Joy in Jesus

Introduction to Philippians

Author: Written by the Apostle Paul

(1:1) as indicated in the greeting. “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi”. It was customary in first century letters to identify the writer and the reader and certainly was Paul’s custom. Paul is clearly the sole author although he greets the saints at Philippi from both he and Timothy. Timothy is there in Rome with Paul as he writes this letter.

Date: 60-62 AD.

Paul is writing while in prison (Vv 1:12-30). 12-13 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. The majority believe this was Paul’s imprisonment in Rome although some believe there could’ve been an imprisonment in Ephesus or while imprisoned in Caesarea.

Genre or literary style: Philippians is written as a letter or an epistle.

Paul’s writing not to one specific individual but rather to “all the saints…at Philippi”. The intent would be for the letter to be read before the whole church ()

Theme: Joy and Hope in and through Jesus.

Our Purpose in this Study:

Our Purpose in this Study:

Background of the church in Philippi:

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

English Standard Version Chapter 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:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Matthew 1:1 ESV

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

matthew 1

The Progress of the Gospel Through Paul

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 362). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Philippians: A Mentor Commentary Chapter 1: The Progress of the Gospel (1:1–26)

I. The Progress of the Gospel (1:1–26)

A. Greetings and Gratitude in the Gospel (1:1–11)

1. Greetings in the Gospel (1:1–2)

2. Gratitude in the Gospel (1:3–11)

B. The Progress of the Gospel through Paul (1:12–26)

1. Progress in the Present (1:12–18b)

2. Progress in the Future (1:18c–26)

Philippians: A Mentor Commentary Chapter 1: The Progress of the Gospel (1:1–26)

I. The Progress of the Gospel (1:1–26)

A. Greetings and Gratitude in the Gospel (1:1–11)

1. Greetings in the Gospel (1:1–2)

2. Gratitude in the Gospel (1:3–11)

B. The Progress of the Gospel through Paul (1:12–26)

1. Progress in the Present (1:12–18b)

2. Progress in the Future (1:18c–26)

Heading 5

Once upon a time there was some people.

Calvin: Commentaries 1. Salvation

In my judgment, interpreters so far have given a wrong translation and exposition of this passage; for the distinction they make is that, to Paul, Christ was life, and death gain.

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) Chapter 1

Far from severing Paul’s union with Christ, death will bring Paul into a fuller communion with the Christ to whom he is united (v. 23).