Philippians

Lesson 1

Phil. 1:1-30

Introduction:

Philippi was a city in the province of Macedonia (now, NE Greece). Philippi was a strategic city in the Roman empire because it sat along the main road that traveled from east to west. This makes Philippi an important city in which to establish a Church. Acts 16 tells the story of Paul’s first visit to the city, and the story of Paul and Silas being jailed. It is believed that this letter was written from Rome. In 1:7 Paul speaks of his imprisonment but he was under house arrest. While having guards stationed at the residence, Paul was free to move about the grounds and to receive guests (as we will see). I’ll have more about his circumstance in a moment. Paul writes to the church to a) update them on himself; b) to encourage them in the faith; c) to warn them about the Judaizers; d) to tell them about Epaphroditus; e) to correct divisions in the church; and f) to thank them for their support and to rejoice with him in his circumstance.

I. What is Paul’s partnership with the Philippians?

a) “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing (some translations will say partnership) in the gospel from the first day until now (Phil. 1:3-5).” Paul traveled to Philippi on his 1st Missionary Journey (Act. 16) and the members of the church received him well and throughout his ministry, they gave him support (we’ll speak specifically about this later). So, in many ways, they were partners with Paul; they shared in his deliverance of the gospel.

b) Not only have they shared in Paul’s ministry, they are currently sharing in his imprisonment (v. 7). As I said, Paul is really under house arrest which isn’t nearly as harsh as imprisonment sounds. Notice in v. 7 Paul says, “It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.” This is one of the reasons that it is believed that this letter was written in Rome because Paul speaks of his defense. In Acts 25, Paul is brought first before Festus and then Agrippa; but as a Roman citizen, he has a right to appeal any verdict to Caesar and he is sent to Rome. So, scholars believe that the defense Paul speaks about is in Acts 25 and he is now in Rome awaiting trial.

c) Even here in Rome, the Philippians have ministered to him (I won’t say much more here because we will talk about this later). That they have ministered to him even while being imprisoned shows their partnership with Paul in the gospel and he is thankful to them for this partnership.

II. How is the gospel proclaimed?

a) In speaking of his imprisonment, Paul says that this has actually helped to spread the gospel among his guards (vs. 12-13). The guards and others around him recognize that he is not being imprisoned because of a crime but solely because of Christ.

b) Knowing that Paul is imprisoned because of his faith, other believers have been emboldened to proclaim Christ throughout the city without fear (v. 14). This has produced a rivalry in the city: some proclaim Christ out of jealousy of Paul, others by envy. Some proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition with the intention of causing Paul more suffering; others out of love (see vs. 14-17).

c) “What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice (v. 18).” Paul believes that the motivation doesn’t matter as long as Christ is proclaimed, and the Philippian church is sharing in this, both because of the assistance they have given him, and in their prayers.

d) Paul believes that this will aid him in his upcoming trial (v. 19); but in either case, “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death (v. 20).”

III. How should we live?

a) In v. 27, Paul says, “live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…” In Paul’s time, living worthy would include being a good citizen of the city. A good citizen would live responsibly and would fulfill one’s duties to the city. And while one is an earthly citizen, the gospel calls one to be a citizen of the heavenly city. To be a good citizen here means to live according to Christ and Christ’s commands. In fact, being a good citizen of the heavenly city would also produce a good citizen in the earthly city.

b) Paul goes on to encourage the Philippians to unite together and be of one mind and one spirit; and to work together for the sake of the gospel (v. 27). He tells them not to be frightened by their opponents because their opposition will be a sign of destruction for them; but a sign of deliverance to the Philippians because this is from God (v. 28).

Next Week: Phil. 2:1-30

Questions for the week:

1. What is Paul’s Christology?

2. How should we live?

3. Who is Epaphroditus?