Month: August 2021

August 31, 2021

Live your life! (Phil. 1:27)

“Only,

Live your life

In a manner worthy

Of the gospel

Of Christ!

Thus,

Whether I come

And I see you

Or I am absent,

And I hear about you,

I know

That you are standing firm

In one spirit,

With one mind,

Striving side by side

For the faith of the gospel.”

Μόνον ἀξίως τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ πολιτεύεσθε, ἵνα εἴτε ἐλθὼν καὶ ἰδὼν ὑμᾶς εἴτε ἀπὼν ἀκούω τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν, ὅτι στήκετε ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι, μιᾷ ψυχῇ συναθλοῦντες τῇ πίστει τοῦ εὐαγγελίου,

Paul said, “Only (Μόνον), live your life (πολιτεύεσθε) in a manner worthy (ἀξίως) of the gospel of Christ (τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ)!  Thus, whether I come (ἵνα εἴτε ἐλθὼν) and I see you (καὶ ἰδὼν ὑμᾶς) or I am absent (εἴτε ἀπὼν), and I hear about you (ἀκούω τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν), I know that you are standing firm (ὅτι στήκετε) in one spirit (ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι), with one mind (μιᾷ ψυχῇ), striving side by side (συναθλοῦντες) for the faith of the gospel (τῇ πίστει τοῦ εὐαγγελίου,).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word ἀξίως, that means worthily, and the word ἀπὼν, that means to be away or absent.  Only this Philippian letter uniquely used this word συναθλοῦντες, that means to strive with, compete together with others, or cooperate vigorously.  Paul reminded the Christian Philippians that they should live their lives in a way that that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They should be good citizens.  Thus, it would not matter whether Paul came again to see them, or whether he would hear about them in his absence.  What counted was whether they were all working together.  He wanted to make sure that they were all standing together side by side in the unity of one spirit and one mind in defending the faith or belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He wanted a united Christian community church above all else.  Do you live in a united Christian community?

August 31, 2021

I may share with you (Phil. 1:26)

“Thus,

We may share abundantly

In your boasting

In Christ Jesus

With me,

When I come to you again.”

ἵνα τὸ καύχημα ὑμῶν περισσεύῃ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ διὰ τῆς ἐμῆς παρουσίας πάλιν πρὸς ὑμᾶς

Paul said, “Thus, we may share abundantly (περισσεύῃ) in your boasting (ἵνα τὸ καύχημα ὑμῶν) in Christ Jesus (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ) with me (ἐν ἐμοὶ) when I come to you again (διὰ τῆς ἐμῆς παρουσίας πάλιν πρὸς ὑμᾶς).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word καύχημα, that means a boast, boasting or a ground of boasting.  Paul intended to visit the people of Philippi again.  When he would come to visit them, they could share in their mutual boasting about Jesus Christ among them.  This would be a happy time when they would all sing the praises of Jesus Christ.  Do you wish to see other Christians to share your joyful faith?

August 31, 2021

I shall remain with you (Phil. 1:25)

“I am convinced of this.

I know

That I shall remain

And continue

With all of you,

For your progress

And your joy

In the faith.”

καὶ τοῦτο πεποιθὼς οἶδα, ὅτι μενῶ καὶ παραμενῶ πᾶσιν ὑμῖν εἰς τὴν ὑμῶν προκοπὴν καὶ χαρὰν τῆς πίστεως,

Paul said, “I am convinced of this (καὶ τοῦτο πεποιθὼς).  I know (οἶδα) that I shall remain (ὅτι μενῶ) and continue (καὶ παραμενῶ) with all of you (πᾶσιν ὑμῖν), for your progress (εἰς τὴν ὑμῶν προκοπὴν) and your joy (καὶ χαρὰν) in the faith (τῆς πίστεως).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word παραμενῶ, that means to remain besides, near, or persevere in.  Paul was convinced that he would not die but would instead remain with the Philippians and continue to monitor their progress and joy in their faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul thought that he would be spared any harsh treatment from the Romans.  Thus, he would be able to continue to work with the emerging Christian community at Philippi.  Do you prefer to continue to work here on earth?

