This past Friday night at Bible study was really interesting. We are slowly reading through Philippeans to really dig deep into the meaning behind this book. As some of you may know, Philippeans is one of my favorite books of the Bible because of the message contained within the text (I'll post some favorite verses from there in another link). After examination, our leader (who is going to seminary in Phoenix) told us the 1:4-8 could be referring to a gift sent by that church and also mentioned in 4: 14-18. It was a totally different interpretation than any of us had ever seen before, but one which really needs to be considered.
Here is the text in question:
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
The reasons why this is a possibility are:
1. It would tie into one of the themes in the letter found in chapter 4.
2. It makes sense if you read those verses in context as a thank you for a monetary gift
3. If you write a missions thank you letter, your purpose is to make it personal. The Philippeans would know what Paul is referring to and thus he wouldn't need to come out and say "thanks for your money gifts" in helping to be a "partner in the gospel"-verse 5
4. Missionary letters usually refer to and give thanks for monetary support.
No matter which interpretation you take (traditional or the one mentioned above), the cool thing is the Holy Spirit can still work in your heart to understand and push you to grown in Christ through it. If you take it as a monetary letter to support missionaries, you perhaps will be lead to examine what you are doing to support and further the cause of missions.
If you feel pressed to support missionaries, I know of several who would love to be a partner with you. Please contact me if you would like to get in touch with them and/or learn more about their causes.
Enoch and Marilee S.-desire to be missionaries in France
Marie B.-desire to be a missionary in Spain
Troy G.-desire to reach kids in Scottsdale, AZ
Blessings in Christ!
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