Figurative Language

    Metaphors/Figurative language:
"among whom you appear as lights in the world"
"But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrafice and service of your faith"
"whose god is their appetite"
"who set their minds on earthly things"
"taking the form of a bond servant"
"fruit of righteousness"

The language Paul uses in his letter to the Philippian Church does contain some figurative images and phrases. For instance he uses the phrase "Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision." This phrase highlights all the corrupt people and ideas that have been circulating around the church at this time. It serves as a warning from a friend of this church. One's perception of the meaning of this letter to the church might change from a shallow letter of trying to get a gift from the church to a letter of real concern for the well being of the church because it is a part of the Body of Christ. Paul considers these people brothers in his faith because they share the same passion for the gospel. This point is further reinstated when Paul tells the church he wants to send Timothy to them. "But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father." This metaphor "like a child serving his father" is a crucial point to understand. One's perception could change from thinking that this letter is a far-fetched demand of the church, to a plea for its benefit and the benefit to others. Children don't do work for their father's because they have to, they work for their fathers to please them, and because they know a noble cause is the underlying motivation. Paul uses the figurative phrase "the cause of Christ" when referring to his imprisonment. One needs to understand that seemingly bad things happen to good people because most of the time the good people want the "bad" things to happen to them. Paul is not angry with God or the church for putting this on him, he rejoices in this bad circumstance because it was a great thing. His will and God's will were lined up and because of that, the gospel was preached and boldness was given to the brethren who were also spreading the gospel.