The Most Joyous Man in Rome

Consider the apostle Paul sitting in a prison—the most joyous man in Rome. How could this be? Ancient Rome was a consumerist wonderland filled with games, immoral sexuality, lavish parties, a theater, and much more, yet Paul had a joy a thousand times better. He writes a prayer of thanksgiving "with joy" (verse 4). This is the first mention of joy in Philippians, but it resounds through this section and throughout the book. That is a lot of joy! How could the most joyous man in Rome be in jail? Joy is found in Christ, not in a trouble-free life or in a life filled merely with things.