Ralph Porter
© 2003
AUTHOR AND DATE
External and internal testimony combine to give strong evidence for Pauline
authorship.
The letter was written during Paul's Roman imprisonment in about A.D. 60.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The church at Philippi was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey.
It was the first church founded in Macedonia following Paul's vision to go
there and
help them.
From the beginning, the churches in that region suffered persecution on account
of their
faith.
The church appears to be doctrinally sound since no corrections are included.
They were a generous church, noted for their support of Paul and other brethren
in
need.
Paul has much praise for their positive characteristics.
Nevertheless, two problems are revealed in the letter:
First, they are discouraged.
Times are hard.
They are suffering.
Their leader is in jail.
Their messenger to Paul is sick.
Everything seems to be going wrong.
The second problem revealed is division.
There is a personal conflict between two women in the church.
The larger problem of Judaistic divisions, between Judaizers and Gentiles,
are
evident here as in other areas where Paul has ministered.
PURPOSE AND THEME
The two problems indicate the two major purposes of the letter:
1.
Due to their discouragement, Paul wants to encourage them in the midst
of their
affliction.
Therefore he writes concerning joy.
2.
Due to their division, Paul wants to resolve the conflicts between the
brethren.
Therefore he emphasizes unity.
What are the lessons this letter teaches us about living in the midst of
difficult
circumstances today?
How should we deal with discouragement? See any solutions?
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS!
Ralph Porter
|
Prayer for Them
1:1-11 |
Report concerning Imprisonment
|
Exhortation to Unity
|
Report concerning Their Ministers 2:19-30 |
Instruction concerning True Spirituality 3:1-21 |
Specific Exhortations
4:1-9 |
Thanksgiving for Their Gift
|
|
Greeting 1:1-2
1:3-11
giving 1:3-8 For the memories 1:3-4 For their fellowship 1:5 Because of God's continuing work in them 1:6 Because of his love for them 1:7-8
that their love might grow 1:9-11 Sphere of deve- lopment 1:9 Purpose of deve- lopment 1:10 Cause of deve- lopment 1:11
|
Advance of the gospel 1:12-14
Paul in prison 1:12-13
others outside of prison 1:14
among the preachers 1:15-18
attitude 1:15-17
attitude 1:18
of Paul 1:19-26
salvation 1:19
salvation 1:20-26
|
Conduct yourselves worthily of the gospel 1:27-30
one mind 2:1-4
for unity 2:1
of unity 2:2-4
Christ thought 2:5-11
2:12-13
everything without complaining 2:14-18
|
Timothy 2:19-23
2:24
ditus 2:25-30
|
Warning against Judaizers 3:1-2
istics of true spirituality 3:3
not to trust the flesh 3:4-6
concerning accomplish- ments 3:7-21
3:7-9
goals 3:10-11
progress 3:12-14
exhortation 3:15-21
|
Stand firm 4:1
one mind 4:2-3
the Lord 4:4
cious to all men 4:5
for nothing 4:6-7
4:8
properly 4:9
|
Thanksgiving for their gift 4:10-19
gratitude 4:10
attitude 4:11-13
thanks 4:14-19 For the gift 4:14 For the support 4:15-16 His desire for them 4:17 His satisfaction 4:18 God's reward 4:19
4:20-23
God's glory 4:20
4:21-22
4:23
|
Ralph Porter
If I were to ask you to select
the church in the New Testament that you would most like to pastor, which church
would you choose?
The great majority of the time, when I ask that question, people respond: Philippians!
It was a great church!
It had lots of positive traits!
Only two problems: they were discouraged and divided!
Would you like to lead a church like that?
Let's look at what Paul has to say to them.
AUTHOR AND DATE
External and internal testimony combine to give strong evidence for Pauline authorship.
The letter was written during Paul's Roman imprisonment in about A.D. 60.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The church at Philippi was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey.
It was the first church founded in Macedonia following Paul's vision to go there and
help them.
From the beginning the churches in that region suffered persecution on account of
their faith.
The church appears to be doctrinally sound since no corrections are included.
They were a generous church, noted for their support of Paul and other brethren in
need.
Paul has much praise for their positive characteristics.
This is an ideal church!
Nevertheless, two problems are revealed in the letter:
First, they are discouraged.
Times are hard.
They're suffering.
Their leader is in jail.
Their messenger to Paul is sick.
Everything seems to be going wrong.
Second, they are divided.
There is a personal conflict between two women in the church.
The larger problem of Judaistic divisions, between Judaizers and Gentiles, is
evident
here as in other places where Paul has ministered.
PURPOSE AND THEME
The two problems indicate the
two major purposes of the letter:
1.
Concerning the problem of discouragement, Paul writes to
encourage them
in
the midst of their affliction.
Therefore he emphasizes
joy.
2.
Concerning the problem of divisions, Paul writes to
resolve the conflicts
between the brethren.
Therefore he emphasizes
unity.
ORGANIZATION
The content of Philippians follows more closely the format of a personal letter than most
books.
It contains nine main sections:
Paul's greeting follows the normal three-part format, with general references to the
author, recipients, and his personal greeting to them.
