Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.
Philippians 1:1 

Paul opens his letter to the believers in Philippi with these words: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi” (Philippians 1:1). The Greek word for “saints” is hagios (ἅγιος), which means “holy ones.” That title might seem intimidating at first. Often, people think of saints as spiritual heroes, perfect Christians, or a special group known for their holiness. But Paul meant something much broader and more encouraging to everyday followers of Jesus.

Simply put, in the New Testament, hagios refers to all believers who belong to Christ. Every Christian is called a saint, not because they are perfect, but because they have been set apart by God. Paul even addressed the troubled believers in Corinth as saints despite their many failures and struggles. Their identity was not rooted in flawless behavior but in their position “in Christ Jesus.” That is fantastic news for you and me.

This truth changes how we see ourselves. Many believers feel discouraged because they focus on their weaknesses or mistakes. Paul reminds us that our true identity comes from what Christ has done for us. Through the gospel, God calls us His own people.

But hagios is more than just a position; it is also a calling. It has feet to what we are called to be. If we belong to a holy God, we are called to show His character in our daily lives. It’s taking the story of Jesus into your life, where you live, work, and play. Holiness does not mean leaving the world behind, but living differently in it. Our words, attitudes, relationships, and priorities start to reflect the heart of Christ.

The beauty of the gospel is that God calls imperfect people “holy ones” and keeps shaping them into what He has already said they are. In Christ, you do not have to work to earn God’s acceptance. You already belong to Him, called by his love, set apart for His purposes, and invited to live in the holiness He is creating in you each day. So today, relax into his grace and your identity, Saints, and love God and love others.

1. When you think about yourself and your identity what comes to mind first? How would you define your identity in one word? 

2. Do you identify more with the moniker “saint” or “sinner” and does that affect how you think God views you? 

3. In what way would your life change if you lived out of your identity as a “saint” instead of whatever description came to mind above? 

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.
Philippians 1:3, 4

Paul opens his letter to the church in Philippi with a remarkable phrase: “always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy” (Philippians 1:4). The Greek word he uses is chara (χαρά), a deep, abiding joy rooted not in circumstances, but in Christ Himself.

This joy is not the same as the happiness the world offers. Worldly happiness changes with success, comfort, or good news. It is fragile because it depends on our situation. True joy is anchored in something eternal. It is the steady confidence that God is with us, God is at work, and He will complete what He started.

What makes Paul’s words even more powerful is where he writes them. He is imprisoned. His future is in uncertain. Yet, joy fills his prayers. Why? Because Paul understands that Christian joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of Christ in suffering. The gospel had united him so deeply to Jesus that chains could not silence rejoicing.

Many people spend their lives chasing happiness but still feel empty inside. The joy that comes from the Lord is different. It goes deeper than passing feelings. This joy gives us stability when we grieve, strength in hard times, and the assurance that our lives are secure in Christ.

Throughout Philippians, Paul shows that joy flows from union with Christ and participation in the gospel. This joy is produced by the Holy Spirit and reflects the future hope believers already taste in the present. In other words, chara is heaven breaking into everyday life.

Today, ask God to grow this chara, or joy, in your heart. Not a short-lived happiness that depends on what happens, but a joy rooted in the gospel that stays strong in every season. When Christ is your greatest treasure, joy is always close by. 

1. Where do you find yourself looking for joy most often? 

2. When was a time you tried to anchor yourself in an earthly happiness and it ultimately failed you? 

3. Where in your life has it been hard to find joy lately? What would it look like for the joy of the Lord to be your strength in this part of your life? 

because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philippians 1:5

Koinonia is one of the most meaningful words in Philippians. Further, we get many of our church practices from this word, fellowship. We sometimes think of fellowship as just coffee, conversation, or casual friendship, but Paul describes something much deeper. Koinonia means actively taking part in the life and mission of Jesus Christ, not just being loosely connected.

In Philippians 1:5, Paul thanks God for the church’s “partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” The believers in Philippi didn’t just watch Paul’s ministry from afar. They joined in. They got their hands dirty. They prayed, gave, encouraged, sacrificed, and shared the work of spreading the gospel with him. They committed to Christ’s kingdom growing. Paul saw their faithfulness as a real partnership. His victories belonged to them too, and their support gave him strength. Just like today, your partnership at Calvary is a great strength to those around you.

This is what makes biblical fellowship special. The church isn’t just a group of people with similar interests. It is a community united by a shared Savior and a common purpose. Koinonia means we show love, generosity, encouragement, and serve each other. Not when it’s convenient, but when it costs. We help carry each other’s burdens, work together, and celebrate together. It’s what makes Calvary special.

