As Paul continues his letter to the church at Philippi, he addresses his own circumstances and the reality of life and death. He is not fearful of death, he welcomes it, if that is the Lord's plan for him, because he will be with Jesus. Paul offers the familiar verse, For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Our focus must also be on living our lives for Jesus, even as face the difficulties and trials of this life. As believers, we should have the right view of life and the way we live it and the right view of death.

Philippians is a wonderful letter of hopeful encouragement for believers who are struggling with their concern about Paul and his current circumstances, struggling with their thinking about several different issues including: assurance, perseverance, the gospel and mission, partnership, fellowship and unity, and joy. Paul offers specific theological foundations for right thinking about engaging one another in the church. This foundation begins with a right understanding of Jesus, who he is and what he came to accomplish. It is also built on a right approach to the gospel and gospel ministry. This church needs to understand the importance of working together for the advance of the gospel in the church and in their community.