Day 24 – Philippians 4:20-23

Sat 6^th June   –  Read Philippians 4:20-23

V20:  We could easily “skim over” these closing verses, but they continue to express before God Paul’s heartfelt commitment to, and love for these Philippian Christians. First, he is concerned to give God the glory which is His due, in everything and for ever. Are we concerned to give Him the glory, for all that He is and does – not least for the gift of His Son to be our Saviour.

V21 -22: He sends greetings to all the believers – “saints”, remember, in the NT are all true Christians, all Christ’s redeemed, set apart for Him and for His service, belonging not to the world, but to God. And those greetings are also from those with him – clearly, permitted to visit him and even minister to him in his current captivity – Timothy and Epaphroditus among them, but others too, from the church in Rome – and how wonderfully God  works, as Paul can testify that this includes believers “of Caesar’s household”, probably not his actual family, but members of the wider imperial circle, maybe some of the imperial guard who have the custody of Paul (Philippians 1:13 ).Here surely is the fruit of Paul’s witness even as a prisoner. God can use His people in any situation, if they bear a faithful testimony.

V23:  So, the closing benediction. He prays that Christ’s own grace may be their portion, their living experience in the whole of their being, spiritual as well as physical. May this be our portion too – truly by the grace of God