Acts 25:1-12

More than two years have passed since Paul stood before Felix while the Jews brought charges against him. (Recall that Paul had been taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea in the middle of the night.) So after these two years Festus arrives as the new governor and very quickly takes a trip to Jerusalem. There he (presumably) visits the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin?), a “pro forma” thing to do for a new governor. And presumably he is asking what issues they want to discuss. So first and foremost, these leaders want Paul tried before their council. More than two years have gone by and Paul is still foremost in their minds. Unbelievable!! The fear that the Jewish leaders had of this new religion and this powerful preacher…!!

So a week or two later… It’s a bit muddled, I think. Paul was being tried before Festus in Caesarea, when in the middle of it all Festus asked Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” (v. 9b) Those charges were charges by the Jewish leaders, presumably that Paul had committed crimes against the Law or the temple or Caesar. (v. 8) But Paul was already before Festus’ tribunal in Caesarea and his Jewish accusers were before him. Why was this situation not sufficient for a trial? Why would Festus offer Jerusalem, except to appease the Jews? And why would Paul say, “I appeal to Caesar.” (v. 11b) Why would he not say that he was already before a Roman tribunal in Caesarea, with no need to go elsewhere? Or was this appeal Paul’s ticket to get to Rome – where he had long desired to go? Interesting…!

Slava Bohu!

Philippians 4:10-23

It’s helpful to recall Paul’s previous visits and activities with the Philippians. He met them on his second missionary journey, when he and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail and the Philippian jailer was converted. From there he went to Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth, where he stayed for 18 months. It is this journey that Paul mentions in today’s reading in verse 16 (Even in Thessalonica…) and in verse 15 (…when I left Macedonia…). Then on his third missionary journey Paul traveled through Philippi after spending two to three years in Ephesus, then went down to Corinth and back through Philippi on his way to Jerusalem. It was on this third missionary journey that Paul was collecting funds for the relief of the poor in Jerusalem – with both the Thessalonians and the Philippians generous in their giving. So when Paul says in verse 10, I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity…, he is likely recalling the Philippians’ generosity on both his second and third missionary journeys. At the end of his third missionary journey Paul spent two or more years in Jerusalem and Caesarea before going to Rome. So the Philippians may have lost touch with him during this prison time in Caesarea and Rome when they had no opportunity… But now Paul says, from his prison cell in either Caesarea or Rome, …now at length you have revived your concern for me.

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. (v. 17) While Paul is indeed thankful for the Philippians’ generosity and their supplying his needs, he is more thankful that their gifts for him are recognized by God: I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (v. 18b) Here Paul is alluding to wilderness and temple sacrifices that Jews have long offered to God. I want to make the point here that our generosity toward the Kingdom is recognized by God. Our small gifts – our time, treasure, and talent – are seen by God and they accrue to our account with Him. Our tithes and offerings do not go unnoticed! Christians need to get out from under the burden of required giving and move to the glory that comes from cheerful giving (II Corinthians 9:7). GLORY!!

Slava Bohu!

Philippians 4:1-9

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women… (vv. 2-3a) I hadn’t mentioned it before when I was posting about Epaphroditus, but apparently he had come from Philippi to see Paul in prison and to bring assistance of some sort from his Philippian brothers and sisters (as we will read tomorrow). So it seems that Epaphroditus also brought word of difficulties between these two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Paul does not write that specifically, but he bids these two women “to agree” about something and he asks a Philippian friend to “help these women”. Paul does not mention the matter in which they need help, but we could readily conclude that it’s the same matter in the previous verse – their “agreement”. One wonders at the topic of their disagreement.

Paul offers another “imitation” verse: What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me… (v. 9a) He must have enormous confidence in his walk with the Lord!

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, … honorable, … just, … pure, … lovely, … commendable, … any excellence, … anything worthy of praise… (v. 8) Breaking out these words/phrases separately gives each of them more visibility. Makes it easier to think on what we should be thinking about…!!

Slava Bohu!

Philippians 3:12-21

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (vv. 13b-15) It’s easy for us to overlook those three words, “think this way”. So here are those same thoughts, re-stating verses 14 and 15a to give us a better sense of what Paul is asking directly of us: “Let those of you who are mature forget what lies behind and … press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This re-phrasing adds some clarity to his “think this way”.

Paul uses two powerful words/phrases in that first ESV translation above, “straining” and “press on”. Both of these words/phrases have some sense of persistence and determination. Paul wants us to be “straining forward”, not just simply looking ahead. And he wants us to “press on”, not just rest in our acceptance of our future reward. I’m thinking of the “full court press” in basketball – an intense focus on disrupting the other team. Paul is telling us not to simply rest on our forgiveness and salvation in Jesus, but to move forward with intensity. And if we’re not at that point, just wait and the Lord will deal with us on that matter!!

Finally, …hold true to what we have attained. (v. 16) Paul wants us to “hold true” to where we are – again, don’t just rest in it, embrace it! Love where we are and the life that we are living! And he follows that up with another of his “imitation” calls: Brothers, join in imitating me… (v. 17a) Paul is confident in his approach to his current state (in his case, prison) and in his future direction – so confident, in fact, that he can ask us to do likewise. It’s a worthy calling!

