Joy
Sep 16, 2025 by Addison Crissone
The book of Philippians is such a book of joy.
This is why it is one of the most beloved books in all the Bible- because of its joy.
But what if I told you that the circumstances of this epistle to the Philippian church were brought forth from anything joyous times?
Paul, when writing the letter, was being held in a Roman prison cell as a prisoner "for Christ" (Phil. 1:13). He is writing concerning his imprisonment, and his anything-but-good circumstances and the uncertain outcome.
He spoke of his longing to go home, being torn between his desire to go to heaven and his desire to carry on proclaiming the gospel on earth. He wrote of his being poured out as an offering for the sake of the gospel, as a sacrifice of faith (2:17).
And yet, he tells us to rejoice with him (V.18).
Rejoice. Sheer, unadulterated joy in the midst of unimaginable hardship.
He saw the good in his circumstances, rather than the evil lurking all around him.
This is why it is one of the most beloved books in all the Bible- because of its joy.
But what if I told you that the circumstances of this epistle to the Philippian church were brought forth from anything joyous times?
Paul, when writing the letter, was being held in a Roman prison cell as a prisoner "for Christ" (Phil. 1:13). He is writing concerning his imprisonment, and his anything-but-good circumstances and the uncertain outcome.
He spoke of his longing to go home, being torn between his desire to go to heaven and his desire to carry on proclaiming the gospel on earth. He wrote of his being poured out as an offering for the sake of the gospel, as a sacrifice of faith (2:17).
And yet, he tells us to rejoice with him (V.18).
Rejoice. Sheer, unadulterated joy in the midst of unimaginable hardship.
He saw the good in his circumstances, rather than the evil lurking all around him.
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has
really served to advance the gospel...
-Philippians 1:12
really served to advance the gospel...
-Philippians 1:12
His imprisonment was for Christ, and while he was imprisoned, he wasted no time. He used his ordinary cell as an extraordinary pedestal- one to proclaim the gospel to his guards and captors, until all the Imperial Guard knew why he was there. It was all for the gospel.
Furthermore, his imprisonment inspired and lit a fire in the next generation of evangelists and missionaries whom he had known before being imprisoned, many of whom went on to speak the gospel boldly, without fear (1:14).
Paul knew that whether by his life or by his death, God would be glorified and the gospel made known.
He was a humble man who had a very sane and proper estimate of his place in the grand scheme of things- he knew that he was but one instrument in God's gospel orchestra, and he was not afriad to let another instrument take his place if that meant his going home.
Either way, God would be glorified.
And because of this, he rejoiced.
With genuine, true joy- not artificial or forced. Not the fake kind of joy that we often hide behind.
True joy.
Only the kind that can come from knowing God and doing the work of his Son.
Friend, we should never count this life as more worth than the Eternal glory we have awaiting us.
We should stand for the gospel, speak boldly the word without fear, knowing that if we die, Eternity is only a breath away. Only a heartbeat from reality. Knowing that whatever is done out of love for Jesus is worth whatever cost or risk to us.
Knowing that with the cost comes unimaginable joy.
Furthermore, his imprisonment inspired and lit a fire in the next generation of evangelists and missionaries whom he had known before being imprisoned, many of whom went on to speak the gospel boldly, without fear (1:14).
Paul knew that whether by his life or by his death, God would be glorified and the gospel made known.
He was a humble man who had a very sane and proper estimate of his place in the grand scheme of things- he knew that he was but one instrument in God's gospel orchestra, and he was not afriad to let another instrument take his place if that meant his going home.
Either way, God would be glorified.
And because of this, he rejoiced.
With genuine, true joy- not artificial or forced. Not the fake kind of joy that we often hide behind.
True joy.
Only the kind that can come from knowing God and doing the work of his Son.
Friend, we should never count this life as more worth than the Eternal glory we have awaiting us.
We should stand for the gospel, speak boldly the word without fear, knowing that if we die, Eternity is only a breath away. Only a heartbeat from reality. Knowing that whatever is done out of love for Jesus is worth whatever cost or risk to us.
Knowing that with the cost comes unimaginable joy.
