Joy in Philippians

13 July

Yesterday, I mentioned some pretty confronting mental health statistics. A lot of Australians—especially younger Australians—are dealing with some pretty serious stuff.

I then mentioned that Paul has some helpful stuff to say. Especially when it comes to joy.

In this post, I want to have a go at defining joy and thinking about where we can find it.

What is Joy?

So, what exactly is joy? Here’s a definition of “joy” based on how Paul talks about it:

For Paul, joy is a state of the heart and mind (Phil 4:7), deeply rooted in a relationship with Jesus (Phil 4:4), independent of external circumstances (Phil 4:10-12), shared between Christians (Phil 3:1, 4:4) in response to what God has done and is doing through his Son (Phil 3:1-11, 4:4) and in his people (Phil 1:3–5, 4:4), often expressed in thanksgiving and praise (Phil 1:3-5), and leading to peace and strength (Phil 4:6, 13).

Joy has some stuff in common with what we call “happiness”. Both are positive. Both are desirable. Both can involve “feeling good” and “not feeling sad”.

But there are some differences as well. Happiness fluctuates more. It’s more based on situation and circumstance. It can disappear more easily. It’s often more self-centred, focussing on our own pleasure and comfort.

Where Can We Find It?

Most of us will agree that, whatever joy is, it’s better than whatever the opposite of joy is. We wantit. So, where we can we find it?

In Philippians, Paul shows us (at least) eight ways we can find joy.

1. Joy in Gospel Partnership

Firstly, joy in gospel partnership. In 1:3–5, he says,

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul finds joy in his partnership with the Christians in the Philippian church. When he remembers these people, he experiences joy, knowing that God is at work in them.

Likewise, as Paul speaks of his friends in the gospel, friends like Timothy and Epaphroditus, he calls the Philippians to rejoice and be glad (2:29).

We, too, can and should find joy when we meet with—and see God at work in—those who we partner with in the gospel, whether those we go to church with, those we lead in various ministries, or those we know from other Christian circles.

2. Joy in Gospel Preaching

Next, Paul experiences joy when he hears that the gospel is preached. In Philippians 1, Paul mentions that people are preaching the gospel with questionable motives. But they’re still preaching the gospel. And because of that, he rejoices:

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Philippians 1:18

Similarly, when we see that the gospel is being preached, we should rejoice! Even if you have some questions about the motives going on. The good news of Jesus is being shared, and this news changes lives. Rejoice!

3. Joy in Gospel Unity

When was the last time you rejoiced because of gospel unity? Unity around the gospel brings Paul a lot of joy.

Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Philippians 2:3

Unity brings Paul joy. When Christians are like-minded, loving, united in spirit and thinking, his joy is brought to completion.

Likewise, when we see unity among Christians, we should be joyful too.

4. Joy in Gospel Service

Paul also says he experiences joy when he pours himself out in gospel ministry.

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Philippians 2:17

He rejoices because of his sacrificial service and says his readers should rejoice because of this too.

When was the last time you rejoiced because of your service for the sake of the gospel? When was the last time you rejoiced because you heard of someone else sharing Jesus at Kids’ Church? When did you pause and rejoice because someone cleaned the church so that people could comfortably hear about Jesus without distraction and dust mites?

5. Joy in Gospel Righteousness

Paul starts Philippians 3 with an encouragement to “rejoice in the Lord”. Why? He goes on to explain that we are not saved by a righteousness that comes from our own good works, but by “the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” in Christ (Philippians 3:9).

This is a righteousness that is permanently given to Christians. We can’t lose it. Despite all of our sin. Whenever God sees us, he sees this righteousness in us. It is objectively ours forever. This means that we rest entirely secure, knowing that God has saved us. How can this not make us feel some joy?

6. Joy in Prayer and Thanksgiving

In Philippians 4:4, Paul calls us to “rejoice in the Lord always”. And if we didn’t get the point, he follows it up with, “Again, I say rejoice”. He anticipates that his readers might be experiencing anxiety. So he follows up with this:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

We can rejoice because, in any and every situation, we can come before God in prayer with our requests. In any and every situation, we have something to give thanks for. This should lead us to joy. Sometimes the process of prayer itself answers the prayer. This can be the case when we pray for something like joy. We have the privilege of entering the throne-room of God in prayer. If you think about it, how could we not have joy when we experience that level of access to God?

7. Joy in Gospel Generosity

In Philippians 4:10, Paul rejoices because the Philippians care for him and sought to express gospel generosity. They didn’t actually have the opportunity, but they wanted to share with him.

We can rejoice when people care for us and what to extend gospel generosity with us. But what about when people don’t care for us?

8. Joy in Contentment

Well, in the very next verse, Paul says that he has found the secret to contentment:

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
. Philippians 4:11-12:

Before we get to what the secret of contentment is, it’s worth noting two things. Firstly, contentment is something that can be learned. He says that twice in verses 11 and 12. Secondly, this contentment is non-circumstantial. It’s not based on whether he’s well-fed or not. It’s not based on whether he has lots of money or not.

In verse 13 he spills the beans. What is the secret of contentment?

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

In other words, “I’m able to do all of the things that I do, ultimately, because Jesus is at work in me, and he gives me all of the strength that I have. This is the reason I am content.” That’s the secret of contentment. Knowing and therefore being strengthened by Jesus. If we have Jesus, we have all we need. Paul doesn’t explicitly link this to joy. But it’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t link this contentment with his joy. He experiences joy because he has the contentment in knowing and being strengthened by Jesus. Surely it follows that if we find contentment in Jesus, we will find joy.

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So, there we have eight places where we can find joy. But what about those times when we’re just not feeling the joy? See my next post for some thoughts on this.

Martin Robinson