Joy and Suffering

"What is the relationship between joy and suffering in Philippians?"

From a despairing prison cell, the apostle Paul writes a letter to the Philippian church that exudes joy. Despite the clear discrepancy between suffering and joy, Paul successfully interweaves the two together as he reflects on his own experiences and simultaneously exhorts the church. This essay will seek to explain the unlikely relationship between joy and suffering expressed in Philippians.

There is wide agreement that the context from which Paul writes the letter to the Philippians is as a prisoner. From the beginning of the letter, Paul makes a continual reference to his being “in chains” (1:7, 13, 14, 17). Fee states that whether the phrase “in chains” is to be taken literally or metaphorically to imply imprisonment is inconclusive. Regardless, the Philippians were aware of Paul’s detained state and had sent Epaphroditus to him with a gift (4:10, 17) and to care for him (2:25). The content of the letter reveals that Paul writes to the Philippians to share the effects of his imprisonment (1:12-14) and to thank them for their gift and partnership in the gospel (1:5).

Bloomquist suggests that a normal cultural reaction to suffering for the Philippians would be quite negative and thus the Philippians would no doubt be anxious as they await news of how Paul is coping in prison. It would also be reasonable for them to have the expectation that the progress of Paul’s gospel proclamation is at a standstill. One can therefore imagine that the readers would be surprised to hear that in fact, the apostle rejoices in his suffering because his chains for Christ have advanced the gospel and Christ continues to be preached (1:12-14, 18). Paul speaks about his suffering in a way in which the Philippians would not have at all expected.

Paul makes it clear that he was initially put in chains for Christ (1:13) and he continues to show that Christ “permeates through every part of his life”. Throughout this section (1:12-18), Paul emphasises the importance of the gospel and of Christ being preached without much regard for his own personal state of suffering. Paul does not hesitate to tell the Philippians that there are some who are preaching the gospel out of false motives to stir up trouble for him, but this does not seem to faze him (1:15-17). Paul is quick to share with his friends that what is most important is that Christ is preached (1:18). O’Brien points out that the advancement of the gospel is Paul’s goal and his “personal inconveniences, sufferings, and imprisonment serve this end”.

Throughout the letter to the Philippians, Paul has his eyes fixed on the gospel and on Christ. Reflecting on his upcoming trial, Paul is adamant to continue in his joy as he views the outcome of the trial in light of the future glory that awaits him in Christ. He is confident that whether he lives or dies, he will be ultimately vindicated in the heavenly court (1:19-20). Death is no longer thought of as the more miserable path, but presents the magnificent opportunity of being with Jesus (1:23). Bloomquist proposes that Paul in fact chooses the harder road that consists of ongoing suffering as he convinces himself that remaining with the Philippians is what is more necessary for their sake (1:24-26). Even in this hypothetical dilemma, Paul reveals his self-sacrificial attitude for the sake of the ongoing work of Christ and the gospel.

Just as Paul “subordinates his own personal concerns to the wider interests of the gospel” , so he encourages the Philippians to do the same. He urges them to conduct themselves “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27). Like Paul, they too must live a life that reflects the gospel and their heavenly citizenship. How are they to do this? When they face opposition against the progress of the gospel, they are to stand united as a Christian community in Philippi, firm in their faith so that their unity can reveal the salvation they share (1:27-28).

Paul reveals to the readers that they too are suffering for Christ (1:29-30; 2:17). The idea of suffering for Christ may have been completely new for the Philippians. How were they to comprehend this? Once again, Paul points the Philippians back to the work of the gospel in them through Christ. He assures them of their salvation by sharing that just as their belief in Christ has been granted to them, so has this suffering (1:29). Carson suggests that this is another way of Paul telling them what a great privilege they enjoy in suffering for Christ. Fee and Carson both agree that Paul is exhorting the Philippians as Christ’s disciples, to follow his example of suffering.

O’Brien proposes that “behaviour consistent with the gospel will mean demonstrating unity in humility amongst themselves”. The ultimate example of humility is that of Christ, their Lord who in the hymn outlined in 2:5-11 is shown to be a model of perfect humility and self-denial. Following Christ’s example in the denying of self interest leads to the real possibility of the Philippians being one in spirit and purpose (2:2) that will enable them to live lives that are worthy of the gospel of Christ. Bruce asserts that Christ’s example should lead the Philippians to “spontaneous self-forgetfulness and self-sacrifice”.

It is this hymn in 2:5-11 which Culpepper states is central to the letter to the Philippians. The themes of suffering, humility and unity in chapter one point ultimately to Christ. Paul offers himself as one who has “followed Christ in self-denial and humility in the service of others and of the gospel”. The Christian suffering that Paul experiences is that of one who has denied his own self-interests for the sake of the promotion of the gospel. The proclamation of the gospel is so important to Paul that he encourages the Philippians to adopt this same denial of self-interest and presents them with two further examples of Jesus’ followers who assumed this attitude of self-sacrifice.

