Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
Summary: Timothy’s work for the Gospel of Jesus is revealed in Paul’s praise for his faithfulness as a son.
Each of us has a different idea of what a father is supposed to be. I sincerely hope that your situation includes a father who loves you and wants the best for you.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:22 – To Advance the Gospel”
I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
Summary: In this passage, we have to peek behind the curtain of the translation to capture the sense of what Paul is really saying.
Timothy must have been someone very special.
I think it is a tremendous testimony that the Christian brothers who surrounded Paul understood what he meant.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:20 – Spiritual Twins”
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
Summary: Life in ancient times lacked the mass communication we take for granted. To share news and ideas required patience and planning.
This passage is a bit challenging to meditate on because it deals primarily with what is called “housekeeping.” Paul is sending a letter to the Philippians, but his reference to Timothy suggests that letters were a means of last resort in sending information.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:19 – Communication”
[Do everything without grumbling or arguing] so that you may become blameless and pure…
Summary: The road to being Christ-like requires that we travel a path of humility in God’s service.
It is interesting that Paul seems to summarize Christian living with two simple words. His words suggest that by doing everything without grumbling or arguing, we can become “blameless and pure.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:15a – Becoming Nothing”
… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage challenge our concept of faith and what it means.
This passage is one of the most significant and possibly most ignored in the entire Bible.
Why is it significant?
It is important because it deals with the core of Christian living.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:12b – Faith and Action”
… to the glory of God the Father.
Summary: Everything Jesus did was to bring glory to his Father. His life is an inspiration to all who believe in him.
There is a saying you might have heard that goes like this: ‘If you know, you know.’ It suggests that you have to be part of the ‘IN’ group to get the meaning.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:11b – If You Know, You Know”
… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
Summary: Verbal acknowledgement is powerful.
Part of exalting Jesus to the highest place is proclaiming his name … out loud. The “out loud” part is important.
“Why?” you ask. Well, let’s explore …
Continue reading “Philippians 2:11a – Say it — Jesus Christ is Lord!”… being made in human likeness.
Summary: As Paul turns the conversation to the nature of Jesus Christ, we discover a dangerous detour that tempts us away from Paul’s main point into a tarpit of our own making.
Before we dive into today’s passage, we need to have a little talk about theology.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:7c – Two Natures”
… by taking the very nature of a servant,
Summary: This passage provides a critical description of Jesus’ character. Understanding Jesus requires that we try to understand what it means to have the “nature of a servant.”
To avoid using his “equality with God” as an advantage, Jesus did things that run counter to our natural instincts for self-preservation. One of those things was “taking the very nature of a servant.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:7b – The Nature of a Servant”
… rather, he made himself nothing…
Summary: Paul’s description of Jesus gives us something to think about: Who is Jesus really?
When Paul writes that Jesus “made himself nothing,” he is not exaggerating.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:7a – Our Jesus”