If the Galatians and the Corinthians were like
thorns in Paul’s flesh, then the Philippians were the healing balm for the pain
in Paul’s neck. It’s not that the Philippians didn’t have troubles of their own
it’s that despite the trials they faced they were more than willing to share
Paul’s. That is the way of partnership in the Gospel. Or as Paul will write to
the law bound Galatians, bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of
Christ. Or to the spiritually arrogant Corinthians, you can babble on in
whatever language you like but the language of love is the only one that
matters. The Philippians understood that from the beginning when they were the
only church to support Paul’s efforts in Macedonia. It’s hard to image how
their love might overflow more than it already had but that is Paul’s prayer
for those who shared his joy and his suffering. Whenever the church ceases to be
conversant in the language of love it is in need of a Philippian reformation
that the good work begun on the day of our Pentecost might be completed on the
day of resurrection.
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