As Paul continues his letter to the church at Philippi, he addresses what would give him great joy. First, Paul offers four stabalizing truths that are intended to ground the believers in Philippi and motivate them to love one another. These truths: the comfort of Christ, the love of God, the fellowship of the Spirit and the compassionate mercy of God toward us must stabalize us and motivate us to joyfully and lovingly engage one another. Paul calls the believers to right thinking about one another and to respond the right way. Our right and appropraite, loving responses to one another honors Jesus and points others to him as the answer for their own struggles. 

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.