Paul has spoken about what to avoid, now he comes back to the things that should be added: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. That's a good start, anyway. If we are citizens of the Kingdom of the Prince of Peace, then imitating him is what we work at making second nature.

Paul has talked about departing the union of the Law, now he comes back to the union that exists in its place: Christ. In Christ, there is no racial or national division, all are brought together under that new reality. It the Kingdom of Jesus, unity brings about shared lives that set aside a scheming plan to get everything for yourself and is replaced with love of neighbor.

Paul is making some pretty radial statements for someone who used to tow the line as a Pharisee. Upending the rigid rules surrounding festivals and Sabbaths in lieu of the better future in Christ is truly an indication of where Paul has come. If Christ is the King of Kings, the ruler over every authority, then anything else really is a shadow.

Paul places the church at an interesting intersection: the mystery that is Christ has been hidden for ages, but now becomes revealed to this people. That's pretty exciting. Not only is Christ with his people, the Spirit moving them; also the hope of glory has come.

Bartholomew is an apostle about whom very little is known. Some traditions say that he carried the Gospel to India, but that is not documented in the Bible. Perhaps many of us might actually take a little joy in his mostly unknown story: even those of us who may not be all-stars like Peter and Paul still have a place in God's story.

Paul closes with a call to peace and harmony, also acknowledging how difficult that can be. Taking care of one another, from practical needs to the finer points of forgiveness, is one of the defining characteristics of life in the Kingdom of Jesus, and should define us as well.

"We are the circumcision." Paul is talking about belonging here. The Jewish people circumcised their infants to show that they were part of their community, but now there is a new way of doing things. Christ has formed his community to belong to one another, and the Spirit that bonds it together is stronger than any mark of the flesh.

Paul, writing from prison, continue some pretty specific admonition for the church in Philippi. Pastors like Timothy and caregivers like Epaphroditus were critical to Paul's mission and had connections to the young church which would have probably felt like family. We all need people like that: spiritual sons and daughter, fathers and mothers.

We worship Jesus, and we seek to be more like him. This gives us an insight into loving others that is unique. It also brings us closer to the heart of God, which is another point of worship.

It takes a special kind of faith to remain faithful in hard times, and that defines Paul. This book of the Bible was a prison letter written by the apostle after haing been arrested, and his faith in God to keep the church alive and well is obvious. Even more than that, Paul is willing to offer himself up to advance the Gospel if necessary.