Sharper Iron — Letters from Prison – Philippians 1:1-11: The Epistle of Joy

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Even though St. Paul writes from prison, his letter to the church in Philippi is full of joy. Philippi had been his first place of work in Macedonia on his second missionary journey, and although he had been thrown in prison there for a short time, his connection with the Philippians was strong in Christ. As he begins his letter to them, he tells them of his constant thanksgiving to God for them due to their partnership in the Gospel. The Philippians are partakers with Paul in grace, and he prays that they would abound in love until the day of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Philippians 1:1-11.

To learn more about Calvary Evangelical, visit calvarymechanicsburg.org.

“Letters from Prison” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Even when Paul was imprisoned for the sake of Christ, the Word of God remained unbound. The apostle’s letters from prison still fill us with the same joy that his chains could never silence.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.

Philippians 1:1-11

Greeting

1 Paul and Timothy, servants[a] of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers[b] and deacons:[c]

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[d] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

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Footnotes

Philippians 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface

Philippians 1:1 Or bishops; Greek episkopoi

Philippians 1:1 Or servants, or ministers; Greek diakonoi

Philippians 1:7 Or you all have fellowship with me in grace