(Quite
some time ago, I paraphrased The Book of Philippians. I include it, here, since
nothing in my Christian life has allowed me to experience, and virtually know
Paul, like this effort. I’m especially hopeful that the following paraphrase
will enhance the spiritual lives of my descendants).
Chapter
One
Paul & Timothy, Servants of Christ. To all who name Christ
Jesus as Lord, who are at Philippi, with all the Bishops and Deacons.
May Grace be bestowed upon you, along with the peace only God Our
Father can provide because Christ cooperated in the finished work.
Every memory of you is blessed and my thanks is continually
overflowing before our Father.
Without fail, I always raise my voice to the Father on your
behalf, praying with great joy.
For your fellowship in this great gospel from that very first day
until now. I am confident of this very thing, that the One who has begun this
magnificent work in you will go right on doing it ‘til the day of our deliverance.
And it is only right for me to remember you with such rejoicing because you
reside in my heart. For you have remembered me whether I walked among you, or
whether I continued to reside in the darkness of the prison. For God bears me
witness that I have your welfare at heart and all my efforts are on your
behalf.
And I pray the more earnestly that your love may increase and that
your knowledge may abound to all judgment.
That you may strive for excellence and that you be without
offense, even ‘til Christ makes His appearance.
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are derived
from Christ, unto God’s ultimate praise and glory. For I would have you
understand, my brothers, that all my glories and all my sufferings have allowed
the gospel to be shed forth in a mortal life.
Therefore my chains in Christ are seen by the servants and those
who have served in Caesar’s palace, and in other places. And many of those who
once feared are emboldened by these chains, and speak without the slightest
compulsion or anxiety. Some, indeed, preach Christ out of envy and strife, but
some out of good will.
Some preach the gospel due to their jealousy of how God is using
me. Other exhibit motives which follow a more righteous plane. They preach out
of a heart overflowing with love for me. Again, some preach to make me jealous,
believing any success will add to my sorrow in this prison.
But I am glad since Christ is preached.
And whatever happens, I will go right on being glad for your
prayers, and I am convinced that good will come of this. And I live in eager
expectation, and hope that my behavior will always honor God, and that my words
will enhance Christ’ message, whether I live, or go on to be with Christ.
For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying, well,
that’s fine too.
If remaining here affords me better opportunities to win some of
my brethren, then it becomes a hard choice, whether to live or go on to my
reward. Sometimes I want to go on living, and at other times I’m content to
think of leaving this world behind. How much more content I would be.
But I’m sure staying will benefit you more.
And I’m convinced that I am needed here, and I’m certain that I
will remain to help you mature and find joy in your faith. Though I long to be
with Christ, my staying will give you cause to glorify Our Saviour when I next
see you face to face.
But in spite of what may happen to me, always live as befits a
Christian, that I might hear of your unity in standing up for the Gospel,
courageously and in spite of fear. To your enemies it will remind them of their
ultimate failure, but to you it will be an obvious indicator that God has
bestowed eternal life on you.
For you have been presented the inestimable privilege of both
trusting in Him and suffering for Him.
We fight this terrible battle together and suffer at every turn.
And I wrestle our great enemy even now, as you all so well know.
Chapter
Two
If there is anything like Christian encouragement, if we share the
same Spirit, if there is any sympathy flowing through your being.
Make me happy by cooperating with each other out of a heart of
love, united in heart, mind and purpose.
Don’t live to impress others, but consider others better than
yourselves. Consider your own affairs secondary to what seems important to
others. Your attitude should reflect that of your Master, Jesus Christ, Who
though being truly God, did not cling to His prerogatives as God, but cast
aside His omnipotent power and glory, and assumed the guise of a servant,
becoming like men.
And He chose a pathway that ended at the cross, to die a death fit
only for a criminal. And because of His obedience, God raised Him to a place of
honor and bestowed on Him a Name above all others.
That at the mere expression of His lovely Name every knee shall
bow down, both in heaven and on the earth, and every single tongue shall
confess the Lordship of Christ, to God be all the glory.
My dearly beloved friends, you were always very careful to follow
my guidance, and now that I am no longer with you, you should be even more
careful to bring forth good works, obeying the merciful Creator with awesome
respect, fearing lest you offend Him in the slightest.
For He continues to work in you, inspiring you to desire to obey
Him, and cooperating with you in that effort. Flee the tendency to complain and
to argue, so that not one word of blame may be laid at your doorstep. You
should live pure and innocent lives as sons of God in a corrupt world full of
stubborn and perverse people.
Let your lights shine out among them, holding out to them the Word
of Life. So that when Christ returns, my joy will know no limits, and the great
worth of my work will be affirmed.
And if my lifeblood must be shed and mixed with your faith, I am
willing to make that ultimate sacrifice. If I lay down my life for you, my
efforts will surely be confirmed.
