Study of Philippians

Immanuel - Mankato Bible Class
Study of Philippians – Lesson 3
January 21, 2001
Philippians 1:9-11

Philippians 1:9-11 [NKJV]

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Literal Translation: "And this I am praying, that your love may grow more and more in knowledge (grounded in experience) and in all insight (gained by experience), so that you may approve the things that really matter, in order that you may be pure and blameless unto the day of Christ, being filled with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

Having expressed his thankfulness and great affection for the Philippians, Paul now turns to God in prayer on their behalf. He offers three petitions on their behalf—that their love might abound, that they might approve those things which really matter, and that they might remain blameless until the day of Jesus’ return. The three petitions are interrelated and build upon each other in a profoundly beautiful way.

First, Paul prays, "That your love may grow more and more in knowledge and in all insight." The "love" concerning which Paul speaks is that "agape" love to which the Bible so frequently refers. It is an active love of understanding and purpose. It sees a need and responds with the intent of meeting that need. It is the love of which Jesus spoke when He said, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). It is the type of love which flows from genuine faith, for it would never say to someone naked or destitute, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," (James 2:16) but then fail to give that person clothing or food.

Notice how Paul joins this strong and active concept of "love" with "knowledge" and "insight." Both words in the original language emphasize that the love for which Paul prays is a love that grows in connection with a learning and perception that is based upon experience. "Agape" love is not a theoretical love, but rather a very practical one. It is a love, which gives of self, and then grows, as it perceives and experiences the joy expressed by those who receive it! It is a love that grows and intensifies in its desire to read to children, as it hears the chuckles of those children listening to stories well read. It is a love that grows and intensifies in its desire to provide for the needs of hungry families, as it sees the eyes of thankful parents receiving those items which will bring needed nutrition to their children. It is a love that grows and intensifies in its desire to share the gospel and to pray with individuals near death, whose bodies relax and whose vital signs improve upon hearing again the news of God’s love for sinners in connection with Jesus Christ!

It is just such an experience-based love, which Paul prays will enable the Philippians, secondly, to "approve" those things which "really matter." There are many things in life, which ultimately do not matter. Does it really matter if my automobile is brand new or two years old? Does it really matter if I wear this year’s fashions or last year’s? Does it really matter if my hair is gray, black, or even green? Oh, yes, the world around us will say that these things definitely matter along with countless others, but what does Jesus say? He proclaimed in His "Sermon on the Mount": "After all these things the Gentiles seek…but (you) seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:32-33).

Experience-based love looks beyond the externals to see the more important things of the spirit. Experience-based love puts ideas and issues to the test and distinguishes between those things with temporal and those things with eternal significance. This does not mean that experience-based love fails to recognize, consider, or value those things pertaining to this world. Rather, it means that Paul prays that believers will be able to evaluate and prioritize in their lives, so that their ministries are accomplished to the distinct blessing of their fellow believers and the glory of their God.

That having been accomplished, Paul prays that the Philippians remain "pure and blameless" until Christ returns. How necessary are such prayers both then and now! We live in the midst of a corrupt world—a world, which the Scriptures testify will grow worse and worse (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:12-13; 2 Peter 2:1-3). We need to pray for others and for ourselves, lest Satan deceive and devour us! Yet, we need not fear the enemy, if we remember that our Savior is by our side, and we depend upon His power (cf. Matthew 28:18-20).

When these three petitions are fulfilled within our lives the result will be that our lives will be "filled with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." Paul told the Ephesians that "we are His (God’s) workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (2:10). Paul recognized and repeatedly expressed the principle revealed by Jesus, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). We are dependent upon Christ, but with Christ we are empowered and enabled so that what we do and say can be done and said to the glory and praise of God. This brings true meaning to our lives and real blessing into the lives of others. This enables us in a sublime way to join those already around God’s throne in heaven who cry out in worship, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things" (Revelation 4:11).