Christology in Philippians

Philippian Christology

Servants of Christ - 1:1

Saints in Christ - 1:1

Lordship of Christ - 1:2

Day of Christ - 1:6, 1:10

Affections of Christ - 1:8

Righteousness of Christ - 1:11

Imprisoned for Christ - 1:13

Speakers of Christ - 1:15

Speakers of Christ - 1:15

Spirit of Christ - 1:19

Honoring Christ - 1:20

To live is Christ - 1:21

To depart is Christ - 1:23

Glory in Christ - 1:26

Gospel of Christ - 1:27

Suffer for Christ - 1:29

Observations

1. Christ-centeredness

This is all from the first chapter. Paul is Christ-obsessed in a way that almost seems put-on. Do I seem as Christ obsessed to the people who know me? There would be a superficially religious way to sound like it. I could simply add Christ to every 4th sentence I speak. But to become this Christ obsessed in my heart — that’s a different matter. Doable. Not easy or immediate.

2. Nouns & Verbs

I count 2 or 3 verbs --that is things done for Christ. Most of what I see here are nouns and adjectives. Things tied into the person of Christ. If I were to become Christ obsessed, would I become obsessed with doing for Christ or with resting in him? If I peppered every 4th sentence with the name of Christ in a superficial way, I bet my verb to noun ratio would be dramatically different than what we see here. I bet I would speak much more about what I will do or am doing for Christ than I would about who Christ is.

3. Righteousness from Christ (Union)

In v. 11, Paul says that the goal of his prayers for the Philippians is that they are filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. Think about imputed righteousness as more than a one time transaction. What does that look like? How would we know if this was happening? Consider v. 8, Paul says he is yearning for them with the affections of Christ. Paul can tell that his affections for them are well beyond his own resources.

instance consider v. 8, Paul says he is yearning for them with the affections of Christ.