The Elements of Joy
1: 3-8
The elements of joy DIG: How does Paul feel about the church in Philippi? What does that show about his leadership style? How long had it been since Paul had ministered in Philippi? What had Paul remembered about them? Who is the object of intercessory prayer? How had the Philippians participated in Paul’s ministry? What are the eight aspects of fellowship? What are the ten ways believers lose their joy?
REFLECT: Who do you have a fond recollection of in the Lord? Did they lead you to Messiah? Did they disciple you? Who are your prayer partners? Who do you pray for on a daily basis? What is your spiritual gift? How are you using it? What are you confident about in the Lord? What other believers do you share unity? How is the unity expressed? How much joy do you think the Lord feels towards your church?
Since we can do no works to gain our salvation, we can do no works to lose our salvation.
Paul’s circumstances at the time he wrote his letter to the believers at Philippi were dire. He was imprisoned in Rome, possibly facing execution. As it turned out, he was released from this imprisonment, but he was not certain that would be the case when he wrote Philippians. He was under house arrest (Acts 28:23 and 30), chained to a Roman soldier (Acts 28:16) to prevent any possibility of escape. The apostle languished there, unable to do the ministry he loved, while others, taking advantage of his situation, were proclaiming Messiah out of jealousy and rivalry (to see link click Ap – Paul’s Critics). However, his heart overflowed with joy (1:18). If anything, those horrendous circumstances made Paul’s joy all the greater, because he trusted the sovereign purpose of his Lord and turned to him even more to Him for strength and comfort.
True joy is an unwavering constant in a Spirit-filled life (Romans 14:17), not a transient emotional feeling that comes and goes depending on circumstances. Because Paul was constantly near to God, he was constantly joyful. He experienced an inexpressible peace (4:7) and contentment (4:11) provided by the Ruach Ha’Kodesh deep within his heart and soul because he had a conscience that was clear of offense against ADONAI (Acts 23:1, 24:16; Second Corinthians 1:12; Second Timothy 1:3).15
The joy of recollection (1:3): I thank my God every time I think of you (1:3 CJB). It must have brought great joy to the Philippians’ hearts as they read how the apostle often thanked God for them. Here was a letter of commendation from one who was in Roman chains some 800 miles away. About ten years had passed since Paul had first ministered among them. Every time Paul thought of them, he thanked ADONAI for them.16 The phrase my God reflected Paul’s deep intimacy and communion with the Lord, to whom he belonged and served (Acts 27:23). His thankfulness for the Philippians was to God, emphasizing both that the Lord is the ultimate source of all joy and that it was the Philippians’ relationship to Him through Messiah that caused Paul to thank God.
Paul’s recollection of the Philippians began with his Second Missionary Journey when the apostle came to Philippi (see Acts Bu – Paul’s Second Missionary Journey). He was specifically directed by the Ruach Ha’Kodesh to go to Macedonia rather than Bithynia, as he and Silas had planned (Acts 16:7-10). On Shabbat they went outside the city to the riverside, where they expected to find Jewish worshipers. The only ones present were a group of women in prayer. One of them, Lydia, was a “God-fearer,” that is, a Gentile proselyte to Judaism (see Acts Bb – An Ethiopian Asks about Isaiah 53: God-fearers). She accepted Yeshua as her Messiah, was baptized that day along with her newly believing household, and became the nucleus of the Philippian church. She then prevailed on Paul and those with him to be her guests at her home (Acts 16:13-15). The generosity and hospitality that she exhibited, characterized that congregation for years to come.
The joy of intercession (1:4): Another indispensable element of joy for believers is interceding before ADONAI on behalf of others. Those who are obedient to the Ruach Ha’Kodesh will delight in the privilege of intercessory prayer. Faithful and sincere intercession is much more than an obligation; it is a joy. Whenever I pray for you I always pray with joy (1:4 CJB). Faithful intercessors are more preoccupied with the needs and welfare of others than their own and ask ADONAI to pour out His divine blessing on them. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also the interests of others (2:4). Intercessory prayer sometimes involves disappointment and pain. Nevertheless, Paul’s prayers for the Philippians were offered with great appreciation and joy. Neither the unbelieving false teachers, nor the squabbling of believers such as Euodia and Syntyche (4:2), could rob Paul of his joyful remembrance of that cherished congregation.17
The joy of participation (1:5): The Philippians had supported Paul with their prayers and finances (Phil 4:14-19; 2 Cor 8:1-5; Rom 15:26) while he went about his missionary ministry. In view of your participation (Greek: koinonia, meaning fellowship) the Gospel from the very first day until now (1:5 Greek). In the broadest sense, the apostle rejoiced that the Philippians were saved and thus partnered with him in spreading the Gospel. That participation included their generous financial support (4:15-16). The joint ministry of the Gospel had gone on from the first day when Lydia had opened her home to the preaching of the Word (Acts 16:15), until now, the moment when Paul was writing this letter, he was grateful for their help.18
In his commentary on Philippians, William Hendriksen lists eight elements, or types, of koinonia. First and foremost is the fellowship of grace. This is not a natural, man-made fellowship, but one sovereignly designed and achieved by YHVH through the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 4:5).
