Section 9
"in me" include the meaning of "through me," but are not limited to this meaning. During the time of Paul's imprisonment, Gentile believers, like those in Philippi, were boasting in Paul. Their boasting, rejoicing, glorying was not in the Ju daistic preachers; it was in the Apostle Paul. They could boast in Paul because he magnified Christ and lived Christ to the uttermost. Because Paul lived Christ and magnified Him in this way, he could transfuse Christ into the saints and min ister Christ to all the churches. Therefore, the saints had reason to boast in such an apostle. If Paul had died prematurely, their boasting in him would have been cut short. But as long as Paul continued to live, they were able to boast in him in Christ. Hence, in verses 25 and 26 Paul said that he was confident that he would remain and continue with the saints for their progress and joy of the faith so that their boasting could abound in Christ Jesus in him through his pres ence with them again.
CHANNELS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF CHRIST
In these verses we see the very crucial point that in the Body life there is the urgent need of certain ones to function as channels of supply.