Paul acquired a wealthy present from the Philippians, however by means of ten verses of discussing it with them, he doesn’t thank them for it. Why? To grasp his cause and the way he was capable of study contentment, we have to perceive patronage in Greco-Roman tradition.
Patronage – A Greco-Roman Cultural Norm
One of many central ideas upon which the Greco-Roman tradition was constructed was patronage. Social relationships have been about who you knew and who was obligated to who. A rich particular person would possibly develop into a patron of another person by offering a monetary present. A well-connected particular person would possibly develop into your patron by connecting you with somebody essential who may help you progress up in your social standing. By doing this, the recipient of the present or favor turns into a “consumer” to the patron, and whereas there isn’t a specific expectation of return, the consumer turns into obligated to indicate faithfulness to the patron.
The present the Philippians despatched to Paul was probably anticipated to position the three obligations of a consumer on Paul.
- First, it was etiquette to precise thankfulness to the benefactor. A failure to be grateful dangers gaining a popularity for being an ingrate—somebody who doesn’t appropriately specific thankfulness.
- Second, the consumer is obligated to honor the generosity of the patron by providing favors to assist them.
- Third, additionally it is anticipated that the consumer will elevate the standing of their patron by telling others of their advantage or praiseworthiness.
As a substitute of permitting their cultural assumptions to face, Paul redirects their expectations away from patronage to the Lord of whom each believer is a consumer. That is additionally the key to why he can say he’s content material.
Paul’s Patron
Paul doesn’t say he’s content material primarily as a result of he has all that he wants. His major rationalization is present in Philippians 4:13, the place he says, “I can do all issues…” He doesn’t say, “I’ve all issues,” “I can have all issues,” and even “Sooner or later I will have all issues.” The idea of possessions is absent from this verse completely. Paul’s focus is on what he does, “I can do all issues….” Biblical contentment shouldn’t be about what we’ve however due to what we are able to do.
We will see the roots of his place again in Philippians 3:12, “…I press on in order that I could lay maintain of that for which additionally I used to be laid maintain of by Christ Jesus.” Paul’s focus is on the aim for which Christ laid maintain of him. In Philippians 3:14, he continues, “I press on towards the objective for the prize of the upward name of God in Christ Jesus.” Once more, God’s name on his life determines the whole lot of his obligations.
On the subject of the Philippians, Paul is successfully saying that there’s already one to whom he’s obligated as a consumer. God has laid maintain upon him and bestowed grace or favor upon him. The duty this locations upon Paul supersedes any potential declare of different patrons. Paul’s nice patron strengthens him to do all issues.
What Paul Does Is the Supply of His Contentment
The primary of the obligations Paul owes to his patron is thanksgiving. Few practices are more practical in creating contentment than giving thanks. It takes our focus from what we don’t have and places it on what we do have. In Paul’s case, he isn’t centered on possessions however on the wealthy grace he has acquired in Christ, which supplies all his wants (Phil. 4:19). Paul’s wants will not be these listed in Maslow’s hierarchy of wants, however those who contribute to the aim for which God laid maintain of him in Christ. In different phrases, whatever the circumstances, Paul is assured that he has what he wants to satisfy his obligations to the patron and the Father who referred to as him.
Not solely is Paul capable of give thanks, however he’s additionally capable of do what is critical to honor his patron. He is ready to honor his patron whether or not in “humble means” or dwelling in abundance, whether or not “being crammed” or “going hungry,” and whether or not “having abundance” or “struggling want” (Phil. 4:12).
Lastly, Paul additionally seeks to boost the honour and specific the praiseworthiness of his patron, and no matter his circumstances, he’s in a position to do that.
These three duties are issues that Paul does, not issues that he has. Paul doesn’t see himself by means of the trendy lens of getting possessions in any respect. His worldview is oriented round this idea of whose he’s, who he’s obligated to, and the importance of his patron.
Studying from Paul
It’s a type of grace that causes Paul to say in Philippians 4:11 that he has “discovered to be content material.” If Paul might study contentment, so can also we!
There are two issues we have to ponder to develop in contentment. The primary is that Paul understood the greatness of his patron. Within the patronage system, the social significance of the patron elevates the social standing of the consumer. Paul acknowledged that you just can’t go increased in social standing than the creator and Lord of the universe—the one in opposition to whom all social standing is finally evaluated.
Second, we have to ponder the greatness of the present our patron has given us. As enemies of God, we deserve destruction. However God gave His personal Son to develop into a human. God joined us to Christ, who suffered destruction in our place and made us partakers of the honour, standing, wealth, energy, and majesty that rightly belongs to His Son! There is no such thing as a better favor any earthly patron might do. That is unfathomable grace.
If we’re to develop into content material, we have to perceive the greatness of our patron and the greatness of the present He has given. Therefore, we are able to study to be content material by focusing our minds and hearts on studying in regards to the nature and greatness of our patron and the greatness of His present to us. Like Paul, we are able to study contentment and deal with doing all issues our patron obligates us to with pleasure.
Questions for Reflection
- If God is your patron and also you lived in Greco-Roman occasions, would you be thought-about a grateful consumer or an ungrateful one based mostly in your present practices of thanksgiving? Begin a every day apply of discovering expressions of the grace of God you could give thanks for no matter your circumstances.
- How does your personal coronary heart undermine thanksgiving? What ideas or needs distract or hinder your thanksgiving?
- In what methods do you take into account God worthy of your honor? How do you specific this honor?
- How do passages akin to Ezekiel 36:27 provide help to perceive “by means of Him who strengthens me” in Philippians 4:13?
