PS stands for postscript. It comes from the Latin postscriptum, which literally means “written after.” A postscript is an additional thought added to letters and that comes after it has been completed. In the days of handwritten and typed letters, we often found ourselves remembering something we wanted to include only after we’d signed off. That’s where a PS came in handy. It’s also often used for effect to add a clever or funny afterthought. It can be added for emphasis, or even as an argumentative “So there!” It’s a tool still used by some. And sometimes it’s the most charming part of a letter. It’s the wink you give as you walk away.
The NIV says in vs. 14 “It was good of you to share in my troubles.” But what is shared? They didn’t just give their stuff. They didn’t simply offer encouragement. They gave of themselves in the dire places. They sent people like Epaphroditus all the way to be with Paul. They understood that partnership is all about the preposition. The writer Kathy Escobar argues that our ability to partner, to treat others well and to live as Jesus did and as Paul encourages, has everything to do with the preposition that informs our life. Which preposition will you choose: to, for, or with?
The Preposition “To” is Paternal and Often Creates Oppression
In many Christian circles, the most prevalent preposition has become the word “to.” The style of the preposition “to” is paternal and based upon power. It’s built on statements like:
“I have something I need to give to you.”
“I have wisdom I need to impart to you.”
“Here’s the advice, life-changing knowledge I have to offer you.”
The problem with the preposition ”to” is that it begins with an unequal relationship which claims superiority – an “I’m up and you’re down”; “I know and you don’t” perspective of power that is patronizing and disempowering. This posture often ends up making the one on the receiving end feel like a project or unable to contribute, inform or help engage their own challenges. It also falsely imagines that the helper doesn’t struggle as well. Notice that Paul will be at pains to argue that while he values and celebrates the partnership of the Philippians he still maintains his own agency. When you use the preposition “to” you are not partnering or sharing – you are telling.
The Preposition “For” Often Creates Codependence
The preposition “for” is another easy reflex for most of us. The style of the preposition “for” exposes itself when we want to always do things for a hurting person.
“Let me makes these calls for you.”
“I don’t want you to hurt, so let me fix this for you.”
“Your anxiety is giving me anxiety, so let me take care of this anxiety for you.”
The problem with this kind of approach to others is that it creates codependence. Helpers get sucked into helping and end up often frustrated by those who remain untroubled or refuse to take responsibility. This preposition creates a one-way relationship where all we become are givers rather than as Paul speaks of the Philippians - true partners who both give and receive (vs. 15).
The Preposition “With” is Incarnational and Creates Transformation
The preposition “with”, however, changes everything. This is the preposition which rightly understands Paul’s thankfulness for the Philippian church:
“I am with you in this moment, will stand alongside you, and am not walking ahead of you but alongside you.”
“I am in the same boat; I struggle, too, but my struggle may just look different.”
“I want to share life with you. Let’s learn from and take care of each other.”
“With” removes imbalanced power from the relationship and recognizes that we both have needs of love, help, respect, and autonomy. It recognizes the fundamental dignity of people as agents of God and participants in the gospel. It begins with listening for the deeper story that informs the suffering and the looks to the person behind the need. It waits patiently for the person to ask for help, because sometimes people aren’t ready for help–sometimes people just need people to sit “with” as they deal with their struggles.
“With” is the redemptive word of the incarnation and reflects how God addresses suffering and need – by sharing it before fixing it. Covenant Pastor Jose Humphreys once shared being approached by a woman who said to him, “I don't want you to just be an ally; I want you to be an accomplice as well.” Allies will cheer but accomplices will show up and get in the trenches. Allies will offer advice and accomplices will share suffering and sorrow for better or worse. So the preposition you actually live by will be demonstrated by how you respond when troubles and hardship come.
In vs. 16-19 Paul will praise the Philippians for their generosity but like any word that it’s easy to use I think it’s important to nail down what Paul is and isn’t saying.
First, Paul asserts, it’s not about gifts but givers. While Paul will acknowledge the financial help of the Philippians he doesn’t talk much about the gift. They shared themselves.
Second, Paul reveals, it’s not about amounts but faithfulness. Paul will also never divulge the amount of the gift but wishes to praise the faithfulness of the Philippians which started strong and continued “more than once,” he says.
Paul goes on to laud the Philippians in vs. 18 using an image from the Old Testament laws concerning sacrifices. Over and over the biblical regulations for offering sacrifices in the Temple speak of those sacrifices in the language Paul uses here: a beautiful smell, a worthy offering, giving pleasure to God.” Paul would, of course, also agree with the Psalmist: God doesn’t really smell the aroma that a burning sacrifice gives off and isn’t impressed by those who are going through the motions (see Psalm 50:7-15). What really gladdens God’s heart is the generous spirit which proceeds from love and trust.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the air lately. Friends across the U.S. keep asking about air quality or some of you have been posting pictures of your air filters. What’s in the air? Well, I’m less worried about the smoke and more worried about the increased particles of hate, lies, conspiracy theories, belligerence, even voices chanting for the death of others. We are choking on hate. We can’t stop the smoke. But we can help people breathe. We can fill the air with generosity by giving of ourselves faithfully. We can douse the flames of hatred that threaten people’s lives. What would it smell like, look like to purify the air with generosity?
A powerful point about such imagery is that Paul’s language of the Philippians generosity to him as actually a sacrifice to God echoes one of the most important teachings of Jesus himself – that whatever is done for the servant is in reality done for the Master; that whatever is given to a child of God is given to God himself (Matt. 25:31-40). And vs. 19 states that the church’s generosity even comes from God in the end.
But Paul wants to leave the Philippians with more than a feeling of thankfulness. He wants to wink and walk away by surprising them with grace from a most unlikely place. The exact expression Paul uses is “the household of Caesar.”
This was most likely written when Nero was emperor. Nero – yes, that fiddle-loving, Rome-burning, mother-killing, Christian persecuting, emperor. Greetings and grace come from his house! Since there is no evidence that members of the Imperial family had converted this most likely refers to soldiers stationed there or slaves handling domestic affairs of the emperor but it doesn’t matter. Grace has infiltrated!
Of all the places where one should not have received Christian greetings, places filled with idolatry and anti-Christian behavior, it would have been Caesar household. I’ve spent a lot of my life ardently declaring where God could not be found, who God would not befriend, only to discover – Oops! Well, God was there too. What for you is Caesar’s household? Where can you not imagine finding Christians?
This is not an endorsement of what goes on in Caesar’s house. It’s not saying that we applaud all that Caesar does. It does not mean that we don’t speak truth to power with compassion. It does, however, remind us that God doesn’t need your approval to infiltrate with grace. It means that your hope is not dependent on what you imagine is happening or can see but on the God who will surprise you even in ungodly places. It means, friends, that perhaps grace is more infectious than Covid, more change-making than violence, more present than smoke is in the air. So you can partner with others – even in suffering, and you can be generous. Can you smell that? The air is changing. Amen.
