PAULINE THEOLOGY

Study12: Philippians

  1. PAUL AND THE PHILIPPIANS
  2. Paul entered Philippi on his second missionary journey, accompanied by Silas, Timothy, and Luke. This was the first city in Macedonia to receive the gospel. Paul decided to go there after seeing a night vision of a Macedonian man who was begging them to come. (Acts 16:9,10)
  3. As was their custom, Paul and his companions went to the Jews first. There was no synagogue in the city. Evidently there were fewer than the ten men needed to form one. So he found a small group of women in a “place of prayer” by the river. Lydia, a businesswoman who was transplanted from Thyatira, heard the gospel and became the first known Christian in Europe. (Acts 16:11-15)
  4. After some time and with a small band of new disciples, Paul and his friends were beaten and arrested when they had exorcized a demon from a young girl. At midnight, while they were singing hymns, an earthquake shook the jail releasing the doors of the prison and led to the conversion of the Philippian jailor. When the civil magistrates learned that the men were Roman citizens had been unlawfully beaten and imprisoned, they were afraid and asked the men to leave the city, which they did. (Acts 16:25-40)
  5. Paul likely visited the church several times after this and maintained a warm relationship with them. In fact, they had actively supported his ministry. (4:15,16)
  1. OCCASION AND THEMES OF THE LETTER
  2. Paul in chains
  3. Location unknown but the most likely possibilities are Rome, Caesarea or Ephesus. If Rome, then Philippians is written around the same time as Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.
  4. While Paul languished in prison, the Philippian church sent him a financial gift by way of a church member named Epaphroditus. (2:25)
  5. While there, Epaphroditus became seriously ill and almost died. The Philippians had heard of his sickness and were obviously very concerned. (2:26,27)
  6. Paul appears to go out of his way to commend Epaphroditus and report of his distress that the church had heard of his illness. (2:25,26) Paul urges the church to honor him and again stresses that he almost died in his service. (2:28-30) This hints that the church did not know of the severity of his illness and some may have been critical that he had spent such a long time with Paul. Now that Paul is sending Epaphroditus back with this letter, he clarifies why he had been absent for an extended period and urges the church too receive him warmly.
  7. This letter also allows Paul to convey the difficulties of his present circumstance (1:12ff) while thanking God for their partnership in the gospel. (1:3-11) He also wants to thank them for their generosity. (4:14-18)
  8. Trouble in the church
  9. Disunity
  10. Note Paul’s frequent appeal for unity. (1:27; 2:1-5, 14; 3:17,20; 4:2)
  11. He is concerned that the private conflict between Euodia and Syntyche not spill over into the rest of the congregation.
  12. Suffering
  13. Suffering (his own and theirs) is a repeated theme in the book.
  14. Paul’s suffering in chains and possible execution. (1:12-26) He describes his own experience as a “drink offering” for the Philippians. (2:17)
  15. All Christians are called to suffer for Christ. (1:29,30)
  16. He quotes the hymn of Christ that pointed to the Lord’s suffering. (2:8)
  17. Epaphroditus has suffered in his service to Christ. (2:26-30)
  18. Paul desires to know the sufferings of Christ by personally sharing in them. (3:10)
  19. He knows what it means to be hungry and in need. (4:12)
  20. How should a believer respond to suffering? He should respond with joy and thanksgiving! (1:3-4,25; 2:2; 4:4)
  21. Since Christ’s suffering was followed by his vindication (2:8,9), Christians should persevere so that they too may receive their salvation. (3:21)
  22. Opponents
  23. Christian preachers who are envious of Paul and seek to stir up trouble for him. (1:15-18)
  24. Roman authorities who are frightening the church. These are the same ones who imprisoned Paul and Silas. (1:27-30)
  25. Jewish (professing) Christians who are demanding that Gentile believers submit to the law, and in particular, circumcision. (3:2,3)
  26. Gentile (professing) Christians who are caving to the pressures of the Roman society and denying the power of the cross to change their lives. (3:17-19) They had forgotten that they are citizens of heaven. (3:20)
  1. OUTLINE (From G. Walter Hansen)
  2. GREETINGS AND GRACE (1:1,2)
  3. PRAYERS FOR PARTNERS (1:3-11)
  4. REPORTS OF GOSPEL MINISTRY (1:12-26)
  5. The Progress of the Gospel (1:12-14)
  6. Motives for Preaching Christ (1:15-18a)
  7. Courage to Honor Christ by Life or by Death (1:18b-26)
  8. IMPERATIVES FOR CITIZENS WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL (1:27-2:18)
  9. Stand Firm Together in Suffering (1:27-30)
  10. Think of the Interests of Others (2:1-4)
  11. Focus on Christ (2:5-11)
  12. A Community Mindful of Christ (2:5)
  13. The Christ Hymn: Humility (2:6-8)
  14. The Christ Hymn: Exaltation (2:9-11)
  15. RECOMMENDATIONS OF CHRIST-LIKE SERVANTS (2:19-30)
  16. Timothy (2:19-25)
  17. Epaphroditus (2:2-30)
  18. DISCLOSURES OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (3:1-21)
  19. Boasting in Privileges (3:1-6)
  20. Losing All to Know Christ (3:7-11)
  21. Pressing on toward the Goal (3:12-14)
  22. Mentoring Others (3:15-17)
  23. Mourning over the Enemies of the Cross (3:18-19)
  24. Expecting Christ’s Ultimate Victory (3:20-21)
  25. FINAL APPEALS (4:1-9)
  26. Be of One Mind in the Lord (4:1-3)
  27. Rejoice in the Lord (4:4-9)
  28. THANKS FOR GIFTS FROM PARTNERS (4:10-20)
  29. GREETINGS AND GRACE (4:21-23)