Join Us

The epistle of Philippians, written by the apostle Paul, is  often referred to as the epistle of joy.  One of the key verses is: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (4: 4).  Reading the epistle, one might conclude that the writer had lived a problem-free life.  But did he?  Were his circumstances favourable when he wrote the epistle?

The Bible tells us that the apostle was “in bonds” (cf. Philp. 1: 13-14) - in a Roman prison awaiting trial for his appeal to Caesar.  He had lost his freedom.  His missionary work had been curtailed.  Languishing behind bars, did the apostle question God?  Did he murmur at the sufferings he had to endure for the Gospel’s sake?

As we all know, Paul’s ministry was marked by great hardships and difficulties.  Added to that, he had to contend with “a thorn in the flesh,” “lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations” (II Cor. 12: 7).  He went through persecutions of every kind: “Are they ministers of Christ?  (I speak as a fool)  I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;   In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” (II Cor. 11: 23-28).

Through it all, the apostle learned precious lessons from the school of adversity.  He did not murmur at the dealings of Providence nor repine when comforts were removed.  In spite of all his sufferings, God’s faithful servant could triumphantly declare:  “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philp.  4:  11-12). 

It is evident that Paul’s contentment was not a result of comfortable or favourable circumstances.  He did not say that he had been blessed by a sudden outpouring of deep spiritual experience, nor did he attribute the virtue of contentment to his own nature.  “The apostle Paul was a very learned man, but not the least among his manifold acquisitions in science was this - he had learned to be content” – C H Spurgeon.

The apostle to the Gentiles knew how to live with plenty, but he did not fret when faced with poverty.  He was content in his afflictions, because he had tasted the sufficiency of God’s grace in every trial (II Cor. 12: 9-10).  He had learnt to “count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philp. 3: 8). 

Matthew Henry aptly comments: “We have here an account of Paul’s learning, not that which he got at the feet of Gamaliel, but that which he got at the feet of Christ.   He had learnt to be content; and that was the lesson he had as much need to learn as most men, considering the hardships and sufferings with which he was exercised.  He was in bonds, and imprisonments, and necessities, often; but in all he had learnt to be content, that is, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it …”

“The Christian, therefore, may be, and should be, always a happy man.  If everything else changes, yet the Lord does not change; if the sources of all other joy are dried up, yet this is not; and there is not a moment of a Christian’s life in which he may not find joy in the character, law, and promises of God” – Albert Barnes’ commentary on Philp. 4: 4.

Brethren, let us pray for grace to accommodate ourselves to every condition of life, to accept with joy, the lot that God has ordained for us.  When afflicted, let us learn how to bear adversities with a spirit of contentment, and dependence upon the Lord.  We must never discount His providence nor doubt His care.  When in prosperity, let us know how to abound, how to be temperate (I Cor. 9: 25), humble (I Tim. 6: 18), and thankful to our God for His kind provisions.
 (… to be continued)

- Pastor