Why Did Paul Write Philippians?

Preparing for the Second Sunday of Advent: Three Days before Sunday (Year C)

Scripture

Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 3:5-12; Philippians 1:12-18a

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Prayer

In this season of Advent, we give thanks for the gift of your son. We’re grateful for the hope, love, joy, and peace he brings. May our hearts be continually filled with gratitude for your grace. (Hymns and Verses).

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Reflection

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the progress of the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ, and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.

Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true, and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice (Philippians 1:12-18a).

Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians to address several important matters, rooted in his relationship with the church in and their circumstances.