Following Paul in Greece Paul writes to the Philippians – Part 1 Week 5, 2/2/2014 Gene Wright, GeneLA@comcast.net Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Philippi was a Roman colony. VERY large percentage of citizens of Rome. Roman colonies were extensions of Rome. Not “outposts” but actual fragments of Rome. Pride in Roman citizenship Latin spoken Roman customs and dress worn Roman titles held by officials Would not become assimilated Would not dream of being unworthy of Rome Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Paul was in Philippi around 51 or 52 A.D. Letter written around 63 or 64 A.D. So, based upon what had happened to Paul in Philippi, what does he write back to them about? In part 1 today… Generosity and Citizenship Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece A generous group of Christians Philippians 4:16: “For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities” “Both once and twice” – They sent aid whenever Paul needed it. This is right after Paul left Philippi. Within days/weeks of his leaving and the Christians at Philippi had already sent money to him. There’s an implication here that Antioch, where Paul was from, was not helping out financially. Philippi (and later Thessalonica and Berea) were. Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece A generous group of Christians Philippians 4:16: “For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities” The church at Philippi began with Lydia offering her generosity and hospitality to Paul, Silas and the group. She begged them to stay in her house. It may well be that the church at Philippi was well off financially… And had had examples of how to share what they had. Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece A generous group of Christians Philippians 4:16: “For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities” Later, when Paul was in Corinth, the Christians at Philippi alone had sent him a gift (2 Cor. 11:9). In that verse, Paul is able to tell the Corinthians that he had not been a drain on them the entire time he was with them. In addition to Paul working on his own…Philippi had been helping out. Now we are 10-12 years later and Philippi has once again sent Paul a gift. (Phil 4:10,11) Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Philippians 1:27: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (KJV) Was Paul talking about how they spoke “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (NKJV) How they behaved? Really not the best translation. Not the same word Paul usually uses for manner of life: peripateo (to walk or live). That is not what Paul is talking about here. Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Philippians 1:27: “conversation” (KJV) “conduct” (NKJV)? Politeuesthe – Greek verb, first command in book. Our word “Politics” comes from this. “Only be sure as citizens to conduct yourselves so that your manner of life will be worthy of the Gospel of Christ…” (Amplified Bible) “The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (ISV) Strong’s concordance: “Live the life of a citizen” Citizenship. Earthly citizenship. Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Citizenship - Politeuesthe – Greek verb “…to be a citizen, to manage a state’s affairs, to live as a citizen. Only twice in N.T., here and Acts 23:1. The Authorized Version missed the figure completely by the word ‘conversation’ which did refer to conduct and not mere talk as now, but did not preserve the figure of citizenship. Better render, ‘Only do ye live as citizens.’ ” – A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the NT Acts 23:1: “Paul, looking intently at the council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life (as a citizen) with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.” Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Citizenship - Politeuesthe – Greek verb Same analysis in the Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, Volume 3 by Horst Balz “Only be sure as citizens to conduct yourselves so that your manner of life will be worthy of the Gospel of Christ…” “Conduct your community life” Our earthly citizenship Really? After what the authorities had done to Paul there? Yes, because of what Paul had been through! Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Citizenship – earthly but also … ? Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Old word from piliteu. The inscriptions use it either for citizenship or for commonwealth. Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship and found it a protection. The Philippians were also proud of their Roman citizenship. But Christians are citizens of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36). Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Citizenship Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” This world is not your home, so don’t get caught up in it! However, this can be taken too far, it seems to me. Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Citizenship Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Consider David Lipscomb. In the Restoration movement in the late 1800s / early 1900s, there was a big push toward pacifism and viewing ourselves as strangers in a strange land. This led to many teaching that Christian should not vote, hold political office and have nothing to do with the powers of this world. Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Citizenship - David Lipscomb. “All the wars and strifes between tribes, races, nations, from the beginning until now, have been the result of man's effort to govern himself and the world, rather than to submit to the government of God.” - David Lipscomb, On Civil Government p.14 “Every one who honors and serves the human government and relies upon it, for good, more than he does upon the Divine government, worships and serves the creature more than he does the Creator. - David Lipscomb, On Civil Government p.50 While there is certainly some truth to what Lipscomb taught, there are some issues here as well. Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014

Following Paul in Greece Citizenship Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Not consistent with Philippians 1:27 “Only be sure as citizens to conduct yourselves so that your manner of life will be worthy of the Gospel of Christ…” (Amplified Bible) “The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (ISV) We must be good citizens in the here and now. Help out our neighborhoods, our city, our state, our country. People should see Christians as the first ones to respond and help. But we cannot forget we are just passing through. We have dual citizenship. Look for ways to be a good citizen this week. Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014