Friday 10 October 2014

Background

As Paul moves towards the end of this letter he presents hisreaders with a series of challenges as he sought to encourage theChristians in Philippi to demonstrate the reality of theirdiscipleship. In the first two verses of today's reading, thechallenge is to be people of rejoicing and gentleness.

The NRSV footnote indicates that the word translated "rejoice"could also mean "farewell" but the context of the letter (eg Philippians 3:1) indicates that "rejoice" isthe preferred translation. The fact that both joy and gentlenessare included by Paul in his list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 is further evidence for thistranslation.

However, being confident about the preferred translation doesnot make the challenge an easy one. Is it possible to "Rejoice inthe Lord always"? Before we dismiss Paul's words as unrealistic, weneed to note that he wrote while he was in prison awaiting theoutcome of his trial. This does not mean that we are immune to thesufferings of others or the difficulties of our own lives. In 2Corinthians 6:10 Paul interestingly refers to the experience ofbeing "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing".

In terms of gentleness, Paul encourages his readers todemonstrate this fruit of the Spirit to everyone; that is to thoseoutside the Christian community as well as those within it. As with"rejoicing always", this is not an easy task, but the word used tochallenge his readers is one that Paul uses to describe the onethey seek to follow ("I ... appeal to you by the meekness andgentleness of Christ" (2Corinthians 10:1)), so the challenge is offered to thedisciples to follow the example of their Lord.

The concluding phrase of the selected verses can be understoodin two ways. In one sense, Paul assures the Philippians that theLord is near and with them in their current troubles anddifficulties. In another sense, the phrase points to the beliefthat the time of the second coming of Jesus was approaching. Bothmeanings offer the Philippians a word of encouragement.

To Ponder

• What difficult situations are you facing today? How might you"let your gentleness be known to everyone" in thesesituations?

• In the midst of a broken and suffering world what does it meanto "rejoice in the Lord always"?