Introduction To Philippians

Introduction

Greetings...

Having finished up looking at the book of Ephesians in our “Prison Epistles” study we now find ourselves in the book of Philippians.

A book about “The Joy In Christ.”

The book of Philippians is quite different than many of the other books by Paul.

It is more peaceful than Galatians.

It is more personal than Ephesians.

It’s not a question & answer like 1 Corinthians or a treatise of theology like Romans.

It is much more intimate and personal much like 2 Corinthians.

However, Paul doesn’t have to defend himself and his apostleship in this book. 1

Concerning Paul’s relationship with the church in Philippi it’s been said the church is his...

“…best-loved church” and that “there was no congregation that was more special to the apostle Paul than the church in Philippi.”

Paul felt so comfortable with the church in Philippi that he accepted financial support from them, seemingly from the beginning.

This was not common, as Paul didn’t like putting that burden on a struggling congregation, but this was not the case with the Philippian church. They were mature early on concerning the proper partnership that should be between preachers and the church ().

This close and mature relationship explains Paul’s profound joy for the church in Philippi.

He has great and positive memories of the church ().

He always kept them close to his heart ().

He yearned to be with them ().

Yes, they were truly is “joy and crown” ().

With this in mind let us examine our lesson for this evening.

The Authorship Of Philippians

God is the author of the letter.

This should be and is obvious but it is always a good reminder especially in the cultural climate we continue to be in today.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

1 Corinthians 2:10–13 ESV

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Though God is the author he still used human instruments to write His holy Word.

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Paul is the human instrument of God’s authorship.

For the most part there is no real objection to Paul having written this letter.

There are always some “skeptics” or better said to be “heretics” on everything biblically related but nothing credible.

Why, because Paul clearly states he is the instrument used by God for this letter.

Philippians 1:1 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:

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The Recipients Of Philippians

The city of Philippi.

This city was an ancient city, established around 360 BC, and named after the father of Alexander the Great, Philip of Macedon.

As Luke would describe the city during this time, it was a leading city in the Macedonia district and a Roman colony.

Acts 16:12 ESV

12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

There are several things of importance here in this verse.

First, it was a leading city, meaning it was a diverse city.

Philippi’s residence included mostly Thracian, Greek, and Roman decedents with very little Jewish influence.

Second, the fact that it was a Roman colony meant something.

Roman colonies scattered throughout the empire were meant to preserve the language, culture, dress, and customs of the city of Rome. As Avon Malone put it the were “Rome away from Rome.”

So Philippi was diverse city with little Jewish tradition and filled with Roman citizens that had far more privileges than the average person.

They owned land, could b

The establishment of the church.

During Paul’s second missionary journey (49-52 AD) He and his companions, Timothy & Silas, came to Troas ().

There arrival in Troas because the Holy Spirit would not allow them to go to Asia, as they had intended ().

While in Troas Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia saying “Come over to Macedonia and help us” ().

So Paul, Timothy, Silas, and now Luke head for Macedonia immediately () and eventually end up in Philippi ().

They stayed there some days, probably to resupply, and on the Sabbath they all went “outside the gate” to find the place of prayer as there was no synagogue.

History tells us that it took 10 Jewish men in a city to form and maintain a synagogue and that foreign religious sanctuaries were not allowed in Roman colonies.

In we then read of the church’s establishment.

Lydia and her family obeyed first and then the jailor and his household next.

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After Paul gets out of jail he visits Lydia and the rest of the brethren to encourage them before he departs.

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So the Word of God comes to Philippi and is left in the hearts of the new Christians to grow and produce fruit.

The Date & Place Of The Writing

The dating of the book.

The best evidence indicates that Paul wrote this book along with the other “prison epistles” during his two years imprisonment in Rome recorded in .

Paul is obviously in prison.

Philippians 1:7 ESV

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.

Php 1:7

demonstrate this as well.

This puts the dating of the book during the early 60’s, about 8 to 10 years after Paul witnessed the establishment of the church in Philippi.

The place of the writing.

The reason it is suggested to be written from Rome, during his first imprisonment, is because of the internal references to Rome.

Philippians 1:13 ESV

13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.

Imperial guard is a reference to the emperor’s personal army.

Philippians 4:22 ESV

22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

Once again Caesar’s household would be in Rome.

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The Purpose Of The Book

A note of thanks for their support.

For roughly ten years the brethren had supported and helped Paul financially in his preaching of the gospel.

Was was extremely grateful and he uses this letter as a means of expressing that gratitude.

Philippians 1:5 ESV

5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Philippians 4:14–16 ESV

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 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.

Philippians 4:14–18 ESV

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 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.

Philippians 4:17–18 ESV

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.

Php 4:

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A note of recognition for Epaphroditus.

This servant of God was from Philippi and had brought Paul the financial support (; ).

While he was in Rome he became sick and almost died (, ).

Knowing the brethren in Philippi’s concern Paul wants them to know he is sending him back with this letter and his gratitude for what Epaphroditus did in risking his life to “complete what was lacking in their service to Paul.”

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Philippians 2:28 ESV

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.

A note of encouragement for the discouraged.

This whole letter is one of support, comfort and assurance.

In fact the word joy is found five times and the word rejoice is found nine times.

The key verse then of this book of Joy in Christ is found in .

Philippians 4:4 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

A plea for unity.

The only actual problem the Philippian church was facing was that of disunity.

These were not like those of the church in Corinth wherein divisions were many and varying ().

No the church in Philippi seemed to have more personal problems with one another.

This is why Paul calls for humility to rule the day and for the congregation to stand together for the cause of Christ.

Philippians 1:27 ESV

27 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,

Philippians 2:1–4 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Php 2:

Additional Scriptures include and .

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Brief Outline For Philippians

The Purpose of Life (1)

Philippians 1:21 ESV

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The Pattern of Life (2)

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:12 ESV

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,

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The Prize of Life (3)

Philippians 3:14–16 ESV

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

The Peace of Life (4)

Philippians 4:7–9 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

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Conclusion

These short four chapters demonstrate Christ should be “our life,” “our example,” “our object” and “our strength” bring joy to us everyday.

As Bell once wrote, “The rich cream of Paul’s long personal experience with Christ rises in this prison epistle. May we all remember ever that no faith can live itself out in our lives that is not sustained and renewed by memory, experience, and hope.” 2

Invitation

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Philippians 2:6–7 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

RC Bell’s Studies in Philippians: Lesson 1

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