Philippians 1:1-11 - Paul Loves the Philippian Believers

by Katrina

Philippians
Paul had been to Philippi on his second missionary journey and had established a church there. You might remember from Acts 16 that God had called him to go to Macedonia, a Roman colony, and Philippi was the city in Macedonia where Paul stationed himself first. So Philippi was the first church planted in Europe.

Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi while he was in prison at Rome. Of all the letters Paul wrote to churches, this is the most personal one. The church had helped Paul financially at least three times, and this letter was partially a "thank you" for the most recent gift, which Epaphroditus had personally delivered to Paul. While Epaphroditus was with Paul in Rome, he had become ill and almost died. Once he recovered, Paul sent him back to Philippi with this letter.

LINK: Philippians 1:1-11


BACKGROUND
Paul had a close relationship with the believers in Philippi. He greets them in today's passage and communicates to them that (1) he is thinking of them, (2) he loves them, and (3) he is praying for them.

REFLECTION
One of my favorite verses is Philippians 1:6, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." God will always continue to work in our lives, so we will keep growing until the day that Jesus comes back. Isn't that great!

APPLICATION
Paul also prays for the Philippian believers beginning in verse nine. I'm sure you know of someone you could pray this prayer for today, maybe even yourself.


PRAYER
Father, I pray that we will grow in love more and more each day, and that, through your word, we will grow in real knowledge. May we grow in discernment so that we can tell what is excellent. Make us sincere in our faith and able to turn away from sin, because you have filled us with righteousness. May we always continue to grow until the day Jesus returns, all to your glory, amen.