Sermon Tone Analysis

Outlines and commentary notes – Phil.

1:27 - ...

Exhortation to Christlike Character (1:27–2:18)

(1)A Unified Stand (1:27–30)

The Nature of the Philippians’ Stand (1:27–28)

Christian Suffering (1:29–30)

The Nature of Christian Suffering (1:29)

The Pauline Model of Suffering (1:30)

(2)A Unified Mind (2:1–4)

The Basis of Paul’s Appeal to Unity (2:1)

The Essence of Unity (2:2a)

The Expression of Unity (2:2b–4)

Paul’s encouragement, 1:27–2:18:

a.call to Christlike unity amidst persecution, 1:27–30

b.live in Christlike self-lessness, 2:1–4

1:27–30 Encouragement to Walk Worthy of the Gospel.

Paul’s sacrifice will be futile, however, if the Philippians do not continue to live in a way that is “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

1:27 The phrase be worthy of the gospel translates the Greek word politeuesthe.

As the ESV footnote indicates, the Greek can also be translated as “only behave as citizens worthy [of the gospel of Christ],” a phrasing that nicely captures Paul’s play on words here and in 3:20 (“our citizenship [Gk.

politeuma] is in heaven”).

Philippi prided itself on being a Roman colony, offering the honor and privilege of Roman citizenship.

Paul reminds the congregation that they should look to Christ, not Caesar, for their model of behavior, since their primary allegiance is to God and his kingdom.

They need to stand together with one another and with Paul in striving for the gospel.

Paul’s emphasis on unity may suggest some division within the Philippian congregation (cf.

4:2–3).

Perhaps the disunity is one reason he mentions the “overseers and deacons” at the outset of the letter (1:1), for they are required to minister in a way that promotes unity.

1:28 As the Philippians maintain courage in the face of their opponents, these opponents will realize that such remarkable strength could come only from God, and thus anyone who continues to oppose God’s people will be marked for destruction.

“Destruction” (Gk.

apōleia) here means eternal destruction, hence these are different opponents from those who antagonized Paul in vv.

15–18, who seem to have been Christians.

A different city is in view as well, for here Paul speaks about what is happening in Philippi, while in vv.

15–18 his opposition is (presumably) in Rome.

But God’s sustaining grace amid trouble will assure the believers of their own final salvation.

Paul follows the teaching of Jesus here (Matt.

5:10–12), reminding them that persecution is a sign that they belong to Christ.

1:29–30 Troubles will come, because the reality is that believers in Christ will suffer for his sake.

Paul teaches that both suffering and faith are gifts of God; for both, Paul says, have been granted to you.

Suffering for the sake of Jesus is a great privilege (see Matt. 5:10–12; Acts 5:41).

Paul again holds himself out as an example of one who has maintained his joy while experiencing the same conflict (i.e., opposition from hostile unbelievers).

2:1–30 Exhortation to Humble Service.

Paul calls the Philippians to unite in love and humility (vv.

1–4), as exemplified by Christ’s humble service (vv.

5–11).

They are to live as lights in the world (vv.

12–18), just like Christ’s faithful servants Timothy (vv.

19–24) and Epaphroditus (vv.

25–30).

2:1–4 Encouragement to Unity in the Faith and Service of One Another.

The Philippians are encouraged to live out their life in Christ and in the Spirit by living in unity.

2:1–2 Paul is not doubting that encouragement, participation in the Spirit, affection, and sympathy are realities in Christ and are present in the congregation at Philippi.

He uses a conditional sentence (if) to provoke the Philippians so that they will reflect on whether these qualities are evident in their lives.

The Philippian believers must make sure they continue to progress in the absolutely critical area of love for one another.

As Paul emphasizes, they must be of the same mind.

This does not imply a drab intellectual uniformity; rather, the Philippians are to use their diverse gifts (cf. 1 Corinthians 12) in an agreeable, cooperative spirit, with a focus on the glory of God.

2:3–4 There is always a temptation to be like Paul’s opponents in 1:17 and operate in a spirit of rivalry, looking to advance one’s own agenda.

Such conceit (lit., “vainglory”) is countered by counting others more significant than yourselves.

Paul realizes that everyone naturally looks out for his or her own interests.

The key is to take that same level of concern and apply it also to the interests of others.

Such radical love is rare, so Paul proceeds to show its supreme reality in the life of Christ (2:5–11).

1:27–28 Live your life (lit “conduct yourselves as citizens”; cp.

Ac 23:1) alludes to Philippi’s political history, reminding the church of its higher citizenship (in the kingdom of God).

Paul’s primary concern, that you are standing firm in one spirit, reflected military pride.

Roman armies stood ready for combat regardless of the enemy’s level of strength and preparedness or the distracting enticements of culture.

The church must manifest the same readiness.

“One spirit” expresses the believer’s unified attitude.

One accord (lit “same soul”) means that believers share “life.”

Together they prevent divisiveness like Paul witnessed at Rome (vv.

14–17).

Standing firm involves contending together.

“Contending” comes from athletics where teams contended for a prize (cp.

4:3).

Harmony, not individualism, achieves God’s purposes.

Standing also involves not being frightened … by your opponents.

Soldiers used “frightened” to describe horses that might easily be startled.

euangelion

Greek pronunciation[yoo ahn GEHL ee ahn]

CSB translationgospel

Uses in Philippians12

Uses in the NT76

Focus passagePhilippians 1:27

The Christian euangelion (gospel) is the universal good news of God’s saving grace through faith in Christ, and the message of his kingdom over which Jesus reigns.

Jesus preached the good news of God’s coming kingdom (Mt 4:23), and substantiated his message by miracles (Mt 9:35).

The gospel of the kingdom’s arrival will be preached to the world (Mk 13:10) and is worthy of sacrificial labor (Mk 8:35).

Paul believed the gospel was an extension of OT promises, where it lay hidden in mystery form (Rm 1:1–3; 16:25–26).

Paul’s gospel encompasses Jesus’s entire life: his incarnation, sacrificial death, burial, resurrection, post-resurrection appearances, and ascension (Rm 1:1–6; 1Co 15:1–8; Php 2:9).

It is the Spirit-empowered message (1Th 1:5) by which God calls the elect (2Th 2:13–14) and reconciles people to himself (2Co 5:18–21).

Men will one day be judged by it (Rm 2:16; 2Th 1:8).

1:29–30 Granted (lit “by grace”) indicates that God “graces” Christians to believe and suffer on Christ’s behalf.

Both contribute to Christ’s glory.

2:1–2 Four if statements in these verses form the basis of Paul’s appeal.

These phrases express conditions that are assumed for the sake of argument.

Both Paul and his readers will be inclined to believe the truth of these conditions.

Make my joy complete, not “make Paul happy,” reminded them that their steadfastness completed God’s call on his life.

Four actions on the Philippians’ part explain what Paul meant.

Two verbs translate the Greek word phroneō—thinking and being intent on.

Beyond mere “thinking,” this addresses values.

The Philippians were to value the same way and with one purpose.

Between these two, Paul included shared love and spirit.

2:3–4 Selfish ambition or conceit recalls the problem Paul condemned (1:15, 17).

Humility, the antidote for wrong attitudes, results in considering others as more important.

Additionally, humility considers the interests of others.

Proper relationships include the contrast “not only, but also.”

Personal responsibilities demand consideration, but the concerns of others are equally important.

CHAPTER THREE

BATTLE STATIONS!

Philippians 1:27–30