Philippians 1 Bible Study, part 3

Philippians Recap

Paul is the primary author of this letter to the church of Phillipi.

Timothy is included as a co-author of the letter as Paul seeks to point the Philippians to the fact that Timothy is a worthy servant of the gospel to minister to them on behalf of Paul (Philippians 2:19-24).

Paul saying they are servants of Christ Jesus is tied to the mind of Christ as one who took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7).

The audience of this letter is a particular church in the Church of Phillipi. A church that has its origins beginning back in Acts 16:6-40.

A church with particular overseers and deacons who lead and serve the body who are to lead the church in carrying these gospel implications out.

And a grace and peace statement that is given for the purpose of encouraging them that the very means of carrying out these instructions is by the grace of God. And that they need not be anxious because of the peace of God.

Philippians 1:3–11 ESV

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 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. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

For the next little bit, we want to start working our way, slowly through this passage. Beginning with Philippians 1:3-5.

Philippians 1:3-5

Philippians 1:3–5 ESV

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

We want to consider Paul’s joyful-thankfulness for gospel partnerships.

Walking through Philippians 1:3-5

Observations of Philippians 1:3-5

As we walk through this passage, what are some basic observations about the passage itself?

Paul thanks his God for the Philippians in every prayer.

Paul’s prayers for the Philippians are not only filled with thanksgiving, but joy.

Paul is thankful for the Philippians because of their gospel partnership.

From the first day until now, so a length of time.

Interpretation of Philippians 1:3-5

First question we need to ask is, what does it mean by partnership here in Philippians 1:5?

Philippians 4:15–18 ESV

15 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. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 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’s partnership is referring to a ministry partnership of giving and supporting financially.

It is also a partnership in care and encouragement.

Philippians 2:25–30 ESV

25 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, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 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. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

In this partnership of care, the Philippians have sent one to care for Paul. A care that was costly and almost cost Epaphroditus his life.

It is a partnership to aide in gospel ministry, to further advance the gospel message and therefore ultimately the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Kingdom of Heaven being God’s rule over his people in his place.

Brothers, this is the partnership that the Philippians and Paul have with one another.

Second interpretation, then becomes understandable after looking at the partnership. What is the correlation between Paul’s thankfulness and his prayers having joy.

Because of the rich partnership between Paul and the Church of Philippi, Paul has, to borrow from John Piper, “joyful-thankfulness” in his prayers for them.

This partnership brings Paul great joy and is easy for him to remember these people, these fellow saints in his prayers.

Third interpretation, what does Paul mean by the first day until now?

This partnership has gone on since the very beginning of the church, which is found in Acts 16.

And it has continued on through the years since.

Application of Philippians 1:3-5

What are some applications for us then today from these 3 verses?

We are to partner with others in gospel ministry, for these partnerships bring great joy and encouragement in the Christian life.

Gospel partnerships are to be then filled with joyful prayer for one another.

Gospel partnerships are to be full of encouragement and care for one another.

Gospel partnerships are to financially aide one another and meet other various needs.

One example of these partnerships are what we are labor to do with those ministry partners we have as a church.

In thinking through these applications, let me press further. How many of you can say you have such gospel partnerships on a more personal level? Where gospel joy, gospel encouragement, and gospel care is so very present?

Philippians 1:6

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Observations for Philippians 1:6

Interpretations for Philippians 1:6

What is the day of Jesus Christ?

We need to do some study here. We need to see how the day of the Lord is used in both the Old Testament and the New. Both Paul and others.

Isaiah 13:6 ESV

6 Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come!

Ezekiel 30:3 ESV

3 For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.

John 5:27 ESV

27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

Luke 17:24 ESV

24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.

1 Corinthians 1:8 ESV

8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:2–3 ESV

2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

2 Thessalonians 1:6–10 ESV

6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

1 Corinthians 3:12–13 ESV

12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Philippians 2:14–16 ESV

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Application for Philippians 1:6

Philippians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:3–5 ESV

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now