Jesus – Page 9 – Three Minute Bible

June 19, 2025June 19, 2025

Philippians 1:26 – Pointing to God

A picture of a person in Paul's day, with their left hand raised towards heaven and their right hand over their heart, earnestly talking to the others about God. (Grok)

… so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Summary: Paul’s use of the word “boast” allows us to take another look at our dual nature in Christ.

“Boasting” is an interesting word. The Greek word Paul used is “kaúchēma,” which can mean “boasting,” “glorying,” or “rejoicing” (Strongs G2745*). The Strong’s Concordance adds an interesting note about this word. It says it can be used in a “good or bad sense.”

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 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 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 4, 2025June 4, 2025

Philippians 1:18c – Rejoice!

Picture of Paul in a Roman jail cell, looking up to heaven with joy on his face (Grok)

And because of this I rejoice.

Summary: In the face of adversity Paul defies the temptation to despair and instead finds reason to rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus Christ is alive and well.

Why is Paul rejoicing?

He has just listed a litany of reasons to be glum. First and foremost, he is in prison: literally in chains. Then, while he is chained, all his rivals are free to do their dastardly deeds unfettered by Paul’s presence to restrain them.

May 31, 2025June 1, 2025

Philippians 1:17b – The Human Herald

Paul, writing about spiritual forces. (Grok)

… not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

Summary: Looking at Paul’s letter from a human perspective reveals a Paul who is, like us, an imperfect vessel.

As you no doubt remember from our last meditation, Paul is talking about the people who preach Christ for unchristian reasons. So far, Paul has mentioned that they are motivated by “envy and rivalry” (Verse 15) and “selfish ambition” (Verse 17a). In this passage, he adds that they hope to “stir up trouble” for him while he is in prison.

Who would do such a thing, and why?

May 26, 2025May 26, 2025

Philippians 1:14a – Remembering Our Heroes

And because of my chains…

Summary: Memorial Day is a special day of remembrance. We owe a special debt of gratitude to all who have fought for our country and died for our freedoms.

Note: This meditation was written for publication on Memorial Day, 2025.

Chains, for the person bound by them, are a constant reminder of confinement. A person who is chained is a slave to the chains.

May 24, 2025May 25, 2025

Philippians 1:13b – Ralphus and Salina

A picture of Ralphus and Salina at dinner. (Grok)

[As a result] … it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

Summary: It requires some imagination to open up the mind to what Paul means when he describes the “whole palace guard” being aware that he is in chains for Christ.

Meditations are the playground of theology. When we meditate on a passage like this, it is okay to have some fun. For example, let’s imagine that one of the palace guards is a man named Ralphus. Ralphus is married to Salina, and the two of them live near the palace in a small apartment.

Our scene opens late one evening as Ralphus gets home from work.

May 21, 2025May 21, 2025

Philippians 1:11c – The Glory of God

—to the glory and praise of God.

Summary: In this meditation, we arrive at the end of Paul’s prayer. Here at the end, Paul points us to the goal of bringing glory and praise to God.

As we arrive at the end of Paul’s prayer, we can be forgiven if we are wondering, “Why?”

Why do we want to discern what is best? Why do we need “depth of insight?” Why would anyone want to make an effort to be pure and blameless?