August 31, 2021

What is best for you? (Phil. 1:24)

“However,

To remain

In my human flesh

Is more necessary

For your good.”

τὸ δὲ ἐπιμένειν τῇ σαρκὶ ἀναγκαιότερον δι’ ὑμᾶς.

Paul said, “However, to remain (τὸ δὲ ἐπιμένειν) in my human flesh (τῇ σαρκὶ) is more necessary (ἀναγκαιότερον) for your good (δι’ ὑμᾶς).”  Paul then explained that if he remained in his human body here on earth, that would be more helpful to the Philippians.  He might prefer the delights of eternal rest with Jesus Christ, but the work of helping people understand Jesus that he did here on earth was more important for the young fledgling Christian community at Philippi.  Do you see your work here on earth as important?

August 31, 2021

Be with Christ (Phil. 1:23)

“I am hard pressed

Between the two.

My desire is

To depart

And be with Christ.

That is far better.”

συνέχομαι δὲ ἐκ τῶν δύο, τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν ἔχων εἰς τὸ ἀναλῦσαι καὶ σὺν Χριστῷ εἶναι, πολλῷ γὰρ μᾶλλον κρεῖσσον·

Paul said, “I am hard pressed (συνέχομαι) between the two ways (δὲ ἐκ τῶν δύο).  My desire (τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν) is to depart (εἰς τὸ ἀναλῦσαι) and be with Christ (καὶ σὺν Χριστῷ εἶναι).  That is far better (πολλῷ γὰρ μᾶλλον κρεῖσσον).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word κρεῖσσον, that means better, stronger, or more excellent.  Paul was hard pressed about what he preferred.  If he was to depart from human life on earth, he would be with Jesus Christ in eternity.  That seemed like a far better choice, than struggling here on earth, since that was his ultimate goal anyhow.  Do you think that heaven will be a better place than earth?

August 30, 2021

Fruitful labor (Phil. 1:22)

“If I am to live

In the human flesh,

That means

Fruitful labor

For me.

I do not know

Which I prefer.”

εἰ δὲ τὸ ζῆν ἐν σαρκί, τοῦτό μοι καρπὸς ἔργου, καὶ τί αἱρήσομαι οὐ γνωρίζω.

Paul said, “If I am to live in the human flesh (εἰ δὲ τὸ ζῆν ἐν σαρκί), that means fruitful labor for me (τοῦτό μοι καρπὸς ἔργου).  I do not know which I prefer (καὶ τί αἱρήσομαι οὐ γνωρίζω).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word αἱρήσομαι, that means to choose or prefer.  Paul added, if he were to live in human flesh, he would be able to perform some useful labor.  Although he preferred to continue to work for Jesus, he did not know which he preferred, human life on earth with Christ or eternal life with Christ after his human death.  Paul was torn between his active human suffering life and eternal bliss with Christ.  Do you prefer a suffering human life or eternal happiness with Christ?

August 30, 2021

Life and death (Phil. 1:21)

“For me,

Living is Christ,

And dying is gain.”

Ἐμοὶ γὰρ τὸ ζῆν Χριστὸς καὶ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν κέρδος.

Paul said, “For me (Ἐμοὶ γὰρ), living is Christ (τὸ ζῆν Χριστὸς), and dying is gain (ἀποθανεῖν κέρδος).”  Paul explained that for him, living was with Jesus Christ.  If he died it would be a gain or a profit because he would be with Jesus Christ forever.  Paul lived for Christ and he would die for Christ.  What do you think about life and death?

August 30, 2021

Christ will be exalted (Phil. 1:20)

“It is my eager expectation

And hope

That I will not be

Put to shame

In any way,

But that with my always speaking

With all boldness,

Christ will be exalted now

In my body,

Whether by life

Or by death.”

