Exegetical Worksheet #1: Philippians

A. What is going on in Paul’s life? What is going on in the life of the Philippians (both Christian and non-Christian)? List/record specific features/sentences regarding the life-situation of this letter. E.g. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord (NRSV).

Paul appears to be in prison when writing this letter according to Philippians 1:7 “It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”

It would appear that he is being imprisoned in Rome because he mentions the imperial guard in Philippians 1:13 “so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” and at the end of the book he also sends greetings from those who are in Caesar’s household in Philippians 4:22 “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.”

Paul’s imprisonment caused other believers to become enboldened to preach the Gospel according to Philippians 1:14 “And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

This boldness in the Christians was both positive and negative, with some preaching with good intentions and others bad (Phil 1:15-17)

Paul appears to be in a dilemma about whether or not he wants to die or not - dying would allow him to be with Christ, but living would benefit the Philippian Christians.

There evidently weren’t many “leaders” that Paul trusted, and Timothy was one of them. He hoped to send Timothy soon to check on the Philippians according to Philippians 2:19–20 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.”

In the meantime he sent Epaphroditus back to the Philippians. He had apparently been sent to the Philippians to care for Paul, and in the process had almost died from sickness. (Philippians 2:25–27 “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” )

There may have been Judaizers still afoot trying to convince Christians that they needed to become circumcised based on Philippians 3:2 “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.”

Euodia and Syntyche apparently were two women in the Philippian church who were having a disagreement (Philippians 4:2 “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.” )

There was someone in Philippi that Paul calls his “true yolk-fellow” or perhaps a proper name Syzygus. Who could this person be that Paul is talking about and/or call a yolk-fellow? They were evidently close to the two women previously mentioned as Paul encourages her (or him?) to help them.

Paul mentions a certain Clement among “the rest of my fellow workers”. Could this be the same Clement that wrote 1 Clement a few decades later?

The Philippian church really cared about Paul, and not just because he was in prison now. They provided resources for him when he left for Macedonia and was in Thessalonica, when nobody else would (Phil 4:14-16)

Paul had been given quite a gift by the Philippians and was very thankful for it (Philippians 4:18 “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” )

Paul has several “brothers” with him while in prison. Timothy, Clement, Epaphroditus are explicitly named, but he let’s on that there are more in Philippians 4:21–22 “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.”

B. Why did Paul/Timothy write the letter? Is there one reason or many? To whom do Paul and Timothy address the letter? How does this affect the reading of the letter?

Paul/Timothy address the letter to “all the saints in Christ Jesus who are Philippi, with the overseers and deacons”.

The fact that this letter is addressed to “all the saints...with the overseers and deacons.” indicates that Paul wanted this letter addressed and read by the entire congregation. He wasn’t just interested in speaking to their leaders - he wants them all to know he was writing to them. There is a sense of equality among all the believers here.

Paul/Timothy seem to have a couple of reasons for writing this letter, but the big one is to alleviate concern among the Philippians.

They had sent him gifts, and Epaphroditus (Phil 4:18), to help care for Paul while he was in prison. But it seems like the last thing they had heard was that Epaphroditus was sick and had almost died (2:26-27). So part of this letter is to let them know that Epaphroditus had been miraculously saved, was still alive, and was being sent back to them.

It seems that Paul’s imprisonment may have shaken the Philippians confidence in the Gospel. Thus, Paul has to tell them that his imprisonment has actually served to further the Gospel (Phil 1:14) and for that Paul is overjoyed, and they should be, too.

However, it does seem that Paul wants to take this opportunity to remind the Philippians that they need to stand strong in their faith regardless of his circumstance in Philippians 1:27–28 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”

This is reemphasized in Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”

He also wants to encourage them to prepare for persecution and to suffer the same things he is suffering (Phil 1:29-30), but to remain united, holy, and humble in all things (2:1-17).

Paul wants to inform them of his intent to send Timothy to them at some point when he gets a chance (Philippians 2:19 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.” )

Overall Paul seems to want the Philippians to change their attitude from sadness and concern to joy. See the following verses:

Philippians 1:25 “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,”

Philippians 2:17–18 “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”

Philippians 2:28–29 “I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,”

Philippians 3:1 “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.”

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Paul also warns them to be on the lookout for false teachers (Philippians 3:2 “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.” )

He is also wanting them to imitate him by staying focused on Christ so that they do not stray way (Philippians 3:17–18 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” )

C. What contributions does this letter make to the other letters by Paul and the biblical revelation as a whole? Hint: What would be missing if one removed Philippians from the biblical revelation?

Without Philippians we wouldn’t know Paul’s theology of suffering and the spreading of the Gospel through that suffering.

We also wouldn’t have the “Christ Hymn” of Phil 2:5-11, which not only confirms the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection, but also reveals Paul’s Christology of Jesus being God and taking on flesh.

Philippians tells us that there were believers in Caesar’s household and also probably the praetorium - thus Paul’s preaching that was noted at the end of Acts was apparently successful.

Philippians 2:12–13 “ work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” provides insight into the tension of faith and works in salvation.

Paul’s “debate” on whether he should live or die provides insight into his understanding of what exactly would happen if he were to die - which is to go be with Christ (Phil 1:19-26). This topic is rarely addressed, if ever, in the rest of the NT.

Paul’s summary of his credentials in Phil 3:2-11, is the most comprehensive background material of Paul, and it also reveals his understanding of the value of knowing Christ by “counting as rubbish” all of those fleshly things.

D. What verses seem to demand more study regarding culture?

Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:” (Study more about Philippi)

Philippians 3:19 “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” (What does “their god is their belly” referring to?)

Philippians 4:15–16 “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.” (What are the geographical connections between Philippi, Macedonia, and Thessalonica?)

E. What chapters/verses in Acts give us information regarding the life setting of Philippians? Why, what information is relevant?

Acts 16:6-39, Acts 17:1-9.

These passages tell the story of how the church in Philippi was started by Paul with the conversion of Lydia. Paul and Silas were also placed in prison here where they converted the jailer and his family.

The previous verses (16:6-10, 17:1-9) also provide insight into Paul’s overall purpose to being in Macedonia, and then being sent off to Thessalonica, where he started that church. Both of which are mentioned in Phil 4:15-16.

1. Read Philippians a second time, slowly and thoroughly, in one uninterrupted sitting and complete the following:

A. Ask questions. This might be the most important tool in Bible study. What do you not understand (do not presume anything)? What might have been difficult for the first readers to understand? In other words, what obstacles would they need to overcome for comprehension and application? What obstacles might contemporary readers face to comprehension and application? Record names and places asking, Who are they? Where are they? Why have they been identified?

B. Note repetition of words, contrasts (often expressed using “but”), comparisons (like, as), lists of words (love, joy, peace, etc.), cause and effect (what is the cause, what is the effect), figures of speech (images, metaphors, similes), conjunctions (often determine paragraph, sentence, and other major divisions. i.e. but, therefore, so that, now about, since, because, for this reason).

C. Record important verbs -- this is where the action is taking place.

D. Record pronouns and identify antecedent (who or what the pronoun is referring to).

E. Note possible Old Testament allusions. See Moises Silva, “Philippians,” in Beale, Commentary on the N.T. Use of the O.T. (Provided on Canvas). Also, try using the cross-reference section of a good study Bible.

i. Someday, on your own time, a search of relevant words/phrases/ideas in the Septuagint is helpful.