"THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To appreciate why the Philippians were a source of great joy to Paul
2) To learn from Paul's attitude concerning persecution, death, and the
purpose of life
SUMMARY
Paul begins his epistle with his customary salutation followed by an
expression of thanksgiving and prayer. The church at Philippi had been
a source of great joy to Paul by virtue of their fellowship with him in
the proclamation of the gospel. Confident that God will complete the
work He began in them, Paul prays that their spiritual growth will
continue (1-11).
His circumstances at Rome have actually been for the furtherance of the
gospel, despite imprisonment and opposition by false brethren. He is
confident that everything will turn out alright, and that he will even
come to them again. It is not without mixed feelings, however, for he
is torn between a desire to be with Christ and a realization that to
remain in the flesh is more needful for them (12-26).
At the moment, his desire is that whether absent or present he may hear
they are conducting themselves worthy of the gospel, by standing fast
in one spirit and one mind for the gospel and not disturbed by any
adversaries. They should take comfort in knowing that, like Paul, they
have been granted the honor not only to believe in Christ, but also to
suffer for His sake (27-30).
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (1-11)
A. SALUTATION (1-2)
1. From Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ (1a)
2. To the saints in Christ Jesus who in Philippi, with the
bishops and deacons (1b)
3. Grace and peace from God and Jesus Christ (2)
B. PAUL'S THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (3-11)
1. His thanksgiving for them (3-8)
a. That every thought, every request in their behalf, is one
of joy (3-4)
b. For their fellowship in the gospel from the very first day
(5)
c. He is confident that God will complete the work begun in
them, for they have shared with him in his chains and the
proclamation of the gospel (6-7)
d. God is his witness to how much he longs for them with the
love of Jesus (8)
2. His prayer for them (9-11)
a. That their love abound in knowledge and all discernment (9)
b. That they approve the things that are excellent (10a)
c. That they be sincere and without offense till Christ
returns (10b)
d. That they be filled with the fruits of righteousness (11)
1) Made possible by Jesus Christ (11a)
2) To the glory and praise of God (11b)
II. THE SITUATION IN ROME (11-26)
A. PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT AND OPPOSITION (12-18)
1. Imprisonment has actually created opportunities to spread the
gospel (12-14)
a. Things have turned out to the furtherance of the gospel,
for even among the palace guard it is evident his chains
are in Christ (12-13)
b. His example has emboldened others to speak without fear
(14)
2. Even opposition has provided opportunity for Christ to be
preached (15-18)
a. While some preach Christ out of love and good will, others
do so with envy and strife, hoping to make things harder
for Paul (15-17)
b. Yet Paul rejoices that in every way Christ is preached (18)
B. PAUL'S EXPECTATION OF DELIVERANCE (19-26)
1. He knows all will turn out well for his salvation (19-20)
a. Through their prayers and the help of the Holy Spirit (19)
b. He is confident that no matter what happens, Christ will be
magnified (20)
2. Whether he lives or dies, it will be a blessing (21-23)
a. To live is Christ, to die is gain (21)
b. To live will mean fruitful labor, but to depart and be with
Christ will be far better for him personally (22-23)
3. Knowing their need of him at the present, he is confident of
coming to them once again (24-26)
III. EXHORTATION TO STAND FAST (27-30)
A. STRIVE TOGETHER FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL (27)
1. He pleads that their conduct be worthy of the gospel (27a)
2. So that whether present or absent, he may hear that they are
standing fast in one spirit, united in their efforts for the
faith of the gospel (27b)
B. DO NOT BE TERRIFIED BY YOUR ADVERSARIES (28-30)
1. For such confidence is not a sign of perdition, but of
salvation from God (28)
2. They have been granted not only to believe in Jesus, but also
to suffer for Him even as he does (29-30)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Introduction (1-11)
- The situation in Rome (12-26)
- Exhortation to stand fast (27-30)
2) Who joins Paul in addressing this epistle? To whom is it sent? (1)
- Timothy
- The saints in Christ Jesus in Philippi, with the bishops and
deacons
3) For what is Paul thankful concerning the Philippians? (5)
- For their fellowship in the gospel
4) What is Paul confident of concerning the Philippians? (6)
- That God will complete the work begun in them until the day of
Jesus Christ
5) Upon what basis did Paul have this confidence concerning the
Philippians? (7)
- Their participiation with Paul in both his chains and in the
proclamation of the gospel
6) What four things did Paul pray for in behalf of the Philippians?
(9-11)
- That their love might abound in knowledge and discernment
- That they might approve the things that are excellent
- That they might be sincere and without offense till the day of
Christ
- That they might be filled with the fruits of righteousness which
are by Jesus Christ
7) What was the effect of Paul's imprisonment? (12)
- It actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel
8) What was Paul's attitude about those preaching Christ out of envy
and strife, trying to do him harm? (15-18)
- Christ was still being preached, and in that Paul rejoiced
9) What was Paul's earnest desire and expectation that he could do with
all boldness? (20)
- To magnify Christ in his body, whether by life or by death
10) What was Paul's attitude toward life and death? (21)
- To live is Christ, and to die is gain
11) Between what two things was Paul hard pressed? (23-24)
- A desire to depart and be with Christ
- A realization that to remain in the flesh was more needful for
them
12) What sort of conduct did Paul consider worthy of the gospel of
Christ? (27)
- Standing fast in one spirit, with one mind stringing together for
the faith of the gospel
13) What had been granted to the Philippians on behalf of Christ? (29)
- Not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake
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