In his letter to the Philippians, Paul clearly showed his respect for and confidence in this fine congregation. They were faithful, loving and active in the work of the Lord. There are few notes of admonition in his letter. His primary intent is to thank them for their fellowship and love.
However, he makes an interesting statement in the first verse of the third chapter. “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.” While there was no need for him to admonish them, there was a need for him to warn them again about things he had already addressed. In doing so, he contributed to their safety – “but for you it is safe.”
He told them to beware of dogs, evil workers, the mutilation. These designations probably all refer to the Judaizing teachers who were constantly seeking to undermine Paul’s authority and teaching. Their efforts were somewhat successful, as Paul told the churches of Galatia, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). This perversion to which Paul here refers is the teaching of the Judaizers, which had found some fertile soil in the hearts of the Christians in Galatia.
Paul did not want the Philippians to fall under the thrall of the Judaizers, so he repeated to them his warnings about those false teachers. They had already heard him speak of these evil men, possibly on several occasions. Yet, Paul did not find it “tedious” to continue to warn them. He understood the importance of repetition to drive home the dangers of doctrinal error.
The question is, did the Philippians find it tedious? I trust not, though there is no record of their response to Paul’s repeated warnings.
The intent of presenting this point is to cause us to think about our own response to warnings, and doctrinal preaching. Do we find it tedious when a preacher brings another lesson on authority? Another lesson on some doctrinal error like instrumental music in the assembly, misconceptions regarding the work of the Holy Spirit, or Calvinism? Another lesson on the work of the church? Another lesson on marriage, divorce and remarriage? What about another lesson on some foundational issue like baptism, faith, repentance, or the resurrection?
Hopefully, no preacher will find it tedious to cover old ground from time to time. There is a need. As Paul said in his work, “but for you it is safe.” There are some preachers not worth their salt, desiring to scratch itching ears, (cf. 2 Timothy 4:3), who neglect to teach what is needed. Their intent is to please their hearers, not tell them what they need to know. That is not the work of preaching. The purpose of every preacher is to bring all to safety.
The greater danger is for the hearer to find such teaching tedious; to be resentful of being told again what they already know; to be constantly told to “Beware!”; to be reminded of sin, danger and apostasy.
Next time you hear a preacher repeat himself yet again on a theme you have heard many times before, please be patient. Remember that there are others who may have not heard it before. Remember that some are babes in Christ, and are in need of repetition to establish the important truths of scripture that you may now know well. And finally, remember, “but [even] for you it is safe.”
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