Philippians 1
"Joy" and "rejoicing" are keywords in the book of Philippians.
The Philippians were in fellowship with Paul in the gospel! They helped support Paul with material resources. He circles back around to this in Philippians 4:10-19. Because of their partnership with him in the gospel he was confident that God was at work in their lives.
Paul knew that the good work the LORD started in their lives would be carried on to completion by God as well. God finishes what he starts. These people were participants with Paul. He said they were partners with him in grace.
Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ".
Paul prayed that their love would abound more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. What does this mean? He continues, "...that you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;" This is connected back to the prayer that their love would abound.
Love needs to be within the boundaries of knowledge and judgment. We need to keep love within the boundaries of truth so that we don't offend the Lord and others. It is possible to think we are loving people, but if it is a love outside the boundaries of truth it can cause offence before God.
Paul's prayer is that their love would be within the boundaries of knowledge and all judgment so that they would be sincere and without offence.
In what areas can love be outside the boundaries of truth?
When we allow ourselves to love a person more than we love God. I've seen specific examples of this in my family when someone was determined to have a deep and emotional relationship with a family member who was an unbeliever.
Making "life" agreements with unbelievers, and justifying this by calling it "love" for a sister or brother is a trap of the devil. While saying they love this person they are at the same time breaking God's word in the process. (Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
This is love outside the boundaries of truth and good judgment. Jesus spoke of this when he talked about how love for God can at times appear as hatred toward family. Luke 14:26, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."
In Philippians 1:12 Paul mentions that the things that happened to him resulted in the furtherance of the gospel. What things was he talking about? He tells us in the next verse, "So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;" What was the effect of this? Verse 14, "...many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear..."
Courage in the face of persecution and adversity can be contagious. When we are bold in our faith for Jesus it can inspire other people to be bold for the Lord Jesus as well. We can have a positive effect on others, even if we are suffering for the faith. In this way we can see the wisdom and truth of Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Not only were there people who were inspired by Paul's testimony, but others were also preaching Christ out of envy or jealousy of Paul's success in ministry. Regardless of what motives people had, Paul rejoiced because he was simply happy that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ was being promoted and glorified.
In Philippians 1:21 Paul expresses his faith in a way that demonstrates he was completely free from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15). He had no fear of death. He said that to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Be careful how you apply this verse. I've seen Christians who were depressed and discouraged express a desire to die, and justify a death wish by using this bible verse.
Expressing a death wish is taking this bible verse out of context. Paul did not wish that he would die because he was depressed and discouraged. The entire letter to the Philippians is filled with the words "joy" and "rejoice". Paul does not want to die because he is depressed and tired of living. He is just making a statement of fact. It is better to be with Jesus in heaven.
However, he goes on right after this to say that he knows that he will remain in the body and continue to live in the body in order to serve the Philippians. Paul reaffirmed the importance of living life to the fullest through serving others.
When people express a desire to die they have stopped having an attitude of serving others. Suicide is the ultimate expression of self worship. It is like when a star collapses in upon itself and becomes a black hole.
Without the life of the Holy Spirit inside of us the human soul becomes a bottomless abyss of darkness, and will suck the life out of everyone around that person. You can feel what I am talking about if you get around people who are self worshipers. They will suck the life out of you. Just like a black hole.
Paul's desire to depart and be with Christ was not an expression of suicidal ideology. It was a statement of his love for Jesus Christ. Look at verse 24, "Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you, and having this confidence I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith."
Be very careful to never give place to that spirit of death, and cast it out of your life. The Lord has delivered me personally from this evil spirit, and gave me in the place of it this word of life: Psalm 118:17, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." Choose LIFE, and not death.
Suffering is a normal part of the Christian life. Don't be surprised when you encounter affliction, suffering, or persecution. All of this is part of living in this fallen world of sin. But greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). Paul tells us the truth in verse 29 about suffering: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake."
When you actively engage in serving the Lord Jesus you will suffer from the attack of the enemy. We have to endure this, overcome it, and keep putting one foot in front of the next. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13).
Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9-13.
Mike Kines
July 25, 2025