To be a partaker with someone is to be a companion and to be identified with him because you are in agreement with him. People have no problem being identified as partakers with one who is doing well, because then they can have a share in the accolades of that person. But will they be willing to be partakers with one who is in prison, for example? Being identified as partakers with a prisoner may bring us the danger of being thrown into prison or being persecuted. This is the context of Philippians 1:7-8: a time of persecution. Paul was writing from prison to the Philippian believers.

• Partakers in common grace (Phil 1:7)

This grace that Paul spoke of is salvation grace. As fellow believers in Christ, Paul identified with the Philippian brethren as having received the same grace. It is wonderful to be partakers in this common salvation grace.

• Partakers in common persecution (Phil 1:7)

As Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this epistle, will we dare to be associated with him? He was being persecuted by the authorities for his faith. Are we willing to suffer similarly? When a decision needs to be made on spiritual or doctrinal matters, we cannot sit on the fence. We are either for Christ or we are against Him. There is no neutral position. We must be prepared to face persecutions for our faith. It is easy to be partakers in times of peace. Will we continue to be partakers in times of persecutions and sufferings?

• Partakers in common longing (Phil 1:8)

Paul did not call out his partakers out of hatred or with malicious intentions of wanting his brethren to be persecuted along with him. He loved the Philippian Christians dearly and longed to be with them. Do we long to be with Christ? Do we have a longing for God’s people, desiring to be in their fellowship? Paul identified with the Philippian believers. He prepared them for persecution that was coming. Paul did it out of love and a longing for them, desiring for their spiritual well-being.