Welcome to the next part of our series, "Piece of Work."
Here is today's text:

(Philippians 2:12-18) (Philippians 2:12-18) Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

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The Bible Breakdown: Philippians 02.

Overall Commentary: 🌎

The book of Philippians is a joyful letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi, written while he was in prison. It encourages believers to live with humility, unity, and joy in Christ, regardless of circumstances. Paul highlights Jesus as the ultimate example of selfless service and reminds readers that true contentment comes from knowing Him.

There are so many things to enjoy about this book. Here are a few to give context:

The people of Philippi were very loyal to the Roman Empire. Most of the inhabitants were retired military. This is why Paul mentions the courts of Caesar and the military guard.
Paul teaches about joy, contentment, and God doing a work in their lives while sitting in jail.
Philippi was the first church Paul planted in Europe.
The city was named after Alexander the Great's father.
The city's ruins are still available today.

Today's Commentary.

Verse 12-13: Growing with a sense of Joy.

Verse 12.

"Therefore"- While it is not in the New Living Translation for interpretative reasons, the Greek language has the equivalent of "Therefore" as the beginning of this verse. The point is to pivot from the hym quoted by Paul to his next statement. In effect, he is saying, "Because of Jesus, let's grow."
"Work hard"- The point of what Paul is saying is not that we earn our salvation. He is saying we work hard to develop the results of our salvation. While in prison, he also writes a letter to a church in Ephesus. In that letter, he reminds us that salvation is a gift that cannot be earned. (Ephesians 2:8-9) The Greek word used here is meant to infer the mining of a silver mine. The goal is to work to produce the results of the gift given.
"Show the results of your salvation"- This goes with the previous phrase, "work hard." The idea is that salvation is a gift that can be cultivated into a continual process of freedom.
"Obeying God"- The goal is to obey God's Word. His Word leads to freedom.
"Deep reverence and fear"- Paul is not saying we should be terrified. This is more of a sense of awe and wonder. Just like going into the throneroom of a prestigious king. There would be a sense of respect and wonder.

Verse 13.

"God is working in you"- Paul reminds the church that they are not supposed to produce good works by themselves. God calls them to grow up, then gives them the means to do so. All that happens in us is still part of His goodness. There is no room to boast, only worship.
"Desire and power to do what pleases Him"- The purpose of growing up is to please God. God does not empower us to do things that bring shame to His Name.

Verse 14-15a. Growing in our attitudes and actions.

Verse 14.

"Do everything"- God's Word encompasses all of life, not just church life.
"complaining"- the word here literally means to grumble or mutter under your breath. It is the idea of doing something, but with a sour attitude. Paul knows we need to be changed from the inside out.
"arguing"- This is when a sour attitude spills over onto others.

Verse 15-18. Growing in relentless faithfulness.

Verse 15.

"Live clean, innocent lives"- This is not intended to say Christians are perfect. It is intended to convey that Christians are growing and maturing in God's ways. This will make their lives look different from those around them.
"shining like bright lights"- The result becomes the idea of shining in the darkness for all to see the glory of God. Because we have already seen that this is called by God and empowered by God, all glory goes to God.

Verse 16.

"Hold firmly to the word of life"- The word that gives us "hold firmly" has a two-fold meaning.
- Hold fast- This is the mental image of planting a torch in the ground to lay claim to an area. It is saying, "I am not going anywhere."
- Hold forth- This is the mental image of shining a flashlight as a calling signal. The idea is to call others to the light.
"Proud"- Paul is not speaking of sinful pride. He is speaking of a proud spiritual father who is joyful at the sight of his spiritual children developing.

Verse 17.

"Liquid offering to God"- In the Old Testament, a liquid offering would go over a sacrifice. The liquid would evaporate and turn into smoke. The smoke would go straight as a signal of going to God. The idea is that Paul's life is a continual act of worship to God.
"Faithful service is an offering to God"- Paul says our faithfulness can be seen as a continual act of worship go God.

Verse 18.

"share"- Our joy should multiply as we see others grow.

God's Promise:

(James 1:2-4) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So LET IT GROW.