It is a mark of the wisdom and kindness of God that Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, often referred to as the “Epistle (letter) of Joy,” was written while he was in prison in Rome and unsure whether or when he would be released. As he wrote from his prison cell, often chained to a Roman guard, Paul remembered the church at Philippi with much fondness, though he was unable to see them in person. He remembered the struggles the Philippian church experienced at the hands of false teachers and leaders with questionable motives, though he was no longer present there to support them in their defense. And he both witnessed and bore witness to the progress of the gospel even in the face of his imprisonment in Rome.
Through all of this, the most he could do was to send and receive word through Timothy, his beloved junior partner in the gospel, and through Epaphroditus, who in the face of significant illness delivered the gift sent by the Philippian church for Paul’s needs. And yet it was in this very context of hardship and isolation that Paul wrote this most joyful of his epistles. In these days when we too are experiencing hardship and isolation in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, there is much to learn from Paul’s letter as we too seek God individually and corporately, as we strive to stay connected with God and with one another, and as we continue together to carry out his mission in the world.
We invite you to joy. We also invite you to welcome the Holy Spirit into your preparation. Here are a few ways you can use this study!
An Invitation to Joy: Download
Invite the Holy Spirit Into Your Preparation It only takes a few minutes to ask for help. The Holy Spirit […]
