Introduction

Last week we discussed Paul’s consuming desire for the furtherance of the Gospel. It is a key element of this letter to the Philippians. Where does Paul get his passion from? It is from the relationship he has with the Lord Jesus Christ! Paul uses several prepositions to express that relationship and the relationship we can have with the Lord.

A preposition is a word that shows relationships.

Paul uses the following prepositions in this letter: in, from, of, with, for, unto, through, and by to show a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. There are over forty prepositional phrases like these: of Jesus Christ, in Christ Jesus, from the Lord Jesus Christ, of Jesus Christ, with Christ, through Christ, and by Christ. Forty such phrases in just four chapters! Paul has such a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ that he can hardly write a sentence without saying something about Him! He sees even his bonds as being ‘in Christ.’ He sees everything as being in, from, of, with, for, unto, through, and by Christ. I encourage you to read through Philippians and meditate on these phrases and how they are used.

Of – ‘Of’ often indicates the source or cause or origin of something.

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Here is an example of the use of the preposition 'of'. Paul says that he is ‘apprehended of Christ Jesus’. This means that Jesus has apprehended him. Paul used this word in 2 Corinthians 11:32 when he told about the time when he was in Damascus, and the governor tried to apprehend Paul. The governor wanted to seize Paul. Jesus has captured, grasped, seized, possessed Paul. Paul desires to capture, grasp, seize, possess that for which Jesus has called him. Jesus is the source. He is the cause!

When we read these prepositional phrases, we must put ourselves in there. Paul didn’t write this just to talk about himself. Does God possess you? Has He apprehended you? Are you desirous of apprehending and grasping unto that for which God has called you?

Often, we read the Bible too fast. We should slow down and meditate even on prepositions. They are there for a reason.

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry