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Philippians—An Office1

Introduction
It is the personal element in Philippians which gives it a context-it appears to be a first report from imprisonment in Rome (mentioned at the end of Acts of Apostles). The Philippians have sent a gift of money by Epaphroditus (2.25-30), even though suffering themselves. Paul is sending a letter back by Epaphroditus, thanking them for the money (4.14-19), and expressing his love for them generally-and thus both reporting himself and encouraging them. He hopes to send Timothy to them soon after Epaphroditus has returned (2.19-24).

It looks as if the Philippians got word Paul was on the way to Rome in the Autumn of 59 or 60 AD, when in fact, although he had started, he had been shipwrecked and was spending the winter on Malta (Acts 27-28). Epaphroditus set out with the money, fell ill on the way (and a report went back to Philippi), and then recovered and reached Rome about the same time as Paul.

Philippians is not only encouraging generally-it is almost entirely without rebuke, correction, or reproof from Paul (save only for the two arguing women, 4.2-4), which makes it unique in the Pauline letters.

The possibility of indigestion arises. The office should be taken in a measured, meditative, unhurried way, with time for reflection afterwards.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pause

In every prayer of mine for you I make my prayers with joy.
We are partners in the gospel from the first day until now.
He who has begun a good work in you
Will carry it to completion until the day of Christ.
It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more,
That we may approve what is excellent
and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruits of righteousness
which come through Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of God.

Reading: Philippians 1.12-18
Silence for reflection
For me to live is Christ,
and to die is gain.
I am hard pressed between the two.
my desire is to depart and be with Christ,
But to remain in the flesh is more necessary
for others' progress and joy in the faith.

Let us pray.

Almighty God,
as you have granted to us
that we should not only believe in Christ,
but also suffer for his sake,
may our manner of life be worthy of the gospel
that we may stand firm in one spirit,
with one mind striving for the faith of the gospel,
and without fear of any opponents.
We ask this that it may be a sign of our salvation
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Reading: Philippians 2.1-5
'The Song of Christ's Glory' (said antiphonally: left and right, by half verses):
Christ Jesus was in the form of God:
   but he did not cling to equality with God
He emptied himself taking the form of a servant:
   and was born in the likeness of men.
Being found in human form he humbled himself:
   and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him:
   and bestowed on him the name above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord:
   to the glory of God the Father.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
  as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
for God is at work in us, both to will and to work for his pleasure.
Do everything without complaining or arguing
being blameless and pure as children of God.
Hold out to others the word of life
so that it was not for nothing that others laboured to teach us.
I am glad and rejoice with you all.
We too are glad and rejoice with you.

Let us pray
   Prayers based on Philippians 3.1-11

Group Bible Study from Philippians 3.12-21. Groups of three or four have around five minutes to look at the passage, and then each in the group tells the others briefly which verse most strikes him or her and why.

Exhortation from Philippians 4:
Stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, 'Rejoice.' Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Finally, my brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Silence

I have learned, in whatever state I am,
therewith to be content.
I know how to be abased,
and I know how to abound.
I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want.
I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
My God will supply all your needs through his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Notes
1. Kindly contributed by Colin Buchanan. Back

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