Philippians 1 (Part 2) Introduction

Title: Philippians (characteristically Gentile).

Author: One sender: Paul [1:1; 1:12-24; 2:19-24; 3:4-14; 4:10-16]; writing from jail in Rome [1:13-14].

Date of writing: A.D. 60-63.

City of Philippi:

1) Named after King Philip II [father of Alexander the Great] of Macedon.

2) Prosperous Roman colony with autonomous government.

3) Citizens were also citizens of Rome [Roman customs]. They prided themselves on being Romans [Acts 16:21]. Paul told them not to get too wrapped up in this for our citizenship is in heaven. Our position is a heavenly citizenship [3:20].

Recipients: The saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi.

About the church at Philippi:

1) The church in Philippi [ancient Macedonia] was the first European church founded by Paul. Paul visited Philippi on his second missionary journey.

2) The Macedonian Vision [Acts 16:1-13]. The three converts were unified in Christ Jesus [1:1]. This is not a religion but a relationship with Jesus Christ. A Christian is a person in Christ.

a) First convert: Lydia, first convert in Europe [Acts 16:14-15). The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. Lydia was a God-fearer [moved from a polytheistic environment to one God]. Worship: hear Truth and respond to it; surrender.

b) Second convert: demon-possessed slave-girl [Acts 16:16-21].

c) Third convert: Roman jailer [emperor worshipper].

Theme: Unity.

Philippians 1:1-2: Greetings.

a) servants [1:1]--doulos. The law was that the owner took full responsibility for the slave. The idea is surrender of one’s will--we do not have any will of our own.

b) all [1:1]--doctrine of unity in Christ. All believers are one.

c) in Christ [1:1; 1:26; 2:1; 2:5; 3:3; 3:8; 3:9; 3:14; 4:7; 4:19; 4:21].

d) saints [1:1]--addresses the church.

e) in Christ Jesus [1:1]: objective fact about a person in union with Christ. A Christian is defined not by how he acts but their union in Christ. A Christian should act in a certain way. There needs to be positional and practical balance. Christian living is living to what we are positionally.

f) overseers [1:1]: in authority; watching after souls. [Hebrews 13:7].

g) deacons [1:1]: non-authority position.

h) Grace [1:2]: expresses the character of God.

i) peace [1:2]: harmony with God and man. Peace is the result of the grace received.

Philippians 1:3-8: Expression of Thanksgiving for the Philippians.

a) Joy and the basis for it [1:4; 1:25; 2:2; 2:17; 2:18; 2:29; 4:1].

b) He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus [1:6]. perfect--finish a job. What God begins is identification to what He finishes--His power to perform in us a good work unto completion. How we see things--we are stuck in the pocket of time.

b) day of Christ Jesus [1:6]--return of Christ.