The church at Philippi was a church founded by Paul on his second missionary journey and it was the first church he established in Europe. Philippi was a small town but notable as several prominent battles were fought there. Paul always maintained a close relationship with this church. They had even financially supported his journeys a couple times. The church had some problems including issues rooted in rivalries among it's members and some who had strong personal ambitions.
The topic of this letter is a call to be humble and practice emptying one's self and the importance of prayer.
Paul begins by describing that he is writing to the saints in Christ, or the holy people who belong to Christ, the elders and deacons in Philippi. He greets them offering the grace of the Father and Christ.
Paul expresses his thanks for them and mentions that he prays for them. His thanks for them stems from their long association and their helping him with his ministry in financial ways. He encourages them by saying that God began this good work in them and He would faithfully keep at it until their journey is completed.
Even while in prison, they are in his heart and together they share the grace of God. He misses them and can't wait to be with them again. He prays that they may love one another even more as they grow in knowledge and understanding. This growing knowledge and understanding will help them to realize those things that are excellent so they will be blameless of doing wrong and be sincere in their walk until the day of Christ's return. Such a life is possible through Jesus. Such a life is lived so that God may be praised and glorified.
Paul writes about how his imprisonment has caused much talk about the Gospel. In fact, as bad as it is to be in prison, good things have come of it. He has been used to help Christ become well known throughout those that guard him. People were talking about how he was true to his own teachings even though he was in chains. His situation even encouraged brothers in Christ to trust the Lord more deeply and to speak of Christ more openly without fear.
Some are preaching Christ from good will and out of love, while there were some that did so more from envy and with selfish ambition. Those who preach in envy are not preaching with pure motives, but rather hope to pile more hardship on Paul because the preaching of Christ is what got him in trouble to begin with. Paul was glad that the name of Christ was being taught. Regardless of motives, people were hearing and learning of the Lord. Even if things got harder for him, he rejoiced at the spreading of the truth of Christ.
Paul's faith held that he believed no harm would come to him and that he would be released. He appreciated and knew their prayers helped in his circumstances. In all things, he hoped that his life, his body and his situation would prove to lift Christ up among all the peoples.
Paul knew of the rewards and eternal life that waited for him. Because of this promise, he was ready to die and be joined with the Lord and the faithful that went before him. To die would be great for him. However, if he was to remain on earth, he would be here to bring the good news to more people thus leading them to salvation. If he was to keep on working to that end, he would have to give up his desire to escape earth and continue to work in rescuing the lost. Knowing what needed to be, Paul knew he would be remaining with them so they would become more confident in Christ.
He encourages them to live lives that reflect his teachings and a life that is firm in Christ. To live this way would glorify Christ and help in spreading the truth to all people and places whether he is with them or not. He instructs them to stand firm in their faith in the Gospel and to be of one mind. He knows if they live in this way, he will surely hear of the good things they do.
For Christ's sake they were all in this battle together. They all suffered and had lives that were difficult. Things may be hard but it was good to endure the battle against those who opposed the Gospel.
We may take courage from chapter one that even though we may find times hard and may even be mocked because of our faith, we must press on. The work we do is worth more than any suffering we may experience out of our love for Christ. We need to stand together with our brothers and sisters and not grow faint or give up. There is much we need to do regardless of our circumstances.