By Ashley Hines Piner
Handwritten notes have always held a special place in my heart. I cherish cards, treasuring the unique handwriting and signatures of loved ones. My husband and I often leave little notes for each other, and I write messages for our kids, whether tucked into their lunchboxes or written on our storm door. To me, taking the time to handwrite a note or letter for someone is an act of love.
I fondly remember attending church camp in the mountains in middle and high school. At the end of each week, we exchange addresses with new friends and promise to stay in touch. In the 1900s, we would handwrite letters, address the envelope, add stamps, and send our words to those we loved. I eagerly checked the mail, hoping to receive a letter from one of my camp friends. Those letters were filled with memories of our wonderful time together, words of encouragement, and hopes of reuniting at camp the following year, if not sooner. I am reminded of those letters as I read the book of Philippians.
I can only imagine the range of emotions that the church at Philippi felt, when receiving correspondence from Paul even though he was imprisoned. Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi declares how much they meant to him. At this time, the church needed encouragement. The city of Philippi was a Roman colony, and devotion to the emperor was central to Roman life. The church faced persecution for refusing to worship the Roman emperor. While imprisoned in Rome, Paul heard about what was happening to the church. He wrote a letter not only as an expression of friendship but also as a source of encouragement—a kind of encouragement that can only be found through the strength of the Lord.
The book of Philippians covers the themes of unity, humility, joy, endurance, and relationship. The theme that speaks to me the most is relationship-koinonia. "Koinonia" is a Greek term often translated as "fellowship.” It captures the deep, spiritual community and connection shared among believers, rooted in their common faith in Christ. It goes beyond mere friendship or casual association and involves mutual sharing, unity, and partnership.
The following verses talk about koinonia in the book of Philippians (NIV):
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3–5)
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. (Philippians 1:7)
Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Philippians 2:1–2)
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only.
Paul writes to the church about their partnership in the gospel. When we become believers, we are no longer alone. We not only have a relationship with God, but we are also brought into a family of believers. Through his letter, Paul lets the church know that he is thankful for that partnership and that they will continue advancing the gospel. Paul shares remembrance, thanksgiving, and praise even through hardship and suffering because of Jesus Christ.
We are not meant to live life alone; we should walk alongside other believers. Paul sets the standard for what true Christian fellowship should look like. Those relationships should not be superficial but rooted in the gospel. God has given us the gift of life-giving relationships with others. We do not have to walk alone in our suffering or in the work that God has called us to do. Draw near to the people around you, hold them close, pray for them, and spend time with them. If you do not feel that you have these types of relationships at this time, I urge you to look into joining a small group or Sunday School class.
As we deepen our relationships with others, we need to remember them in prayer as Paul did. We can pray prayers of thanksgiving. Paul begins his letter by thanking God for “every remembrance.” Even while Paul is in prison facing his own struggles, he remembers the Philippians in every prayer. While prayers of thanksgiving are important, Paul also models prayers of intercession, which are prayers on behalf of another person. We should pray for love, knowledge, and discernment for those in our lives. He prays that their love is evident in how they treat each other. Everyone needs prayers such as these lifted on their behalf.
APPLICATION: Today or in the upcoming days, I would like you to construct a handwritten letter for someone. Let me know that you are praying for them; you may be standing in the gap for a situation no one knows about. Send words of encouragement. Write a verse that reminds you of them. Remind them that, as believers, you are joined with Christ through faith and by His grace. Be sure the letter is delivered; it will touch the life of someone you love.
PRAYER: Lord, Thank You first and foremost for salvation. Thank You for the gift of friendship. You want us to encourage and support each other. Help us to live in a way that shows love to others. Please help us to foster those relationships and pursue the things that will glorify You. Guard our hearts and minds and thank You for Your love and grace. In Jesus’ holy name we pray, Amen.
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