Monday 5 August 2024

Psalm 33:1-12

Background
'Imitating Christ’ is the theme for this week’s A Word in Time readings, most of which come to us from the epistle to the Philippians. This short letter was written by Paul to a Christian church in the city of Philippi, in the province of Macedonia, probably in the late 50s/early 60s of the 1st century AD. The church had been founded by Paul himself in the early 50s (see Acts 16:11 onwards). At the time of writing, Paul is in prison, probably in Rome, and has just received a monetary gift from the Philippians, brought by Epaphroditus.

Paul’s opening is similar to that in many other epistles – but we may want to notice the differences:

• Timothy‘s name is included, indicating perhaps the important part Timothy played in the evangelisation of Macedonia, his support for the imprisoned Paul (2:19-22) and his probable connection with the Philippian church (Acts 16:1-5).
• Also unusual is Paul’s description of himself not as apostle but as a slave or servant. Perhaps this deliberately introduces the theme of humility which will run through the letter.
• Unusually Paul specifies two groups of leaders in the church: overseers and deacons. He may be thinking of specific individuals known to  him who went by those titles, or perhaps these were the groups responsible for raising the gift which he goes on to mention.

After his greetings, Paul offers enthusiastic thanksgiving for the Philippian church, during which he repeats in various ways his commitment to praying for them (vs 3, 4, 9). There is a clear note of affection for the church, and of joy, despite his imprisoned state. His thankfulness stems primarily not from his own well-being but from how the gospel is bearing fruit in the church.

Finally we may like to note the good work which has begun in the Philippians is to be "brought to completion by the day of Jesus Christ" (v 6). It is hoped there will be moral perfection when Christ returns. This sense of the early Christians as a ‘work in progress’ is repeated in the prayer with which this passage closes (vs 9-11). The object of the prayer is the total sanctification of the Philippians – what they have in part must be brought to full fruition.

To Ponder:

• What words might you use to describe yourself if you were writing a letter to a church with which you were formerly involved? What might your choice say about you?
• Where does your experience of joy come from? From your own circumstances, or from the wider work of God?
• How helpful do you find it to regard yourself as a ‘work in progress’?

Prayer
Today we offer Paul’s prayer for people in our lives: "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now." 

Bible notes author: Jill Baker
Jill is glad to be part of the small Methodist Church in Scotland. She is a local preacher and tutor in the Strathclyde Circuit, and lives in Glasgow.