Paul certainly knew hurting, and Paul also knew true joy. And he understood joy through struggling. In his darkest hour, he had written this letter to encourage his most intimate friends. He himself was a prisoner at that time yet it had been he who was simply offering encouragement to them, the faithful at Philippi!

Here is a notice that’s pregnant with insights about the real priorities in lifestyle, encouragement during difficult studies, and guidance through the inevitable dark times. Inner joy happens 16 situations in these four short chapters. Paul also handles a few of our thorniest problems: how to deal with Christian troublemakers. He more than likely lost his life because of trouble due to Christians in Rome!

A passage, known among scholars as the Kenosis, teaches of the divinity of Christ, His preexistence, and His equality with the daddy.