Tag: Circumstances vs Joy - Philippians 1-2

Philippians 2:19 (ESV Strong's)

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.

Tag:  Circumstances and Joy

The book of Philippians is an entire book on the subject of “joy.”     Paul is quite specific as to what gives him joy.   The first time he uses the word in the book is here:

Philippians 1:3-4 (ESV Strong's)

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,

His prayer was with joy.    The reason for the joy was that he as a relationship with Christ and that produces joy in his spirit.   In fact, the Holy Spirit is the source of all real joy ... it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:20-22).    In the above passage we read that Paul is going to be “cheered” over sending Timothy to the Philippians believers.    This is the only place in the New Testament that this Greek word is used (eupsycheō).   It is a word made up of two Greek words:  “eu” and “(psychē).    The prefix means “good” or “well.”  They “psyche” is familiar to us.   We use it to speak of the fields of Psychology and Psychiatry.    It is the word for “spirit.”   So, Paul is saying that he will have a “good and well spirit” if he can send them support with Timothy’s visit.   Paul is not moved to a calm spirit based upon the circumstances, but rather recognizes that those circumstances would demonstrate the answer to his prayer and his mission he hoped for.   Paul’s joy is not determined by outside circumstances.  But, Paul does have a good and calm spirit when He sees God work further in the lives of others.   God was Gospel mission centric.  That was what calmed his spirit.   He had nothing in his mind other than the spread of the Gospel.  Timothy going to Philippi was one more answer to prayer and one more step in his mission.  That brought him further joy.   Outside circumstances should provide joy, but only when they reflect on the power of the Gospel.  All other circumstances are simply noise in our ears to get our attention away from the power of the Gospel.