Second is the fellowship of faith. On the human level, it is faith alone that brings sinners to salvation. Paul and Silas told the jailer in Philippi: Trust in the Lord Yeshua, and you will be saved – you and your household (Acts 16:31 cf. Romans 10:9-10). Yet, as noted above, even human faith has a divine origin. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).
Third is the fellowship of prayer and thanksgiving. Nothing binds believers together more closely than worshiping ADONAI in corporate praise and thanksgiving. Believers are always [to be] giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Yeshua Messiah to God, even the Father (Ephesians 5:20); and they are to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for them in Messiah Yeshua (First Thessalonians 5:15-18).
Fourth is the fellowship of love, the supreme virtue that encompasses all other virtues (see the commentary on First Corinthians Cu – The Necessity of Love). Paul went on to say that love is patient, love is kind and does not envy, love does not brag and is not proud, is not rude or selfish, it is not selfish or easily angered, does not keep a record of wrongs, rejoices in the truth, love covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things . . . the greatest of these is love (First Corinthians 13:4-8 and 13).
Fifth is the fellowship of contributing to the needs of others. While we have the opportunity, Paul warned, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith (Galatians 6:10). Even under the Dispensation of Torah (see the commentary on Exodus Da – The Dispensation of the Torah), believers were commanded: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it (Deuteronomy 3:27).
Sixth is the fellowship of sharing the Gospel. That is done through preaching, teaching, witnessing, and supporting those whom the Lord has specifically called to those ministries. This fellowship is clearly the fulfillment of Messiah’s Great Commissions. The first Great Commission was in Genesis 12:3: I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you, and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed; and the restatement of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20: Make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Ruach Ha’Kodesh, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Seventh is the fellowship of separation from the world. In His Upper Room discourse shortly before His arrest, Yeshua told the remaining eleven apostles: You are not of this world, but I chose you out of the world (John 15:19). A negative, but extremely important part of fellowship to keep oneself from being contaminated by the world (James 1:27). John encouraged believers: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father, but from the world (First John 2:15-16).19
Eight is the fellowship of spiritual gifts. Every believer receives a spiritual gift at the moment of salvation. Our spiritual gifts help to build unity within the Body of Messiah. Messiah has generously divided out his gift to us (Ephesians 4:7 CEV). Neither do you get to choose which gifts you’d like to have; the Spirit of God determines that. Paul explained: It is the one and only Ruach Ha’Kodesh who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have (First Corinthians 12:11). Most people have one dominant spiritual gift and a lesser, or secondary spiritual gift. Because God loves variety and He wants us to be special, no single gift is given to everyone (First Corinthians 12:29-30). Also, no individual receives all the gifts. If you had them all, you’d have no need for anyone else, and that would defeat one of God’s purposes – to teach us to love and depend on each other. But a believer who willingly forsakes fellowship with other believers will inevitably be without genuine, Spirit-driven joy. There are no “lone-ranger” believers (Hebrews (10:25).
The joy of anticipation (1:6). And Paul was confident of their future help. And I am confident (Greek: pepoithos) of this very thing. The perfect tense of the Greek word translated being confident indicates that Paul had come to a settled conviction earlier and that he was still confident that it was true. What was he so confident about? It was that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day when Messiah Yeshua returns (1:6 Greek). That good work was their salvation. The day when Messiah Yeshua returns clearly refers to the time when believers will be glorified, when our salvation will be completed and made perfect (First Corinthians 3:10-15; Second Corinthians 5:10). Believers are predestined to be conformed into the image of the Son (Romans 8:29). We know that when Messiah appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is (First John 3:2). When ADONAI saves, He saves completely and eternally (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Ms – The Eternal Security of the Believer). He has no unfinished works.
The joy of affection (1:7-8). So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. The Greek allows for the phrase since you have me in your heart. Certainly both Paul and the Philippians were in each other’s hearts. But since Paul made a specific reference to himself in verse 7, it is better to take the NLT rendering. His affection for the believers in Philippi is also stated in 1:8 and 4:16.20. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my chains and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News (1:7 NLT).
