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because it is the gospel that binds us together.

Working together as partners in grace will generate the affection for one another that we are to have.

The scriptures teach us to love one another with brotherly love.

Romans 12 10.

The Apostle John wrote that we were to lay down our lives for one another, 1 John 3.16.

And that we are to give our possessions to each other if there is any need.

1 John 3.17.

No greater partnerships exist than when people work together in the gospel effort.

There is no greater work to do.

Both the effort and the results are a privilege because all are working for the same goal to share the grace of God with others.

Grace is central to the message, and it is absolutely central to the life God intended for us.

When we focus our attention on the gospel and do the work that God has given us to do, our hearts will be transformed by grace through his word.

In this way, we will develop the self-sacrificing love that God calls us to have.

And maybe you are here today and you don't know Christ as your Savior.

You don't have this special bond.

Maybe you are looking for the affection that only Christ can give you.

Well, out of his immense love for us, God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all those who believe.

Through faith in him, we received the free gift of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life.

And you can have that.

But without this gift of forgiv for this gift of forgiveness and reconciliation, we are all headed for judgment.

God saved the Apostle Paul, who spent his life murdering Christians and turned him into the single greatest spokesman for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He has the power to save anyone.

Can he not save you?

And maybe you're thinking, I don't deserve this gift of eternal life.

Well, none of us do.

Maybe you're thinking, I'm not good enough to be saved.

Well, you don't have to be.

In fact, you can't.

In Mark chapter 10, verse 18, Jesus said, no one is good except God alone.

Mark 10:18

So if we are not good, what must we do to be saved?

In Acts chapter 16, the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas this very question.

Acts 16 · chapter mention

And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

It is never about what we can do, it is only about what Christ has already done.

All those who believe in Christ will be forgiven and will have eternal life.

Believe in him, cry out to him.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

He will turn no one away.

And you will become part of the family of God and experience the wonderful love we have for one another.

Brothers and sisters, true Christian fellowship is resilient to distance and suffering.

It transcends physical separation and hardship.

As we continue to grow together in Christ, let us remember to lift each other up in challenging times, sharing God's grace, and defending the gospel fervently.

Paul's confinement did not stifle his joy or his love.

Rather, it proved the supernatural bond shared by those united in Christ.

This bond serves us as a reminder that we have a shared mission, one that strengthens us individually and collectively as we spread the love of Christ to our communities.

Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the beautiful gift of Christian community and fellowship.

Teach us what it means to be a true partner in the gospel.

Just as Paul held the believers at Philippi close to his heart, help us to value and love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I pray that we would be united in spirit, sharing in your grace, whether we are in hardship and trial or actively standing up to defend and confirm the truth of your good word.

Help us to bear with each other's burdens and rejoice when the gospel is advanced.

Fill our hearts with the tender compassion of Jesus that we too can yearn for your people with Christ like affection.

Knit our hearts together across every distance and circumstance, so that our love for one another reveals your grace to a watching world.

In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.