Reading for June 6th

 EXAMPLES OF THE GOSPEL'S RECONFIGURATION OF HONOR

In 2.1-4.7: Specific examples of Jesus (2.6-11), Timothy and Epaphroditus (2.19-3.1a) and Paul himself (3.1b-4.1a) expresses the frame of mind Paul commends before he exhorts the Philippians toward unity in the church (4.1b-7).

Read Philippians 2.1-11. In verses 1-4: The proper mind. The Philippians must seek true honor, not their own glory. In verse 1: If there is any encouragement in Christ ..., not an expression of doubt but a call for consideration. In verse 2: Make my joy complete, that is more joy than he already has despite difficult circumstances; an appeal based on the common benefits he and his audience share as believers. In verse 3: Self-centered ambition seeks to elevate one's own status (1.15, 17); conceit, "empty glorying," is an improper motive when the goal of life is the "glory" of God (1.11; see 4.20). In verses 6-11: A hymn on Jesus' unselfish disposition. It is unclear whether Paul composed this hymn himself or is quoting it. The example of Jesus is central to the message he brings the Philippians. Just as Jesus is described as a slave (v. 7), so are Paul and Timothy (1.1; 2.22). Just as Jesus submitted to the point of death (v. 8), so Epaphroditus moved "close to death" (2.30) for the sake of Christ. Voluntarily giving up privileges for the sake of others and to God's glory redefines conventional views of honor in which persons compete fiercely to gain more favor than their peers. Comments or Questions..

Reading for June 5th

 Read Philippians 1.27-30. In 1.27-30: Living worthy of the gospel. In verse 27: Live your life, literally "conduct life as a citizen" of heaven (3.20). Worthy of the gospel of Christ, that is, in a manner that does not seek one's own elevation above another (2.6-11). In verse 29: Paul suffers for the gospel to show that suffering is part of grace. In verses 27-30: A series of athletic or military images includes striving side by side (compare 4.3), struggle (the contest of defending the gospel to outsiders), and even standing firm. Comments or Questions..

Reading for June 4th

 Read Philippians 1.12-26. In 1.12-26: Suffering for the gospel. Spread (v. 12) and progress (v. 25) are the same words in Greek, unifying the two parts of the passage: Paul's joy is proclaiming Christ despite his imprisonment (1.12-18a); and his joy in the exaltation of Christ in his body whether he lives or dies (1.18b-26). Everything else--love, envy, life or death--is relative to this joy. Imprisonment (1.12-26) is an example of placing the needs of other above personal concerns. In verse 12: Spread or "progress," clearing (literally "cutting") a path for an army; see v. 25. In verse 13:Whole imperial guard: In Rome, "praetorium" is the emperor's elite soldiers: in Asia Minor, it is the provincial residence of any Roman administrator. In verse 16: Defense of the Gospel, the effort to convince outsiders of the gospel's values. In verse 20: Put to shame, made ashamed because of the paradox of good news about the shameful death of Jesus. Paul will not be ashamed because his circumstances exalt Christ. Comments or Questions..

Reading for June 3rd

 Read Philippians 1.3-11. In 1.3-11: Thanksgiving. Preview of the letter's themes. In verse 6: The work extends through life, emanating from God until consummation of the new age. The day of Jesus Christ (compare Amos 5.20; Zeph 1.15) refers to the return of Jesus (see Cor 1.8). In verse 7: Think (2.2, 5; 3.15,19; 4.2, 10), moral reasoning or correct disposition of the mind. Heart , one's inner life, not simply feelings. NRSV share is actually a noun, "partnership" between Paul and his audience. This is one of several compound words (1.17, 27; 2.2, 17-18, 25; 3.21; 4.3, 14) with a syn-prefix (meaning "with"), emphasizing unity. Confirmation, establishing the gospel in believers. In verse 8: Compassion, affection. In verse 9: Knowledge through experience of what really matters so that conduct brings glory and praise to God. In verse 11: Harvest of righteousness, apocalyptic imagery that places present-day problems in the setting of the end time. Comments or Questions..

Reading for June 2nd

 Read Philippians 1.1-2. In 1.1-2: Opening. In verse 1: Servants, literally "slaves" (douloi"), anticipates 2.7, "slave" ("douloi"), the form Jesus took in becoming a human being, and 2.22, Timothy "slaved" ("endouleusen") for the gospel. In verse 2: Bishops and deacons, leadership titles, either functions ("overseers" and "servers") or specific offices, like clergy today. Comments or Questions..

Reading for June 1st

 Read Isaiah 66.1-24. In 66.1-24: Final warnings and consolations for Jerusalem. In verses 1-5: The final chapter of the book of Isaiah sets out a fresh several basic themes that have appeared and reappeared throughout the book. Of primary importance is the demand for truth and sincerity in worship. The public performance of ritual and piety shows loyalty to God, but such outward actions must be matched by an inner spirit (see 1.12-17; 29.13). Verse 1 is not a rejection of the Temple, but rather defines its true purpose. In verses 6-11: In spite of the many conflicts and setbacks that have marred Jerusalem's history, the promises of God for the blessing of Israel as people remained valid. In verses 12-16: The message of reassurance and hope for the future of Jerusalem did not mean, however, that the wrongdoing would pass without judgment. In verse 17: Reference to the forbidden foods recalls the warning of 65.4. In verses 18-21: The return of all those who had been exiled from Judah and Israel would mark the fulfillment of God's promise for the people. In verses 22-23: The prophecies of Isaiah set a goal for all nations. All humankind (all flesh) were bound together in one world and would, therefore, ultimately share a single destiny. In verse 24: Divine judgment cannot be evaded. God's call is an imperious command, and the disobedient cannot participate in the final glory of God's kingdom. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for May 31st

 Read Isaiah 65.17-25. In verses 17-25: God is still in control of human history. The prophet was aware of the promises earlier in Isaiah; v. 25 recalls the promise in 11.6-9. Comments or Questions..