Session 1: Partners in the Gospel

1.1 The Foundation of Joy: A Deeply Held Affection

Paul doesn’t waste any time with formalities. He jumps right in with a big bear hug of a greeting. After the standard “Grace and peace,” he immediately gushes with affection: “I thank my God whenever I remember you, always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy”. This isn’t some abstract spiritual mood; it’s a joy that’s tied directly to people. The very memory of his friends in Philippi makes his heart swell with gratitude.

And this feeling isn’t a one-way street. Paul says, “It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart”. He’s not just being sentimental. He holds them in his heart right in the middle of his own suffering, in his “bonds” and in the “defense of the Good News.” Their connection is so real that he calls God as his witness to how much he longs for them, a feeling he describes as being “in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus”. This is the foundation for everything else in the letter: deep, authentic, Christ-centered relationships are a main-line source of profound Christian joy.

1.2 The Heart of the Matter: Koinonia

So, why is he so joyful? He tells us plainly: it’s because of their “partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now”. The Greek word here for “partnership” is koinonia, and it’s a word you’ll want to underline. It’s so much richer than our English word “fellowship.” Think of it less like a church potluck and more like a shared bank account, a shared mission, and a shared life. The song lyric “Partners in the gospel, we / Bound by love’s sweet tie” gets it just right.

This koinonia wasn’t just a warm, fuzzy feeling. It was gritty and practical. The Philippians had partnered with Paul by working alongside him, by sharing in his sufferings, and by supporting him financially. Their partnership wasn’t a one-time donation; it was a steady, faithful reality “from the first day until now.”

This shared life between believers is only possible because it’s plugged into something deeper: a shared life with God Himself. The partnership we have with each other is a direct result of the partnership we’ve been invited into with God through Jesus. That’s why Paul later talks about the “koinonia of the Spirit” (2:1) and the “koinonia of his sufferings” (3:10). Christian community isn’t something we manufacture; it’s a gift that flows from being swept up into God’s grand story. When Paul thanks the Philippians, he’s recognizing that they’re all in on this divine adventure together.

1.3 The Confidence of Faith: God’s Finishing Work

Paul’s joy isn’t just about the past; it’s also about the future. He’s “confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”. This is one of those verses you might want to get tattooed on your arm. It anchors our hope, not in our own wobbly efforts, but in the rock-solid faithfulness of God.

The “good work” is the whole package of salvation, from the first spark of faith to the final day of glory. God is the one who starts it, and God is the one who will finish it. The song echoes this promise beautifully: “He who started this good work / Will bring it to the sky.” This is why Paul can pray with such confidence. He knows that his prayers for his friends are perfectly in sync with God’s unstoppable plan. It’s a profound comfort to know that our ultimate security rests in the hands of a God who always finishes what He starts.

1.4 The Prayer of a Partner: Abounding in Love and Discernment

So, what does Paul pray for his partners? Not for health, wealth, or comfort, but for something far more valuable: spiritual maturity. “This I pray,” he writes, “that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment”.

He’s praying for a specific kind of love—not a mushy, sentimental, uninformed emotion, but a tough, smart love. A love that’s sharpened by knowledge and guided by discernment. Why? So that they can “approve the things that are excellent”. A discerning love helps us navigate the messy gray areas of life, telling the difference between the good and the best.

The ultimate goal is a life of integrity that makes a difference. Paul prays they’ll be “sincere and without offense to the day of Christ”, which leads to being “filled with the fruits of righteousness”. A life overflowing with this kind of love will naturally produce good character and good actions, all of which point back to God and bring him glory. The song’s bridge sums it up perfectly, praying for a love that grows “in knowledge rich and deep,” leading to a life that’s a “fragrant sacrifice.”

Reflection & Discussion

• What does “partnership in the gospel” actually look like in our church today? How can we practically share in the work and the giving?
• How does the promise that God will finish the work He started in you (Phil. 1:6) change the way you look at your own spiritual struggles? How about the struggles of others?
• What would it look like to start praying for each other the way Paul does—not just for needs to be met, but for love to grow smarter and deeper?

Lyrics