The Pursuit of Happiness Daily Devotional -4

PHILIPPIANS 1:5 | ⁵ because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.

“Partnership” is a flexible English word, describing a close cooperating relationship in the realms of business, sport, education, politics, or private life. Here it refers to a specific type of spiritual friendship. Ancient friendships were divided in three by Aristotle. Some friendships are based on enjoyment of some interest or activity, the society of those “agreeable to us.” Other friendships are utilitarian, based on need. Finally, there are friendships of loyalty, genuine goodwill, and deep trust: friendship between virtuous people. The latter were nearly “contractual,” encompassing not only affection and fidelity, but reciprocity, the giving and receiving of benefits. True friendships meant any enemies of one were automatically enemies for the other.

Paul and the Philippians worked together to advance the gospel, suffered together, and rather unusually for the apostle, they made material contributions to his work. With other churches, he was proud to be an independent tent maker, but he took gifts from Philippi, because his friendships there were so intimate.

How do you define true friendship?

See how Paul praised Philippians to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.

Tags: friendship, corinthians