Toward the end of this epistle to the Philippians – Paul says, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” “I have learned, in WHATSOEVER STATE I am, therewith to be CONTENT.” If the Lord gives us the time, we’ll deal with that last statement on a different occasion. But let’s use these words as an introduction to tonight’s very short message.
Paul says, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” In contrast to him, there are thousands of Christians who CANNOT say they are content with their lot in life. They think that the Lord isn’t treating them fairly, because they don’t have this or that. Or they have problems which they think they shouldn’t have. To those people, I simply say, “Look at Paul, and listen to what he has to say.” As he tells us in our text – he not only lacks much, he suffers much – and yet he is at PEACE.
Besides those complaining Christians, there are other saints who agree with Paul. They say, “I am content,” but it is not necessarily with the same heart as the apostle. These are folk who simply resign themselves to the sovereignty of God. “Okay, I know I’m never going to be rich, or I know this thorn is never going to leave my flesh. So I’m going to convince myself to be content, looking forward to day when I am glorified with Christ.”
Judging from the context of our text, Paul possessed more than the ordinary definition of “contentment.” He wasn’t just saying – “Oh, this is God’s will for my life, so I better learn to live with it.” With him it was more like – “I praise God for these trials AND these blessings. Thank you, Lord.” “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities – that power of Christ may rest upon me.” “Brethren over there in Philippi, thank you for your prayers. “And as it is your prayer, it is my hope and my earnest expectation to be released.” But if that doesn’t happen, “Christ is my life; and He is my salvation. I am His to do with as He sees fit.”
There is a sense in which Paul was already a free man, because his heart and spirit were free. But admittedly, he was looking forward to MORE freedom. And this comes out in his use of the Greek word “soteria” – “salvation.” This is the common and wonderful word which the Christian learns to love. It is in all those favorite verses of ours. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”
With this salvation in mind, I’d like to spend just a few minutes trying to encourage you to be content.
There are three kinds of people who interpret Paul’s use of the word “SALVATION” differently.
There are heretics who suggest that when Paul speaks of salvation, he is talking about his soul. There are people who say that Paul’s eternal salvation was hinged to the success of his ministry. They say that Paul rejoiced in those people who were preaching Christ, because what they were doing would help to secure his soul to the Lord. They were building on the foundation which Paul had laid. “I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” There are heretics who say that if enough people pray for Paul’s salvation, and if enough people pick up his mantle and carry on his work, he will make it to heaven. That is utter foolishness and hideous false doctrine.
Then there are scholars who say Paul is talking about lost people eventually enjoying the salvation which he enjoys. “Through the preaching of the gospel, my salvation will become the salvation of others – their salvation. But since I am confined to this house arrest, other people are calling for repentance and faith in Christ. Some are preaching out of evil and strife, but some are preaching out of love – whatever. When those new people put their faith in the Saviour, as I have done, they will enjoy my salvation.” That interpretation is certainly reasonable and Biblical, but I don’t think it is what Paul is saying here.
We probably shouldn’t apply “Occam’s razor” to the Word of God, but the principle is a good one. “When faced with a variety of competing hypotheses, the simplest explanation is often the best.” Sixty years ago when I first read this scripture, what my ear heard was that Paul expected to be delivered. At its root, the Greek word “soteria” speaks of “deliverance.” When applied to sin, it means “forgiveness.” When applied to the law, it means “deliverance from just punishment our sins deserve.” When applied to the soul, it means “freedom to approach and to worship the Saviour.” Obviously, Paul enjoyed these aspects of salvation. And some people argue that verse 21 suggests spiritual salvation – “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” But I think that verse is just a part of Paul’s contentment. I think here that Paul was expecting to be delivered – saved – from his chains and confinement.
I also think that this little paragraph is all about ROMANS 8:28.
In that great chapter, which begins with, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” In that chapter which later says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ…” That great chapter which says, “The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know now what we should prayed for as we ought…” Also says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Here in Philippians, from verse 12 down to verse 17, Paul describes his confinement, but h does so in contrast to the freedom of the gospel. And in the light of everything he was seeing and experiencing, he says, “I do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” “I know that this shall turn to my salvation – my deliverance.” “I know that you are praying for me, and I know that the Spirit of God will supply all that I need. It is my earnest expectation and my hope – that I shall never be ashamed.” And in regard to shame, in Romans 1:16 He says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” And it is this gospel which this is all about. No matter what happens to my freedom or my body, I know that Christ shall be magnified – “whether it be by life, or by death.”
Why could Paul feel such comfort in those circumstances? How was it he could be content in whatever state the Lord put him? Because he knew it was the Lord who put him in that state and into those circumstances. He had not sinned and these were the consequences of his transgressions. He had not made some bad choices which took him to Jerusalem where he was arrested and then taken to Rome in chains. He knew exactly what was going to befall him in the Jewish capital before he arrived. It had been prophesied, and he was led by the Spirit to that place.
Oh, what confidence, comfort and contentment there is in living a life surrendered fully to the Lord. When Paul awoke in the morning, his heart was quietly asking the Lord for direction for that day. When he drank his morning coffee, he was asking the Lord for energy to do God’s will that day. When he prayed for his friends off at a distance, one of the things he requested was that he might know how to be a blessing to them. Everything about his restricted life was still filled with a desire to glorify and serve his Saviour.
Ultimately, our text reminds us that Paul lived in submission to God. So when he was carried to Rome after his shipwreck on the island of Malta, he knew he was exactly where God wanted him to be. He knew by Roman law and Spirit leadership he was going to be able share the gospel with Nero, of all people. He was not only at peace with his predicament, he was excited to be able to use it. And as such, he was already – he always was – a free man in relation to the circumstances around him. Oh yes, he was a slave to Christ, but there was absolutely no burden to that whatsoever. “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith…” – verse 25.
When we know – in our hearts – when we know beyond intellectually – “That all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…” Then we can also say, with Paul, “For to be to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Going back to our subject for this evening, and Paul’s comment about “MY salvation…” There is a sense in which the salvation of his body was running parallel to the salvation of his soul. He was hoping and even expecting to be delivered from his chains. But he was already a delivered man, because “all things work together for good to them that love God…”