Philippians – Page 16 – Three Minute Bible

June 17, 2025June 17, 2025

Philippians 1:25 – What About Him?

Picture: Peter asks Jesus about John (John 21:20-21)

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you…

Summary: As we read the words of the Bible, it is easy to jump to conclusions. Jesus’ disciples did the same thing. Yet, if we step back from the words it becomes easier to see the meaning.

Paul is convinced that it is necessary for him to remain “in the body.” In the passage for our meditation, he affirms this when he tells the Philippians, “I know that I will remain.”

Paul is smart. He understands that the timing of his “departure” is not his to choose (Matthew 25:13, Luke 12:13-21). When he says, “I know that I will remain,” he is most likely relaying his conviction that God wants him to remain.

June 16, 2025June 16, 2025

Philippians 1:24 – The Invisible Realm

A picture of a single cloud in a blue sky. (Pixabay)

… but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Summary: This meditation considers what Paul means by saying he can “depart” (Verse 23) or “remain in the body.”

Paul’s words are quite clear in this passage. The discussion of whether or not he should “remain in the body” clearly implies that the alternative is to leave the body.

What does this mean?

June 14, 2025June 16, 2025

Philippians 1:23 – The Power of the Vine

Picture of grapes on a grapevine (Pixabay)

I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…

Summary: Understanding the power of the Gospel is the key to understanding what happens after our bodies die.

Many of you who are reading this have much more experience with death than I do. Some people are better suited to dealing with trauma than others. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the number of deaths this past year. Many of those who are dying are afraid, but every now and then, you hear of people who, like Paul, “desire to depart and be with Christ.”

June 13, 2025June 13, 2025

Philippians 1:21 – Paul’s Dilemma

A picture of Paul as an old man, sitting in a Roman prison in 64 AD. He is resting his chin on his right hand and his eyes are looking up to heaven as he deeply ponders his future. (Grok)

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!

Summary: Paul reflects on his impending death and how to use his remaining time effectively.

Paul’s dilemma is an interesting one.

On the one hand, “to die is Christ.” Paul knows that to be released from the body of flesh means that he can be fully present with the Jesus he first met on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9).

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025

Philippians 1:21 – The Fish and the Camel

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Summary: Death and dying are subjects most people don’t like to talk about, yet each of us will have to confront death at some point. In this passage, Paul’s words give us a clue as to what is waiting for us on the other side of the doorway called death.

When is dying a “good” thing?

Paul seems to be wrestling with this question as he considers the pros and cons of life in the flesh compared to life in the spirit.

June 11, 2025June 11, 2025

Philippians 1:20d – Choosing Life

The father of the Prodigal Son embraces him (Luke 15:11-24) -- Grok

… whether by life or by death.

Summary: This passage brings us to an interesting crossroads between one kind of “life and death” and another.

It is, perhaps, time to review Paul’s entire thought here:

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

June 10, 2025June 10, 2025

Philippians 1:20c – Doing What’s Right

[I eagerly expect and hope that…] that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,

Summary: Paul continues to set an example for us with his life and words.

Paul certainly has a way with words!

If you were going to exalt someone or something, how would you do that? For example, if you are a Muslim and you want to exalt Allah, you prostrate yourself in the direction of Mecca during prayer. This demonstrates respect with your body.

June 9, 2025June 10, 2025

Philippians 1:20b – Bold Assurance

Word cloud generated based on Philippians 1:19-21 using "wordclouds.com"

[I eagerly expect and hope that I…] will have sufficient courage…

Summary: The word “courage” is an interesting choice for a translation of the Greek word Paul used. As we examine the Greek, we discover that there is more to this passage than a desire to be brave.

Do you have “sufficient courage?” Do you know anybody who does?

Whatever the word “courage” means to you, it probably does not capture the essence of what Paul was trying to say.

June 7, 2025June 8, 2025

Philippians 1:20a – All the Difference

A child puts coins ("small change") into a piggy bank (Pixabay)

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed…

Summary: Paul’s hope of being free of shame is a beacon of light for all believers who share his hope in Jesus Christ.

Ashamed by what?

I kinda hate to write on this topic for personal reasons. You see, I have a shame problem! Throughout my long life, I have been shamed by others for many reasons.

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025

Philippians 1:19b – Deliverance

Picture of a man running a race (Pixabay)

… what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Summary: It turns out that Paul’s statement about deliverance is not as simple as it sounds. Exploring the possible meanings of the word opens doors to better understanding our role as Christians.

What does Paul need to be delivered from?

The easy answer to this question is that Paul is in prison, and he wants to be released, free to pursue his mission of spreading the Gospel. Unfortunately, that doesn’t feel very satisfying.