After his customary greeting, Paul shares his specific prayer for them.
THANKSGIVING
1:3-8
When he remembers them, Paul thanks God for the memories he has of them, and for
the fellowship they have enjoyed together (1:3-5).
For the memories
1:3-4
For their fellowship
1:5
Paul praises God, because he's certain that God is going to continue to do the work
in
them that He has obviously begun (1:6-8).
Throughout the book, Paul's emphasis is on perfecting the good which he already sees
in them.
Because of God's continuing work in them
1:6
Because of his love for them
1:7-8
PETITION THAT THEIR LOVE MIGHT GROW
1:9-11
His prayer for them is that the love which is already present might grow even
greater.
Sphere of development
1:9
The love which he wants to see develop in us will be evident by its combination with
knowledge and mature understanding-a discerning love.
Purpose of development
1:10
This will enable us to determine what is most important in life.
Cause of development
1:11
Such a manifestation can only come as the result of God's work in us to produce His
own character. Therefore it results in praise to Him.
Paul sends a report concerning his situation in prison.
He wants them to know that what has served to discourage them, is not a
discouragement to him.
3 Examples of the importance of God's perspective:
1.
GOD WORKS THROUGH DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES
-TO GLORIFY HIMSELF
God is at work in this too! --Encouragement
ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL
1:12-14
God is using his imprisonment for His glory and to spread the gospel.
Testimony of Paul
in
the prison
1:12-13
The guards have come to realize that he is not in prison for a crime, but because of
Jesus.
Testimony by others
outside
the prison
1:14
Even more significant, since Paul has been in prison, others have gained courage to
speak concerning the Lord.
DIVISION AMONG THE PREACHERS
1:15-18
2. GOD WORKS THROUGH DIVISIVE CIRCUMSTANCES
-TO GLORIFY HIMSELF
While there has been division among the preachers, that is not a cause for
discouragement.
At least the gospel is being preached because of it.
Their attitude
1:15-17
If they are preaching to spite Paul, that's their problem.
His attitude
1:18
Paul will rejoice because people are hearing the gospel.
Two things Paul doesn't say:
1) He doesn't say, "Any old message will do!"
2)
He doesn't say, "Praise God for their rotten attitudes!"
LIBERATION OF PAUL
1:19-26
Concerning his trial, Paul is convinced that he's soon going to be released.
3.
GOD WORKS THROUGH DIVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES
-TO GLORIFY HIMSELF
Means of salvation 1:19
This will end up in his deliverance-whatever happens will be good!
Either he'll be free to preach, OR he'll be home with the Lord!
Either way, he wins!
Desire for salvation
1:20-26
That he might not be embarrassed
1:20a
That he might not fail and bring God into disrepute.
He doesn't want to be a cause for people to think poorly of God.
That God might be glorified by life or death
1:20b-26
Either by his life or by his death, God will be glorified.
LIFE IS NOT THE GOAL!
His reason 1:20b-22a
1:21
To live
=
Christ
To die = gain
If he lives, it will produce more fruit 1:22a
His doubt 1:22b-24
Paul can't decide which to choose.
For himself,
death is the better option because he'll be with the Lord.
But it's more important to remain, for their sake 1:24
[Therefore,]
His plan
1:25-26
Since he believes God still has a job for him to do, he expects God to release
him.
This will be better for them because it will increase their confidence in the Lord.
Paul gives up what's best for him--for their good!
For Paul, the most important thing is to do God's will, for the benefit of the
brethren.
Regardless of what happens to him, we need to conduct ourselves worthily of the
gospel.
A series of five imperatives reveals the conduct Paul desires from us.
Most important is unity, which is reflected in all five exhortations.
CONDUCT YOURSELVES WORTHILY OF THE GOSPEL
1:27-30
We should stand firmly together so that we can help one another when confronted by
opponents.
BE OF ONE MIND
2:1-4
We ought to be more concerned for one another than for ourselves and our own
interests.
Motivation for unity
2:1
This should be sufficient.
It should be enough to make anyone happy!
Only one more thing is needed: to be of one mind-united.
Means of unity
2:2-4
What is our attitude when confronted by others who don't have the liberty to do
the things we do?
Are we willing to give up our rights in order to avoid offending others?
THINK AS CHRIST THOUGHT
2:5-11
We should follow Christ's example and humble ourselves for the good of our
brethren.
Didn't cling to equality with God 2:5-6
Gave up rights 2:7
Humbled Himself 2:8
Exalted by God 2:9-11
WORK OUT SALVATION
2:12-13
They ought to resolve the conflict they are currently facing and thereby demonstrate the
work God is doing in their lives.
Work hard at this! (emphatic)
-take this seriously!
-NOT eternal salvation from sin = "Save yourselves."
-Not even to demonstrate externally the salvation that Christ has worked internally.
-Refers to deliverance from their current dilemma-the troublesome situation they are
caught up in right now.
-As you have always obeyed
-In my presence or in my absence
-Reason: God is at work in you 2:13
He makes you want to -"to will"
He makes you able to -"to act"
DO EVERYTHING WITHOUT COMPLAINING
2:14-18
Finally, we should do everything without complaining and grumbling.
Such conduct will evidence to those around us the difference God has made in our lives.
Our appearing as lights in a crooked and perverse generation demonstrates that
grumbling and complaining is normal, accepted behavior in the world.
It shouldn't be like that among us.
Paul sends a report on those who have ministered in their midst.
They are used as examples of self-sacrifice for the good of others which we ought to
imitate.
TIMOTHY
2:19-23
Paul wanted to send Timothy to them because of his personal example.
He cares for them.
He seeks the good of others.
He's a proven servant-not trying to get ahead.
PAUL
2:24
Paul hopes that he will soon be free to visit them personally.
He isn't trying to avoid pain and the problems of suffering.
EPAPHRODITUS
2:25-30
Epaphroditus is another example to imitate.
Paul is sending him back to them.
While he was there ill, he was more concerned about them than he was about
himself, even though he nearly died.
Paul would rather keep him there, but he believes they need him worse.
Thus Paul will sacrifice his desires for them.
Again, the implication is that we should imitate his attitude.
Paul then deals with the problem of the Judaizers who have created problems at Phillipi
just as they have in other places.
He responds to their view that spirituality is achieved by keeping the Mosaic law.
His instruction focuses on the nature of true spirituality.
WARNING AGAINST JUDAIZERS
3:1-2
Paul begins by warning them of the danger posed by the
Judaizers.
CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE SPIRITUALITY
3:3
He contrasts their view of spirituality by law with the true view of spirituality.
Serving God in spirit
Those who are spiritual are those who serve God in spirit, not by letter.
Boasting in Christ
They boast in what Christ has done, not in their own accomplishments.
Not confiding in the flesh
They know better than to trust their own nature to produce fruit that will please God.
CAPACITY TO TRUST THE FLESH
3:4-6
Paul is not speaking as an outsider who is jealous because of their achievements.
If anyone could boast of their achievements, Paul could.
ATTITUDE CONCERNING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
3:7-21
Yet he realized his own failure.
He left everything behind and considered them as "leftovers," to gain the best.
Paul's loss
3:7-9
He considers his accomplishments to be worthless when compared with the
possibility of having Jesus' righteousness applied to his account.
My "profits" (2x) I "account for" (3x) as "losses" (3x).
To gain Christ
3:7-8
To be righteous in Christ
3:9
Paul's goals
3:10-11
He doesn't replace his old activities with different activities!
Now Paul's goals are to know Christ better and to experience the power which
raised Him from the
dead in his own daily life.
Paul's progress
3:12-14
Paul recognizes that he hasn't yet arrived at perfection but he has his eyes on the
goal and is progressing toward it.
Paul's exhortation
3:15-21
He urges the reader to agree on this same principle and to pursue the goal on the
level where he is, just as Paul has done.
Agree on this principle
3:15
Walk on the level reached
3:16
Imitate those who walk as he does
3:17-21
Concerning the presence of divisions and discouragement, Paul gives specific
exhortations for them to follow.
STAND FIRM
4:1
We should stand firm in the Lord and not let circumstances shake us.
BE OF ONE MIND
4:2-3
We should resolve our differences and work together.
REJOICE IN THE LORD
4:4
Rather than be discouraged or criticize, we ought to praise God for what He has done
for us.
BE GRACIOUS TO ALL MEN
4:5
We should establish a reputation for graciousness.
BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
4:6-7
Rather than worry about our problems and needs, we should commit those things to God
in prayer, thanking Him for what He has already done, and what He will do.
When we begin to live this way, we will be able to enjoy the protection of God's
peace, instead of anxiety.
THINK PROPERLY
4:8
Their minds have been centered on themselves rather than on God.
We ought to focus on and think about the right things.
Everything included on Paul's list can be found in God and in His Son Jesus.
We should think less about ourselves and more about Him.
ACT PROPERLY
4:9
Paul also is concerned about our actions.
He urges us to practice the things that he has taught us and what we have watched him
do.
Depression often results from sin in our lives.
If we want to experience God's peace, we must walk in a manner that will give us
confidence to approach the Lord.
Then we can enjoy His peace.
The Philippians have sent an offering to help Paul.
He is grateful for their gift.
HIS GRATITUDE
4:10
HIS ATTITUDE
4:11-13
After expressing his gratitude for their gift, Paul uses the opportunity to teach us the
proper attitude concerning money.
Having learned to trust the Lord, Paul is content to scrape by with bare necessities,
as
well as to have an overflow.
He has learned the secret of a contented life in either condition.
He can do all things through Christ.
HIS THANKS
4:14-19
Nevertheless, Paul doesn't want to be ungrateful.
He congratulates them for their sacrifice.
God knows what they have done and He will recompense their act of love.
Because they have sacrificed to help God's servant, God will meet their needs also.
For their gift
4:14
For their continuing support
4:15-16
His desire for them
4:17
His contentment
4:18
God's reward
4:19
PRAYER FOR GOD'S GLORY
4:20
Paul concludes the letter with a prayer that God will be glorified.
His prayer reflects what Paul expects to result from our application of the principles he
has taught in the letter.
GREETINGS TO THE BRETHREN
4:21-22
BENEDICTION
4:23