Continuing on in Philippians, this introductory encouragement and prayer from Paul allows us to see his deep affection for this church in Gospel Partnership. For Paul this is not a side note, but instead forming Gospel Partnerships was a vital component to the life and ministry of Paul, and a type of partnership that we can learn much from for our lives today.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.