Philippians 1:9 - Meaning and Application

These verses give us the prayers Paul offered for the Philippians. Paul often told his friends what he was asking God to do for them. That helped them know what to pray for themselves, and it encouraged them that such a strong intercessor, someone who prays for others, was asking God for their help. It also reassured them that their friends and ministers had a real interest in the throne of grace, God’s place of mercy and help.

Paul also wanted to guide their daily walk. He wanted them to live in a way that matched his prayers, so that God’s answer to those prayers would be seen in their lives. When he prayed with such confidence, he was expecting good things for them. In the same way, we should want to honor the prayers of godly friends and ministers by living faithfully.

He prayed, first, that they would be a loving people, with love growing more and more. He means love for God, for one another, and for all people. Love fulfills both the law and the gospel. Even those who have much grace still need more, because our best gifts are still incomplete.

He also prayed that they would be a wise and thoughtful people, with love grounded in knowledge and judgment. Love that pleases God is not blind. It is based on knowing God’s great worth and beauty, and on seeing God’s image in our brothers and sisters. Strong feelings without knowledge and steady judgment can do more harm than good. The Jews had zeal for God, but not according to knowledge, and it led them into violence and anger (Romans 10:2; John 16:2).

Next, he prayed that they would be discerning people. This follows from knowledge and judgment. They were to approve what is excellent, or, as the margin says, try the things that differ (Philippians 1:10). That means testing things so they can recognize what is truly best and see how it differs from other things. The truths and commands of Christ are excellent, and every believer should approve and value them. If we honestly examine them, they will commend themselves to any thoughtful mind.

He also prayed that they would be sincere, that is, honest and upright in heart. Sincerity is the perfection the gospel calls us to, the grace that should shape our whole life in the world and give beauty to all our other graces. When our eye is single, when we are inwardly true before God, and when we really are what we seem to be, then we are sincere.

He wanted them to be people who gave no offense, and who avoided giving offense, until the day of Christ. They were not to be quick to take offense, and they were to be careful not to offend God or their fellow believers. They were to live with a clear conscience before God (Acts 23:1), and keep a conscience free from offense toward God and people (Acts 24:16). They must keep on this path to the end, so they can be presented blameless at Christ’s coming. He will present the church without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27), and believers faultless before his glory with great joy (Jude 1:24).

Finally, he prayed that they would be fruitful and useful people, filled with the fruits of righteousness, meaning the good works that come from a renewed heart. Our fruit comes from God, so we must ask him for it. These fruits are the evidence and effect of sanctification, which is being made holy. They are the duties of holiness that grow out of the new life God gives. Those who do much good should still seek to do more.

Paul says these fruits are through Jesus Christ, because we can do nothing without his strength and grace. He is the root from which all spiritual fruit grows, and from him believers draw their strength. We are strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1), and strengthened with might by his Spirit (Ephesians 3:16). These fruits are also meant for the glory and praise of God. We must not seek our own honor in doing good, but God’s praise and glory, that God may be glorified in all things (1 Peter 4:11), and whatever we do, we must do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). It greatly honors God when Christians are not only good themselves, but also do good and abound in good works.