Reading Paul: feeling well

Don’t you love the way Paul writes? How well he makes us feel in reading his letters. I’m sure this was his intent.

Take, for instance Philippians 1: 6 - “…being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it…” A pencil marking in my Bible has “fulfil completely”. How could we not be encouraged by this as church members, authors, nurses, engineers, scientists, swimmers, runners, voyagers, musicians, teachers, public servants, architects, shop owners, drivers, carpenters, fishermen, tailors, carers, and so on? 

What confidence Paul exudes in his friends at Philippi. Or rather, what confidence he exudes in God and His Christ!

Further on (Phil 1: 10), we hear his words of encouragement to act with sincerity and not take offence. How easy it is to take offence! I am reminded of Mrs Eddy’s essay “Taking Offence” in her Miscellaneous Writings (pp. 223 – 224): 

“Well may we feel wounded by our own faults; but we can hardly afford to be miserable for the faults of others...We should remember that the world is wide; that there are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, ambitions, tastes, and loves…” 

This essay has helped me on so many occasions.  

Paul’s world-view embraced many different nationalities and customs. He enjoins his friends at Philippi to appreciate and look for excellence - “approve things that are excellent”, knowing that if excellence is possible for one, then it is possible for all.

Oh, the meekness and the expectation of good Paul exemplifies from his Roman prison - his “bonds in Christ” (Phil 1: 13). He is certainly looking for the up-side of his situation here, and, as always his desire is to magnify Christ (v. 20). 

Julie Swannell