Philippians Study 2022, 1:1-11

[Sudsy]

From v. 7:

The reference to grace repeats the theme of the greeting in v. 2. This time it is not a desire that they receive grace, but a recognition that they already have. Paul and his readers are bound together by a common grace. Their experiences are different (the Philippians are not in prison like Paul is), but God's grace transcends that and allows them to experience fellowship.

I find it interesting how the version of this text in the OP and only one other version I have found use the word 'joy' instead of 'grace'. It would seem in these the experience is not about fellowship as it is joy. They are experiencing a common joy. Any thoughts on this and why 'joy' may have been chosen here ?

Did you notice that this Catholic version also reads "fruit of justice" instead of "fruit of righteousness" in v. 11?

No, I missed that. That, too, is interesting. Perhaps this is explained somewhere why the change in these two words.

[silentreader]

I find it interesting how the version of this text in the OP and only one other version I have found use the word 'joy' instead of 'grace'. It would seem in these the experience is not about fellowship as it is joy. They are experiencing a common joy. Any thoughts on this and why 'joy' may have been chosen here ?

Did you notice that this Catholic version also reads "fruit of justice" instead of "fruit of righteousness" in v. 11?

No, I missed that. That, too, is interesting. Perhaps this is explained somewhere why the change in these two words.

Justice is actually not a bad translation for the text. IMO righteousness works better in the context. I think righteousness is used in most(?) versions.

[Sudsy]

OK setting aside any discussion on eternal security

I'll get to that, just not until sometime after July 7 .

I'm looking forward to your thoughts on verse 6. Personally, with more study, I don't think it is referring to salvation or progressive sanctification although I have often heard it used these ways.

[Sudsy]

Spent more time looking into verse 6 as I always had some question whenever I read it when Paul says that he is confident that when we become believers / are born again that God will guarantee that He will work in us to fully make us sanctified/holy before we die or Christ returns. As if we lose our free will when we are saved to never turn our back on God. I have especially heard this verse referred to by those who preach eternal security.

For those interested in another way of regarding what this verse is referring to, check out these links part 1 and part 2 called 'Does Philippians 1:6 Guarantee Progressive Sanctification ?' I don't ever recall this alternative to what Paul was referring to here.

https://bible.org/article/does-philippi ... ion-part-1

https://bible.org/article/does-philippi ... ion-part-2

Would love to read what you make of these interpretations.

[silentreader]

Philippians 1:9-11
English Standard Version
9 And it is my prayer that your love (agape) may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11
Christian Standard Bible
9 And I pray this: that your love (agape) will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

In both cases I interjected (agape) into the quote.

We hear the idea sometimes that it is not loving to speak truth to sin. I suggest this passage shows that in spiritual growth leading to God's approval, love is the foundation on which these other things are built, but these other things are necessary to make love complete.