Section 4
Notice what Paul says in verse 19: "For I know that for me this shall turn out to salvation through your petition and the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." Do not take this verse for granted. Rather, consider what is the signi ficance of the expression "your petition." Many readers may think that this refers only to the prayers of the saints who had a loving concern for Paul. It is correct to say that here Paul is refer ring to the prayers of the saints on his behalf. Paul's word, however, implies much more than this. To understand the full significance of this phrase, we need to consider it in the light of verse 7, where Paul tells the saints that in the defense and confirmation of the gospel they are partakers of his grace. If we join verses 7 and 19 we shall see that the phrase "your petition" indi cates the supply of the Body. Apparently Paul was in prison; actually he was in the Body. Impris onment did not isolate him from the Body or cut him off from the supply of the Body. Paul had the clear sense within that he was in the Body and that the members of the Body were supplying him, supporting him, and standing with him.
It is worthy of note that in Philippians 1:19 Paul speaks first of the saints' petition, then of the bountiful supply of the Spirit. Why does he