Slava Bohu!

Philippians 3:1-11

I haven’t mentioned Paul’s triads for a while, but we have two today that jumped off the page at me! First, as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. (vv. 5b-6) I really like the structure, the composition of this first triad, kind of a “question and answer” format: the Law? A Pharisee! Zeal? Persecutor! Righteousness? Blameless! To me, the way it’s written, it’s powerful, hard-hitting – a very good writing style.

And the second triad (in the NASB), …that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings… (v. 10a) Say that to yourself. Say it out loud. Say it again! Pray it! There’s nothing more that you want, folks! There’s nothing more in life…! GLORY!!!

Slava Bohu!

Philippians 2:19-30

It’s interesting how Paul does what he can to stay in touch with his churches even though he himself is in prison: I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. (v. 19) So Paul’s plan is to send Timothy, then have him return. Paul clearly has high regard for Timothy: For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. (v. 20) It’s so important in our Christian world that pastors have faithful parishioners who can serve in a variety of ways – the pastor himself can’t do everything!! Upon reading our St. Andrew’s Annual Report one year I counted some 30 people in leadership positions in a variety of ministries. We are well served at St. Andrew’s! Even while David is gone on Sabbatical we continue to operate, with faithful people in the pulpit and “on the ground”. One of Mark Bruner’s real problems in CZ is not having others step up into needs that arise. So sad, because Mark works so hard!

Paul does not state it clearly in today’s reading, nor did my Study Bible comment on it, but I gathered from the reading that Epaphroditus was to be the person who would hand-deliver this letter to the Philippians: I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need … So receive him in the Lord with all joy… (vv. 25, 29a). My Study Bible did comment that Philippi was Epaphroditus’ home.

Here’s an item I shared with Carol this morning that she also found interesting:

“Interestingly, Epaphroditus’s name is of pagan origin. It means “belonging to Aphrodite”—the name of the goddess is actually incorporated into the name Epaphroditus. Such is the power of the gospel that a man is set free from dead paganism to serve the living God. When Epaphroditus received the gospel, he was “belonging to Jesus,” and the idol had no more claim on him, regardless of his name. The new birth trumped the birth name.”

https://www.gotquestions.org/Epaphroditus-in-the-Bible.html

Slava Bohu!

Philippians 2:12-18

…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you… (vv. 12b-13a) I wanted to say a few words about this “fear and trembling”, but I found an online source that already has it covered:

“The Greek word translated ‘fear’ in this context can equally mean ‘reverence’ or ‘respect.’ Paul uses the same phrase in II Corinthians 7:15, where he refers to Titus as being encouraged by the Corinthians’ reception of him ‘with fear and trembling,’ that is, with great humility and respect for his position as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul himself came to the Corinthian church in ‘weakness and fear, and with much trembling’ (I Corinthians 2:3), mindful of the great and awesome nature of the work in which he was engaged.”

https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-and-trembling.html

We “work out our salvation” simply by being obedient to Jesus’ words, growing into a mature faith. It’s not a “faith vs. works” issue; we’re not working our way to heaven. It’s simply being the person Jesus wants us to be – modeling His life and words and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing… (v. 14) Seven words, one complete verse, ‘nuff said…!

Slava Bohu!

Philippians 2:1-11

Today’s reading, especially verses 4-11, is probably a favorite for all of us. Certainly it is for me. Even now the refrain from “He is Lord” is running through my head. So many words that Paul wrote are so glorious, so beautiful. We are blessed to have his writings at our fingertips!

I could just leave it at that – which was my initial intention. But then something struck me in the following verse: …so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth… (v. 10) I was wondering what Paul meant when he wrote “in heaven and on earth and under the earth”. Did he mean angels, living humans, and dead (buried) humans? Or did he mean saints and angels in heaven, humans alive on earth, and souls in hell? Two verses in Revelation 5:3, 13 use the same terminology. Here’s 5:3, And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. Looking online didn’t offer much guidance. But there is one item that is clear in that verse 10. The phrase, …at the name of Jesus… does not have a distinct time component. So wherever, whenever, Jesus’ name is mighty!

Slava Bohu!

Philippians 1:19-30

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (v. 21) I have quoted this verse so many times, especially in the context of our present COVID life! So many dead – but how many were “in Christ”? Undoubtedly, He knew them all and He called them home when it was their time. So while we are troubled by our current circumstances, we need to relax and know that God knows it all; He is allowing COVID to go on, until whenever. We just need to trust Him.

This verse also comes to mind from my time before I was born again in 1975. My friend, Jim, had been sharing with me for 3+ years, but I was resistant owing to my Catholic roots and what I saw as his Protestant message. But after some time of his sharing it was clear to me that Jim was absolutely happy in his new life in Christ. He knew where he would be spending eternity, but even if there were no God, Jim was thoroughly happy in his present life in Christ. That is, he couldn’t lose! God or no God, Jim was happy! For him, truly, to live was Christ and to die was gain! I know that this reality had some bearing on my eventual “conversion”. Glory!!

Slava Bohu!