It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
Summary: This passage leaves us with both questions and answers. If done cautiously, it can be constructive to consider why Paul wrote what he did.
I notice that Paul says he is writing “again.”
Do you ever wonder what happened to Paul’s first letter to the Philippians?* I suppose that it must have been lost or misplaced. Perhaps, at some point, people started realizing that Paul’s letters were valuable.
Why?
Consider what it was like to be a Christian in the first century.
Jesus died about 33AD. Fifty days later, the Holy Spirit is given to the disciples, and God’s Spirit becomes the driving force of their lives. Not long after that, Stephan was chosen to serve as one of the leaders of the church fellowship, and shortly after that, Stephan was martyred for his faith.
This is when we first hear about Paul, who at that time was known by his Hebrew name, Saul.
We don’t know how long Saul pursued his persecution of the Way (Acts 9:1–2), but it was likely over several years. This brings us to the time of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.
Is there a way of pegging these events to an exact date? Unfortunately, no. We can only guess, but most likely, somewhere around 35 AD, Paul met Jesus. When that happened, everything changed.
Paul became the “Apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13). While the other apostles, formerly Jesus’ disciples, were working to educate the Jews about Jesus, Paul’s mission was to bring Jesus to the Gentiles.
In his role as a missionary, Paul had two sources of information. One was the Old Testament scriptures, which he learned while he studied under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). The other was the direct revelation of God’s will given to him by Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
This connection with God was not given to everyone. Paul’s job was to be an envoy from Jesus to the people Jesus had called to be his own.
This means that the instructions given through Paul were unique in two ways. First, they were special because of Paul’s authority, given to him directly from the Lord. Second, Paul was uniquely qualified to explain God’s will for Gentile believers who trusted Jesus for their salvation.
Authority and clarity — two crystal clear criteria for Scripture, and Paul was given both.
Eventually, the churches recognized that Paul’s writings were not really from Paul, but from God. Paul was simply the messenger. At this point, Paul’s letters were treasured, copied, and shared. That is why there are so many authoritative source documents for the Bible.
Even though the first letter was lost, Paul says, “It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.”
Amen!
Application: The Bible is a gift from God. Treasure it.
Food for Thought: What happens when we teach or are taught the same things over and over again?
*Some speculate this may refer to an earlier, now-lost letter. Others believe Paul is simply repeating prior oral or written teaching. Either way, the repetition serves a pastoral purpose. Also, it should be noted that speculation about a missing letter does not alter the fact that the Scriptures are written exactly as God intended them.
What happens when we teach or are taught the same things over and over again?
I think it’s an observable fact that when we teach or are taught the same things over and over again we memorize and internalize them more. When I say internalize, I mean they begin to affect what we think, how we think, and the actions that come from our thinking. This can be a good thing if we are discerning on what we allow to be repeated to ourselves, but the same works on the other side of the coin; if we allow ideas to be repeated to us that are counter to the Gospel of Christ, it will begin to affect our thoughts and our actions.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Also, in the context of Scripture, teaching or being taught the Word of God repeatedly allows us to understand the deeper meanings and consistency of God’s message throughout the Bible. Not “finding a hidden truth” but understanding the complexity and limitlessness of God’s love. Understanding how His love affects and applies to our own lives.
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Thanks, Chris!
I like the way you point to both sides of the coin! 🙂
Thank You Chris!
What happens when we teach or are taught the same things over and over again?
At some point we just might, Get it.
Our maturing process, growing as believers comes as we realize we have been called to live, walk in the life provided by God, rather than occasionally going to meeting. We have been called into a way of LIFE, not a retirement program which we might look forward to receiving sometime in the future.
Romans 6:4, We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 8:11, But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [a]through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 12:2, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
God is available now, He wants our relationship to be in the now. Study His word, seek the fellowship of other believers, apply His will for our lives as we surrender ours and pursue life in His presence now.
Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Luke 18:1, Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Psalm 1:2, But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Thank you, Ron!
Yes, some of us (me) are slower than others. Repetition helps! 🙂