Paul takes the meaning even further in Philippians 3:10 when he talks about the “fellowship of his sufferings.” Here, koinonia means closely sharing in the life of Christ. Knowing Jesus isn’t just about receiving His blessings. It also means sharing in His sufferings and His humility, dying to ourselves, and finally, sharing in His resurrection life. Real fellowship brings us closer to Christ Himself.

The gospel invites us to do more than just show up. It calls us to take part. In Christ, we aren’t just watching from the sidelines. We are partners in the gospel and share in the life of our Savior. 

1. How does life in a community of believers (at Calvary specifically) display the Gospel? 

2. Healthy relationships, while selfless, are also reciprocal in nature. Reflect on your own involvement in the fellowship at Calvary. What has it looked like to both give and receive in this community? 

3. In what way have you experienced a deeper relationship with Christ through the fellowship you have with other believers? 

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:2

Paul opens his letter to the Philippians with gratitude. At the heart of his thankfulness is not just friendship, ministry, or shared experiences, but Christ Himself. Each verse in Philippians 1:3–11 reminds us that Jesus is the source, strength, and purpose of the Christian life. For us at Calvary, in your daily life, we desire to be “Christ-centered.”

Paul is confident that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (1:6) The Christian life is not just about our own efforts. God began the work of salvation, and through Christ, He promises to finish it. As Hebrews 12:2 says, “Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” Our hope rests not in our own consistency, but in Christ’s faithfulness.

Paul says he loves the Philippians with “the affection of Christ Jesus.” His care for others comes from Christ’s heart. Paul’s letter is centered on Christ; he uses the words “Christ” or “Jesus” 37 times. This shows that a true Christian community is united by Jesus.

Paul also prays that believers will be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” (1:11) Spiritual growth is not something we create on our own. It is the result of staying connected to the risen Lord. Think of John 15, where Jesus talks about the vine and the branches. Christ is both our foundation and the source of real change. 

Throughout Philippians, Paul keeps mentioning Christ Jesus because he wants us to know that every part of life finds meaning in Him. Our confidence, love, growth, and future all come from Christ.

The Christian life starts with Jesus, is sustained by Jesus, and will one day be completed in Jesus Christ. 

2. Read Hebrews 10:23-25. In your own words describe the hope you have in Christ. 

3. How have you seen Christ’s faithfulness in your life lately? 

4. Describe the link between Christ’s faithfulness, Christian community, and the hope we have in Christ. 

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11

When reading the word “righteousness” in Philippians, Paul teaches that righteousness goes deeper than just our actions. Instead of trying to prove ourselves to God, we are changed by God through Christ.

Early in the letter, Paul prays that believers would be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (1:11). Here, righteousness is pictured as fruit growing from a living relationship with Jesus. It is not forced behavior or religious performance. It is the visible evidence of a heart changed by grace. The life of Christ begins to shape our attitudes, desires, words, and actions. Love deepens. Discernment grows. Integrity becomes visible. This righteousness is not self-produced; it “comes through Jesus Christ.”

Later in Philippians, Paul talks about the kind of righteousness he used to rely on. In Philippians 3:6, he says that before he knew Christ, he was “blameless” when it came to following the law. Paul’s identity was based on his religious achievements, strict obedience, and outward morality. He looked righteous to everyone. But after meeting Christ, Paul understood that simply following rules could never give him the righteousness God wants.

This change in Paul’s life is meant to be our change too.

Many people still think that being righteous means looking good, staying in control, or proving their worth by what they do. We might believe that if we pray, serve, or avoid sin enough, God will accept us more. But Paul’s story shows us that trying to earn righteousness on our own always leaves us tired and empty.

The kind of righteousness that pleases God does not start on the outside. It is something Christ creates within us and then shows in our lives.

Being united with Jesus changes everything. The law could show us our problems but could not fix them. Christ not only forgives us, but also changes who we are. The gospel does not just help us act better; it makes us new people. We become ALIVE. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (1:6)

As we abide in Christ, the fruit of righteousness grows naturally in us. We do not do this for praise or to earn God’s love, but because Jesus is working in us.

This is the beauty of the Christian life. We do not have to work to be accepted. In Christ, we are already accepted, and from that place, real righteousness can grow.

1. Read Psalm 1. Make a list of what stands out in this psalm about the life of a righteous person? 

2. Reflect on your life lately and ponder: If your life was a tree, what source of life have you planted yourself next to? What is feeding your roots? What fruit is growing?  

3. Just like trees, we have seasons, but where we are planted and the life we absorb matter. What habits or practices in your life help you stay connected to Jesus and which habits or practices are drawing you away from him? 

4. What is one intentional practice you could add to your day to help you abide in Christ in your daily life?