You should rejoice with me, even if the ultimate outcome awaits me
here.
If the Lord wills it, I will shortly send Timothy to visit you.
And when He returns he can cheer me with your greetings and regards. Only
Timothy has stood close to me during this dark night of my soul. He will come
shortly and perhaps I may follow him at some point.
Meanwhile, I believe I will send Epaphroditus back to you. We have
been brothers, working side by side. Now I will send him back to you, as he has
been homesick and almost died. But God shed forth mercy on him, and I know how
thankful you will be to see him. Welcome him and show your appreciation; for he
risked his life to the very point of death.
Chapter
Three
Whatever happens, my dear ones, rejoice in the Lord. I am never
weary telling you this, and so I say it again, and again. Beware those who call
you to observe tradition and peg your salvation on such things. For it isn’t
outward symbolism that makes us children of God, but worshipping Him with our
spirits.
The True Gospel, the only one we ought glory in, rests on the
finished work of Christ, alone.
If anyone ever had reason to think his own works could save him,
it would be I. I was circumcised at eight days of age, born of the stock of
Benjamin. Thus I was a real Jew if ever one existed. Beyond this, I was a
member of the Pharisees who require the most austere obedience to every Jewish
law and tradition.
But more, I was sincere to a fault for I persecuted the church and
have obeyed the last jot and tittle of the law.
But all that once seemed so valuable now seems next to worthless,
and I cast my lot with Christ, alone.
For I have laid aside what this world considers precious, that I
may possess Christ. For my salvation will never be sealed by my own
righteousness, or by the deeds of the law, but by trusting Christ to save me.
It is by Christ, alone, that we are given an entrée into the eternal kingdom.
And though it may seem paradoxical, the only way we can experience
His power and blessings is to suffer and die with Him.
I do not imply that I have arrived. I am still learning, changing
and maturing. But I consider the day when I finally reach the prize, the goal,
the finish line.
No, my brethren, I am not all that I should be, nor what I will
be, but I bring all my energies to bear on this one thing. I forget the past,
and gaze with jealous eyes towards the future Christ has for me. I strain to
reach the finish line, and receive the reward bestowed on those who are called
“Faithful.”
I pray my words ring true with you, and if not, my God make the
Truth clear to you.
I invite you to pattern your life after mine, and notice others
who live to this standard. For there are many along the way who are really
enemies of The Cross. They have no future beyond this life, for their god is
their appetite. They are proud of what is, rather, shameful.
But our eternal home is where Christ is, and we expectantly look
for His return. When He returns, He will transform our own frail bodies, and
energize them to resemble His own, with the same power He will use to conquer
death, and Satan’s evil principalities.
Chapter
Four
My brethren, I long to see you, for you are my reward, my
trophies, for the efforts I’ve expended here. My beloved friends, remain true
to Our Lord. Let me plead with Euodias and Syntyche, please set aside your
differences and quarrel no more. And my friends, please help these women, for
they assisted me in sharing this great Gospel. And they worked with Clement and
many others who are written in The Book of Life.
Rejoice in the Lord at all times. Let your selflessness and
consideration be evident where ever you go. Do not forget that Christ is coming
soon. Don’t be anxious for the future, but speak to God daily, both asking Him
for assistance, and thanking Him for the answers to your needs.
If you follow this advice you will know God’s peace which is
infinitely more wonderful than we could ever comprehend. And His power will
abide in your mind and spirit as you depend on Him.
Fix your thoughts on what is good, and pure, and righteous.
Constantly, consider the praises you owe the Creator. Remember all
those things you have heard me teach, and model to you, and God will shed His
peace on you.
How grateful I am and how thankful that you are assisting me again
in the defense of the Gospel. I realize you have always been anxious to help me
monetarily, but it is just now that you have the opportunity.
Not that I am in need, because I have learned to manage with much,
or only a little.
I am content whether full or hungry. I do everything that Christ
requires through His overwhelming power at work in me. Nevertheless, I thank
you for helping me in my present circumstance. As you remember, only you
Philippians assisted me in my journey through Macedonia. No one else aided my
efforts. Even while in Thessalonica, you helped me twice. And while your help
didn’t go unnoticed, what blesses my heart is the reward that Christ is
preparing for you in heaven.
At this present moment, I am overflowing with provisions, those
gifts you sent by Epathroditus. These provisions are a sweet sacrifice in God’s
sight. May God continue to fulfill and supply all your needs and pour out
blessings out of His abundance.
Now unto God be glory, now and forever, Amen.
I send my greetings to all the brethren there. The brothers here
also greet you. The Christians in Caesar’s palace send you their love.
The grace and blessings of our Saviour be with your spirit.
Paraphrase by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright 2005
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