Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Tuesday, July 23, 2103 Read – Philippians 1 If Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a fiery letter filled with anger his letter to the Philippians is a tender letter filled with love. The church in Philippi and in all of Macedonia was very supportive of Paul in his ministry as Paul states in his letters to the Corinthian church. In many ways this church was the most supportive of all. It may seem a bit surprising that Paul never mentions either Lydia or the jailer in his letter to the Philippians. We should not read anything into that since to do so would be pure speculation. The main issue that Paul address is this first chapter is an imprisonment he is enduring. Of course this was not the first or last time Paul would find himself in prison – if Luke is correct, and we have reason to doubt him, Paul spent time in the Philippians jail though it likely was only over one night. Readers of Paul’s letter to the Philippians have wondered where Paul is in prison now. The first impression of most readers is that he is in Rome and traditionally the church has agreed with that. That could be true, but there are other possibilities. Most scholars today think that Paul was in prison in Ephesus when he wrote this letter – a prison from which he was later set free. While a case might be made for Paul being in Rome an equally good case can be made for him being in Ephesus. It really doesn’t matter one way or the other. Paul’s response to his hardship and imprisonment is what is most important about this story. Paul would write to the Romans that God works all things for good with those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). That is the way he views his present hardship. In fact he bears witness that God has worked good through what has happened to him – even his jailers have heard the gospel and other believers are strengthened because of him. Likely one of Paul’s reasons for writing to the Philippians was to assure them that he was okay – give the possibility that they had heard of his imprisonment. In many of his letters Paul is dealing with problems – not in Philippi – his message is one of full encouragement. And it is encouraging for us to read it too.