Paul’s Prayer for Abounding Love

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,” Philippians 1:9

• The gospel came to Philippi in Macedonia through Paul, Silas and Timothy between 49 and 52 A.D. as described in Acts 16.

• Philippi was a Roman colony and an important centre.  There were few Jews there and no synagogue.

• As a result of Paul’s preaching beside a river, a woman called Lydia believed.

• Then, after being imprisoned, Paul and Silas witnessed to a jailer who became a Christian.

• These people would have helped to form a new church in Philippi.

• Paul had a great affection for the people of the growing church and wrote to them, probably from Rome where he was a prisoner awaiting execution.

• His purposes were to tell them of his situation; to encourage them to persevere; to inform them of his plans in sending Timothy and Epaphroditus to them, and, above all, to encourage a spirit of unity among them.

• His letter begins formally with a greeting; “grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

• He then overflows with thanksgiving for the Christians of Philippi who he praises as partners in ministry with him.

• We should treasure those who support us: Jesus did; David did; we all can.

• Paul prays, firstly, THAT THEIR LOVE MAY ABOUND MORE AND MORE IN KNOWLEDGE AND DEPTH OF INSIGHT.

• Love is the heart and soul of the gospel, so we would expect that this is what Paul would pray for.

• He prays that love would abound in knowledge and insight.  He wants their love to be INFORMED and INTELLIGENT, not ignorant and indulgent.

• Secondly, Paul prays that this informed and insightful commitment will lead the people to discern what is best and result in them being pure and blameless.

• The good can be the enemy of the best.  The best for us is what Paul describes in verse 11: the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.

• The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Jesus, reproduced within us.

Bible readings:  Proverbs 11:2-31, Philippians 1:1-11