κατὰ τὴν ἀποκαραδοκίαν καὶ ἐλπίδα μου ὅτι ἐν οὐδενὶ αἰσχυνθήσομαι, ἀλλ’ ἐν πάσῃ παρρησίᾳ ὡς πάντοτε καὶ νῦν μεγαλυνθήσεται Χριστὸς ἐν τῷ σώματί μου, εἴτε διὰ ζωῆς εἴτε διὰ θανάτου.

Paul said, “It is my eager expectation (κατὰ τὴν ἀποκαραδοκίαν) and hope (καὶ ἐλπίδα μου) that I will not be put to shame in any way (ὅτι ἐν οὐδενὶ αἰσχυνθήσομαι), but that with my always speaking with all boldness (ἀλλ’ ἐν πάσῃ παρρησίᾳ ὡς πάντοτε), Christ (Χριστὸς) will be exalted now (καὶ νῦν μεγαλυνθήσεται) in my body (ἐν τῷ σώματί μου), whether by my life (εἴτε διὰ ζωῆς) or by my death (εἴτε διὰ θανάτου).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word ἀποκαραδοκίαν, that means strained expectancy or eager expectation.  Paul was eagerly expecting and hoped that he would not be put to shame or embarrassed in any way.  He hoped that he would always speak boldly about Jesus Christ.  Thus, Jesus Christ would be praised and grow in and through his body.  It did not matter to Paul whether he lived or died, he wanted the message of Jesus Christ proclaimed.  Do you care about your life or death?

August 30, 2021

I will be saved (Phil. 1:19)

“I know

That through your prayers

And the help

Of the Spirit

Of Jesus Christ

This will turn out

For my deliverance.”

οἶδα γὰρ ὅτι τοῦτό μοι ἀποβήσεται εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ τῆς ὑμῶν δεήσεως καὶ ἐπιχορηγίας τοῦ Πνεύματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,

Paul said, “I know (οἶδα) that through your prayers (διὰ τῆς ὑμῶν δεήσεως) and the help (καὶ ἐπιχορηγίας) of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (τοῦ Πνεύματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) this will turn out (γὰρ ὅτι τοῦτό μοι ἀποβήσεται) for my deliverance (εἰς σωτηρίαν).”  Only the Pauline letters use this word ἐπιχορηγίας, that means supply, provision, equipment, or support.  Paul knew that the prayers of the Philippians, including the support of the Holy Spirit, that everything would turn out well for Paul.  He would be saved or delivered from his bad situation.  Do you hope to get out of bad situations?

August 30, 2021

Christ proclaimed (Phil. 1:18)

“What does it matter?

Just this,

That Christ is proclaimed

In every way,

Whether out of false motives

Or true motives.

I rejoice in that,

And I will continue

To rejoice in that.”

τί γάρ; πλὴν ὅτι παντὶ τρόπῳ, εἴτε προφάσει εἴτε ἀληθείᾳ, Χριστὸς καταγγέλλεται, καὶ ἐν τούτῳ χαίρω ἀλλὰ καὶ χαρήσομαι·

Paul said, “What does it matter (τί γάρ)?  Just this, that Christ is proclaimed (Χριστὸς καταγγέλλεται) in every way (ὅτι παντὶ τρόπῳ), whether out of false motives (εἴτε προφάσει) or true motives (εἴτε ἀληθείᾳ).  I rejoice in that (καὶ ἐν τούτῳ χαίρω), and I will continue to rejoice in that (ἀλλὰ καὶ χαρήσομαι).”  Paul asked a simple question.  What does it matter about the motives of those preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ?  As long as Jesus Christ is proclaimed, he did not care about their motives.  Apparently, some of the preachers were acting out of false motives or just pretending to be followers of Jesus, while others were very sincere.  In either case, Paul had rejoiced and would continue to rejoice that the word about Jesus Christ was getting out to everyone.  Jesus Christ, not the individual preachers, was the most important person.  Do you care about the motives of Christian preachers?