Philippians

Introduction

We know that Paul is the writer of the book

The book of Philippians was written as Paul was in prison.

The Church of Philippi was a church started by Paul.

Philippi is a Roman Colony in Macedonia.

this city was filled with older and retired Roman soldiers.

so it was known as a a very patriotic town

Paul had to deal with a lot of resistance for saying to these people that Jesus was the one and only King.

This lead to Paul’s followers having to deal with the same resistance and prosecution

So this letter is for the Church that is dealing with issues from there government in what they believe as well as dealing with the possible desire to go back to what they once knew.

The Theme of the book

to be in pursing in Christlikeness

Philippians 1:1–5 NASB95

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

v.1-2

Paul’s greetings

bond servant - slave of Christ Jesus

to the saints/believers of the church with the overseers (pastor, teachers, ministers) and deacons (servants)

v.3-5

Paul thanks God for them and he reminds them that he is thinking on of them.

and the fact that they are have been in the faith

Philippians 1:6–11 NASB95

6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

v.6-7

Paul expresses to these people that he has confidence that the good thing (being in Christ) that the good things that God started will be complete.

Paul was thrown into prison for his faith. So we have Paul, who is in prison. is able to be a comfort and encouragement to people that are also in the faith

v.8-11

Paul wants to make sure that there love continue.

This is Paul’s prayer

the love will continue and be stronger

this prayer is so that they may be well in Christ and to remain faithful until the day of Christ

What is the day of Christ?

The day of Christ, or the Last day, or the Day of the Lord is the time of Judgement that the Lord will act on.

So Paul’s hope is that the believers would remain faithful in love until the day of Christ