Timothy and Epaphroditus are mentioned in 2:19-30 as Paul’s fellow workers in the gospel. Paul speaks very highly of both men, who show the Philippians what denying of self might look like. Paul emphasises Timothy’s interest in the welfare of others above his own for the sake of Christ (2:20-22). Ephaphroditus also risked his life for the work of Christ (2:30). Paul presents these two men as examples before addressing the problems of disunity (4:2) and possible opposition (3:2) within the church.

Despite this seemingly endless list of exhortations to self-sacrifice and suffering, the letter to the Philippians reveals much more than this. These exhortations are in reality a mere shadow compared to the remarkable and wonderful exhortations of joy that Paul expresses in this letter to his friends.

Not only does Paul directly encourage the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord” (3:1; 4:4) but he models it for them in his own life. It is clear from the very start of the letter, that Paul finds complete joy in Christ and the gospel which everything else flows out from. As aforementioned, Paul rejoices in the progress of the gospel even when he is in chains (1:18). In 2:17-18, Paul speaks again of rejoicing in suffering but this time Paul asks that the Philippians would rejoice with him also as they consider their own suffering and his. Paul is glad for his suffering or even his death to be the additional sacrifice poured out on top of the Philippians’ own sacrifice of self-denial and he calls the Philippians to rejoice with him at the prospect of this. Muller suggests that Paul is exhorting the Philippians to rejoice “on account of their living and active faith”. Up to this point in the letter, Paul helps the Philippians to have a different perspective on suffering. He encourages them to see suffering with the view of Christ being glorified and exalted in the proclamation of the gospel. This is a cause to rejoice.

But Paul’s joy in Christ is probably best seen in his great desire to know Christ intimately (3:8, 10). He urges the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord (3:1; 4:4) and then continues by speaking strong words of warning against evil opponents that the Philippians must watch out for (3:2). How are the two related? It appears that these “dogs” could possibly lead the Philippians astray with their false teaching and their “confidence in the flesh” (3:3-4). Paul resolutely states that knowing Christ is of “surpassing greatness” (3:8) compared to these boastings of the flesh. Furthermore, Paul so deeply desires to possess the joy of knowing Christ more and more that he endures the suffering of letting go of all fleshly confidences in order to be found in Christ (3:7-9). Paul acknowledges that the suffering he endures is defined by the sufferings of Christ which he sees as the “means to attain the prize of the resurrection”.

Fee suggests that if knowing Christ involves sharing in his sufferings then undergoing suffering is grounds for unwavering joy as it reveals an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus. This helps the readers to understand that rejoicing in the context of suffering can be understood and made sense of. In addition, Paul points the Philippians to their future hope, their heavenly citizenship which he himself presses on towards (3:14, 20). How are the Philippians to stand firm as they endure their sufferings? They are to rejoice in the certainty of their place in heaven. They are to eagerly await the return of their Saviour who will transform their lowly bodies to become like his glorious body (3:20-21).
Paul’s joy is evident through every aspect of his life. Paul models for the Philippians a joy that is not oblivious to trials and difficult circumstances but instead realistically takes them into account. This is possible because the joy that Paul possesses is not grounded in his circumstances but in the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether the Philippians suffer for the gospel or struggle with disagreements within the church, they are to seek after the complete joy that can be continually found in Jesus. Knowing Jesus leads them on a direct path to claim their heavenly citizenship.

What then, is the relationship between joy and suffering? The joy that is found in Christ results in the glad suffering for the sake of Christ and the gospel. This suffering in turn causes one to once again rejoice, as suffering reveals the relationship between the servant and the Master. The relationship between joy and suffering can be illustrated in the following diagram:

Joy in Christ --> Suffering for Christ --> Joy in Christ

The source of Paul’s joy is in Jesus and his redemptive work on the cross. For Paul, joy is grounded in the gospel and the relationship he now shares with Jesus. It is clear that regardless of the situations Paul finds himself in, this joy he has in Christ transcends even the worst of them.

Paul shows us that when one’s joy is completely based on Christ and what he has done and what he will do in the future, then suffering for the sake of the gospel will inevitably lead to more joy. Paul’s focus is clearly not on his suffering but on his joy in Christ. He sees all things through the filter of joy that is found in Jesus to the extent that suffering for the sake of the gospel can be considered a privilege and a “cause for joy”.

NB. This essay is a consolidation of my own thoughts on Philippians and commentator's thoughts. There are actually footnotes for this essay but didn't come out when I transferred it over to the blog- can't remember how I did it last time! So if you'd like to know where I got some ideas from, let me know.