PHILIPPIANS

PHILIPPIANS 1

PAUL VIEWS SUFFERING AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE GOD’S GOODNESS

As Paul and Timothy write to the church in Philippi, they open their letter with greetings to the Philippians believers and leaders. Setting the joyful tone for their letter, they praised God and rejoiced in the ways the Philippians responded to the gospel. Paul calls them partners in the gospel and reminisces on their growth since their early founding. Confident in God’s abilities, Paul says he is sure that God will complete the good work he began in Philippi.

Paul shares his affection for the church in Philippi and shares his desire to be among them. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is that their love will abound and they will grow in knowledge and discernment. Clarifying the source of their righteousness, Paul gives the glory and praise to Jesus who has filled them with His spirit.

When Paul wrote this letter, he had been arrested and detained, most likely in Rome. Despite his limited freedoms, Paul sees his imprisonment as an opportunity to serve God and advance the gospel. Throughout his many arrests, Paul has become more confident in God and spreading the news of Jesus without fear! Instead of focusing on his own suffering, Paul rejoices that the truth of Jesus is being proclaimed throughout the world.

Even after facing extreme persecution, Paul waits with eager expectation and hope. Paul trusts that the prayers of believers and the Holy Spirit will bring him deliverance. Knowing his future could hold execution or further imprisonment, Paul states that whatever happens to him, either life or death, will honor Christ. To Paul, both life and death revolve around Jesus. If he dies, he will be with Jesus in eternity, which he acknowledges is his desire. But if Paul remains alive, he can continue to share the news of Jesus and give glory to Him. No matter what happens, Paul will either be with Jesus or share Jesus with others!

Trusting that the meaning of life is to glorify God, Paul urges the Philippians to live in a manner that is consistent with the good news of Jesus. Paul confirms that along with belief comes suffering, viewing suffering as a necessary experience of following Jesus.

Philippians 1:21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

PHILIPPIANS 2

FOLLOWING CHRIST’S EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY + UNITY

Highlighting the character of Jesus, Paul encourages the Philippians to live in humility and unity. Paul advises the believers to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but view others as more significant than themselves. Instead of only looking out for their best interests, they are to consider the interests of others as Christ considered them. Because Jesus was the ultimate example of humility, He was obedient to God, even when that obedience required death on the cross.

Because of Jesus’s humility and sacrifice, God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above all others. In the end, every knee will bow to Jesus and every mouth will confess that Jesus is the Savior.

Paul instructs the believers to work out their salvation in obedience. Because salvation can only be found through faith in Jesus alone, Paul is advocating for followers of Jesus to perform good works as a response to salvation, not as a means to achieve or earn salvation. It is God Himself who works in the believers to accomplish the good works—God is both the source of goodness and glorified by goodness! Because of this, Paul encourages the believers to work without complaining, knowing that their work is not in vain.

Paul shares two examples of faithful disciples of the faith, Timothy and Epaphroditus. Hoping to send Timothy to Philippi soon, Paul believes that Timothy will be inspired by the faith of the Philippians. Paul speaks highly of Timothy, calling him a devoted messenger of the faith. Next, Paul speaks of Epaphroditus, who was sent by the Philippians to aid and support Paul in prison. Although Epaphroditus became ill, almost to the point of death, God revived him, and he was able to return to Philippi as a messenger of Paul.

Philippians 2:8 - And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

PHILIPPIANS 3

RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE

Recalling his past experiences as a Jewish religious leader, Paul states that he had a false confidence in his religiosity. Although he was circumcised, he does not have confidence in his flesh, but instead in his faith. Paul had the status and leadership within the religious practice, but without faith in Jesus, he saw it all as worthless. Instead of a gain, Paul views these formalities as a loss and sees them all as filth in comparison to knowing Jesus. Instead of finding righteousness from keeping the law, Paul trusts that his righteousness comes through his faith in Jesus alone.

Wanting to experience the power of the resurrection, Paul desires to share in the sufferings of Jesus and become like Him even in his death. Through the death of his sins, accomplished on the cross by the sacrifice of Jesus, Paul will experience resurrection himself and experience eternal life.

Paul presses on in faithfulness, seeing holiness as the goal and Jesus as the prize. Confident in his eternity, Paul states that the citizenship of believers is heaven, and all followers of Jesus are awaiting God’s establishment of heaven on earth. Not only will the earth be redeemed, but God’s people will be given new, glorious bodies.

PHILIPPIANS 4

FINDING PEACE + CONTENTMENT IN CHRIST

Continuing his message of unity, Paul addresses two specific women, Euodia and Syntyche. Although these women have been great workers and messengers of Christ, they have disagreements that Paul wants resolved. Often, Paul provides general advice to the church, but also includes a specific example.

Paul prompts the believers not to be anxious, but instead present their worries before God in prayer. Emphasizing both thanking God and making requests of God, Paul tells believers to make their needs known. Through prayer, God can bring peace that surpasses all understanding and guard the hearts of believers.

Throughout many trials, including shipwrecks, snake bites, and imprisonment, Paul remained incredibly faithful and filled with peace. Paul teaches the believers to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. By keeping his mind on the ways of God, Paul is able to experience the peace of God in extenuating circumstances.

Believing he has found the source for contentment in all things, Paul trusts he can endure all things through Christ who gives him strength. Philippians 4:13 is often taken out of context; Paul is not speaking of his own accomplishments or accolades, but is instead speaking of God’s provision for him in challenging situations.

Because the Philippians have been generous to Paul, Paul believes God will supply them with their every need. Paul concludes his message to the Philippians and prays they continue to experience God’s grace and goodness.

Philippians 4:8 - 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.