Exposition of PhilippiansExposition of Philippians

IntroductionIntroduction

Phil 1:1-2Phil 1:1-2

Philippi on Paul’s Second Journey – Philippi on Paul’s Second Journey –

c. 49-51 AD (Acts 16:9-40) c. 49-51 AD (Acts 16:9-40)

The Prison EpistlesThe Prison Epistles

Ephesians,Colossians,& Philemonwritten from hereand delivered by Tychicusand Onesimus (Eph 6:21;Col 4:7-9).

Philippians also writtenfrom here and delivered toPhilippi by Epaphroditus(Phil 2:25-30).

Introductory Matters for Introductory Matters for PhilippiansPhilippians

Author:Author: The Apostle Paul, founder of the church at The Apostle Paul, founder of the church at Philippi and now a prisoner for the cause of Christ Philippi and now a prisoner for the cause of Christ (Phil 1:12-13).(Phil 1:12-13).

Date:Date: About 62 AD, near the end of Paul’s first About 62 AD, near the end of Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, and about 10 years after Roman imprisonment, and about 10 years after the initial founding of the Philippian church.the initial founding of the Philippian church.

Audience:Audience: The church at Philippi in Macedonia, The church at Philippi in Macedonia, established on Paul’s second missionary journey established on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16:9-40). The church was predominantly (Acts 16:9-40). The church was predominantly Gentile; there is no record of a synagogue here.Gentile; there is no record of a synagogue here.

Occasion for the Letter:Occasion for the Letter: Paul takes advantage of Paul takes advantage of Epaphroditus’ return trip (he had earlier brought a Epaphroditus’ return trip (he had earlier brought a gift from the Philippians) to write them a letter of gift from the Philippians) to write them a letter of friendship and encouragement. friendship and encouragement.

Character of the book:Character of the book: A personal letter of joyful A personal letter of joyful encouragement and gratitude from the Apostle encouragement and gratitude from the Apostle Paul to a church who had faithfully supported him.Paul to a church who had faithfully supported him.

Major Themes in PhilippiansMajor Themes in Philippians

Joy/Contentment in All CircumstancesJoy/Contentment in All Circumstances The GospelThe Gospel ExamplesExamples

ChristChrist PaulPaul TimothyTimothy EpaphroditusEpaphroditus

Warning Against False TeachersWarning Against False Teachers Steadfastness/Being of the same mindSteadfastness/Being of the same mind

Purposes for PhilippiansPurposes for Philippians

To provide To provide informationinformation to the Philippians to the Philippians on Paul’s circumstances and the ongoing on Paul’s circumstances and the ongoing advance of the gospeladvance of the gospel

To express Paul’s To express Paul’s affectionaffection for these for these believers who had been faithful partners in believers who had been faithful partners in the gospelthe gospel

To To warnwarn the Philippians against the the Philippians against the Judaizers and those leading licentious livesJudaizers and those leading licentious lives

To To exhortexhort the Philippians to lives of unity, the Philippians to lives of unity, humility, joy, and thanksgivinghumility, joy, and thanksgiving

Survey of PhilippiansSurvey of Philippians Salutation (1:1-2)Salutation (1:1-2) Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11)Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11)

Paul’s prayer is one of thanksgiving for the Paul’s prayer is one of thanksgiving for the Philippians’ participation in the Gospel and Philippians’ participation in the Gospel and petition for their ongoing growth in knowledge petition for their ongoing growth in knowledge and discernment.and discernment.

Paul’s Report on His Personal Paul’s Report on His Personal Circumstances and Their Advance of the Circumstances and Their Advance of the Gospel (1:12-26)Gospel (1:12-26) Far from restricting the spread of the Gospel, Far from restricting the spread of the Gospel,

Paul’s imprisonment has caused it to spread Paul’s imprisonment has caused it to spread throughout the praetorian guard and throughout the praetorian guard and emboldened others in their witness for Christ. emboldened others in their witness for Christ. For Paul, to live is Christ and to die is gain.For Paul, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Survey of PhilippiansSurvey of Philippians Paul’s Appeal for a Worthy Walk (1:27-3:21)Paul’s Appeal for a Worthy Walk (1:27-3:21)

Walk worthy and contend as one, even in Walk worthy and contend as one, even in suffering (1:27-30)suffering (1:27-30)

Paul’s Call to Unity (2:1-30)Paul’s Call to Unity (2:1-30) Be of the same mind by humbling yourself, looking to Be of the same mind by humbling yourself, looking to

Christ as the example (2:1-11)Christ as the example (2:1-11) Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (2:12-Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (2:12-

18)18) Paul’s desire to send Timothy and the need to send Paul’s desire to send Timothy and the need to send

Epaphroditus (2:19-30)Epaphroditus (2:19-30) Paul’s Call to Steadfastness (3:1-21)Paul’s Call to Steadfastness (3:1-21)

Beware of evil workers (3:1-3)Beware of evil workers (3:1-3) Paul as one who put no confidence in the flesh (3:4-14)Paul as one who put no confidence in the flesh (3:4-14) The need to follow Paul’s example (3:15-17) and The need to follow Paul’s example (3:15-17) and

warning against those who don’t (3:18-21)warning against those who don’t (3:18-21)

Survey of PhilippiansSurvey of Philippians Paul’s Final Exhortations (4:1-21)Paul’s Final Exhortations (4:1-21)

Stand Firm in the Lord (4:1)Stand Firm in the Lord (4:1) Let Euodia and Syntche Live in Harmony Let Euodia and Syntche Live in Harmony

(4:2-3)(4:2-3) Be Anxious for Nothing (4:4-7)Be Anxious for Nothing (4:4-7) Focus on What Is Excellent (4:8-9)Focus on What Is Excellent (4:8-9)

Paul’s Joy in the Partnership of the Paul’s Joy in the Partnership of the Philippians (4:10-20)Philippians (4:10-20)

Epilogue (4:21-23)Epilogue (4:21-23)

Next Time: Paul’s Next Time: Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer for Thanksgiving and Prayer for

the Philippiansthe Philippians

Phil 1:3-11Phil 1:3-11