SCENES AND STORIES WORKSHEET

The theological message in this passage involves motives in the ministry, and the progress of the ministry amidst persecution. When one is reading the passage, they get to realize the Philippians were greatly concerned about the situation of Paul as a prisoner, concerns that Paul is trying to ease. He is likely to be executed and yet he remains upbeat for the Philippians’ sake and he wants them to know that rather than preventing the progress of the gospel, his confinement is advancing it.  It’s a reminder that many times in Christianity’s history, difficulties arising from persecution turned out to be opportunities for major preaching of the gospel.  Paul is trying to point out that his situation has been an encouragement to many of his brothers and sisters in Christ, since they become fearless and courageous in preaching the God’s Word after observing Paul’s perseverance. After seeing Paul’s resolution to endure these trials and God’s grace upon him in the situations, the zeal for the ministry is increased. Buoyed by the example Paul was setting, they become bolder and stronger in taking the message to the world.  The issue of motives comes in, where Paul is concerned that some people have taken advantage of his absence to advance their own status and interests in the church.  These people are unlike Paul who has a special calling and unique abilities and through the grace of God, he used them to advance the gospel. These ministers seem to be envious of the work accomplished by Paul without understanding that no one can claim the ownership of any success in the ministry. It is sad that jealousy and rivalry among Christian ministers and preachers has been present throughout the history of Christianity. However, Paul is not worried by their action because either way Christ is being preached.

Figurative language

It was clear across the entire Palace that Paul was in chain for the sake of Christ. In other words, Paul was not imprisoned because of his mistakes, but because he was preaching the gospel of Christ. It means that Paul is standing in place of Christ in prison.

Descriptive

The reason for preaching Christ for some ministers were rivalry and envy, self ambition with an aim of making the situation worse for Paul while in prison. However, others were preaching out of good will.

Concrete

Concrete language is perceived through a person senses. Because of Paul’s chains, majority of his brothers and sisters in Christ gained confidence in the Lord so they were more daring to proclaim the word without any fear. The chains holding Paul served to strengthen them to continue with preaching.

Senate

It does not matter that some ministers were preaching out of self-interest but the  basic things is that whether out of love or self-ambition , Christ is preached and this was reason why Paul was rejoicing.

Specific

Some preachers preached the gospel driven by goodwill and love while others preached for self interests driven by self-ambition , with no sincerity and hoped that by so doing , Paul’s troubles in prison would worsen.

3

Paul wrote the passage in prison and at a time when he was being persecuted. At the Philippians’ church there was great uncertainty about the safety of Paul and he saw it necessary to comfort them with this passage.

Paul is the main character in the passage and the others include the Philippians believers and other ministers who took over after Paul left. The other Character is God and the reason why Paul is in prison.

Relationships

Paul’s relationship with Christ followers at Philippines is cordial which is seen by their concern for his well-being at the prison.  Some preachers have followed his teachings, and are preaching out of goodwill and love. Others have are envious and jealous of Paul and hope that his condition at prison would be worse.

Motives

In the passage we see different motives for preaching the gospel. Some ministers are driven by love and goodwill to preach about the gospel of Christ while others are driven jealous and self-ambitious hoping that they would make Paul to remain in prison.

Divine involvement

Paul’s imprisonment would have de-motivated his brothers and sisters, but God used the situation to increase their zeal for preaching the word.

Surprises

Those preaching to fulfill their won interest thought that Paul influence on the church of Philippines would wane , but did not realize that Christ was also being preached thorough their self-ambitions.

 

 

In the midst of concerns that his imprisonment would derail the preaching of the gospel, Paul assured the church that this indeed motivated believers to preach more. While some were preaching out of self-interest, it was important to know that either way the Christ was being preached. The believers would continue with their search for the true ministers.  Regardless of his confinement and dishonest preachers it was important to continue with preaching out of love and goodwill. The spreading of the gospel would continue even amid the prevailing challenges.

Anybody inside Rome who happened to know about Paul’s imprisonment probably came to learn that the reason was the propagation of Christianity. He probably been arrested and taken in prison in Rome waiting for a verdict on his fate to be given.