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And in the same way also you be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:18)

Paul ends this section on a note of rejoicing. Because they were co-laborers with Paul, they should also join in his joy and rejoicing. We often rejoice over the wrong things in life. We should find our joy in the fact that Christ died for us – he willingly shed his blood to provide for our salvation. We should rejoice over the fact that we are allowed to serve him. We need to rejoice in the success of fellow believers – not feel the need to compete with them.

Once more, as we have marked earlier in this chapter (verse 5) when one has the mind of Christ, then believers will not (1) assert their own virtues; (2) defend their own rights; (3) promote their own selfish issues; or (4) live for themselves.^[1] Our minds, like his, should be of humble self-denial of rights, obedient service to God, and a lack of self-seeking ambition. And if this is true, we will be light-reflectors to a sin-darkened world.

Looking back at verses 17–18, we find an unforgettable image of the joy Paul experienced during his imprisonment and, all the while, attempting to teach in the Philippians. We also discover much about the closeness of Christians, with their compassion and fellow-feeling, which is the hallmark of the letter. Paul encourages his readers to imitate him and his attitude in rejoicing and finding joy in the face of persecution, even to the point of death. Paul finds much joy in suffering for the cause of Christ. Christ had set the example for Paul to follow “by becoming obedient to the point of death.” (Phil. 2:8) We, too, may find joy under difficult times if our focus is on serving God and others, not being self-serving.

[1] Jerry Falwell, Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, , Liberty Bible Commentary, ed. Jerry Falwell, Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers, 1983). Page 2438