For God is my witness, I love you and long for you with the tender affection of Messiah Yeshua (1:8 Hebrew). The word witness (Greek: martus) is where we get the word martyr. What a miracle of divine grace for the former proud Pharisee to have such tender affection for these former pagan Greeks! But that is not all. He tells them that this longing is in the bowels of Messiah Yeshua. The inner organs, here designated by the word affection (Greek: splanchnois), were regarded by the ancients as the seat of tender affection. We would say the heart. As a result, Paul describes his longing, not as an individual emotion, but as Messiah’s longing, as if the very heart of Messiah lived in Paul.21
In his commentary on Philippians, John MacArthur lists eight ways that believers lose their biblical joy. First, believers lose their joy by focusing on difficult circumstances. Despite the abundant blessings all believers have in the Lord, many become dissatisfied because of their circumstances. They are unhappy with their appearance, the opportunities that come their way, or with the countless other things that they do not have, but think they deserve. Yeshua promised: I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27 Greek). Paul kept that promise constantly in mind, his attitude toward temporary, non-eternal things was therefore clear: I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself in. I have learned the secret of living in every circumstance, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little (4:11-12 NLT).
A second factor that hinders joy is the influence of Satan and his demons (see The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis). Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (First Peter 5:8 NLT ). In many ways, including false teachers, the wicked one attempts to deceive believers. Although he cannot rob them of their salvation, he can rob them of their joy.
A third cause of the lack of joy is an inadequate understanding of ADONAI’S sovereignty. For believers to worry about their circumstances, and to fear what the future may bring is equivalent to doubting God’s sovereignty, as well as His power and love. In the Sermon on the Mount, Messiah commanded His followers not to be anxious about anything (Matthew 6:25). And perhaps the most cherished promise of all, He said: Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God and also in Me (John 14:1). For believers, God’s sovereignty is the over-arching, all-encompassing reality that keeps everything in perspective (Psalm 55:22).
A fourth negative element that can steal our joy is lack of prayer. Believers who fail to pray inevitably lose sight of God’s sovereignty, and His love and care for us. When believers fail to pray they either give up hope or try to fix the circumstance that they find themselves in. There are times when it’s appropriate to call on the elders of your congregation for help (James 5:14-16). But that can never take the place of a believer’s own prayers. As Paul makes clear in this letter: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (4:6 NIV).
A fifth factor that robs believers of their joy is ingratitude. Few things are more distasteful than ingratitude. Paul commanded that our prayers and appeals to YHVH be made with thanksgiving (4:6). In First Thessalonians 5:18, the apostle urged us to give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua. Rebellious sinners are indicted and sentenced to divine judgment because of their ingratitude (see the commentary on Romans An – The Depraved Mind of the Gentile Pagan).
The sixth cause of lack of joy is forgetting the Lord. Forgetfulness is not a mark of innocence, but of faithlessness and sin. David reminded himself and all believers: Bless ADONAI, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits (Psalm 103:2 CJB). The spiritual chaos that causes division in the congregations of God today is not incited by new converts, but by those who have left their first love. The Lord warned the orthodox, hardworking, and persevering believers in Ephesus: But I hold this against you . . . You have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I will come and remove your menorah from its place (2:4).
A seventh factor in the loss of joy is living in the flesh instead of living in the Spirit. Paul argues that the surrender of our own fleshly desires to the personal control of the indwelling Ruach Ha’Kodesh is the secret of victory over sin and of living a life in which divine love is the motivating impulse. The Ruach will suppress the activities of our sin nature as we trust Him to do so, and cooperate with Him in the process of being conformed into the image of Messiah as seen in the fruit of the Ruach (see the commentary on Galatians Bv – Walk by the Ruach, and Not the Desires of the Flesh).
The eighth and final reason for a lack of joy is unwillingness to accept forgiveness. On the surface, that attitude can appear to reflect humility, but it is the furthest thing from that. It is, in fact, an insult to ADONAI’s righteous character and the clear teaching of His Word. Our Lord made it plain that if [believers] forgive others for their transgressions, [their] heavenly Father will also forgive [them]. But if [they] do not forgive others, then [their] Father will not forgive [their] transgressions (Matthew 6:14-15). David declared that as far as the east is from the west, so far has [ADONAI] removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12), and John wrote that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (First John 1:9 cf. 2:12). That basic truth alone is enough for the believer never to be joyless. The fellowship of God’s people should be a fellowship of joy! The unbeliever’s joy must come from the outside; however, the believer’s joy comes from within. Despite the inevitable sorrows, disappointments, and pain of life, believers can always be joyful! Biblical joy is not built on circumstances, because it is a gift of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (Galatians 5:22).22
Dear heavenly Father, praise You that You are so very wonderful! Living with You at the center of my life brings me such joy which comes from my very special relationship with You. It gives me such joy to know that You have said: If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him (John 14:23). I also find joy in interceding for others (Philippians 1:4). I know I can trust You with absolute certainty that when I seek You, I will find You, provided I seek You with all my heart (Jer 29:12). I can be filled with Your joy, even in the midst of painful circumstances. In Messiah’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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