Philippians

Book: Philippians

Background:

The church at Philippi was the first established in Europe, on
Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 16). Lydia (a seller
of fabric), a demon possessed fortune telling girl, and a
Philippian jailor were among the first to become saved there.
When Paul was in Thessalonica, the Philippians sent him gifts
on at least two different occasions (Philippians 4:14-16).
Paul stopped at Philippi again on his third journey (Acts
20:6).

Purpose:

To inform them of the circumstances of Paul's imprisonment
(1:1-30), to address the need for unity (2:1-8; 4:2-3), to
inform them of a future visit by Timothy (2:18-24), to explain
Epaphroditus' illness and recovery (2:25-30), to warn them
about false teachers (3:1-4:1), to thank them for financial
assistance (4:10-20), and greet them all (4:21-23).

Contents:

2:5-11 is one of the most important doctrinal passages in the
Bible, as it explains the manner in which Christ humbled
Himself to secure our salvation.

Practical unity, or fellowship in the gospel, appears to be
the most abundant theme. Such words as "one mind",
"fellowship", "fellow laborer", "fellow", "share", "kindred",
"with", "same", "like", and "partake", permeate the text, with
at least 27 references. Also, it seems that after each
summary "therefore", comes a call to share one mind (2:1;
3:15; 4:1-3).

Rejoicing is also a major thread, but even this seems to issue
from fellowship in the gospel. For example, 1:4-5 says Paul
was "offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day
until now" (1:4-5). Or again, in connection with joy (1:25),
the text reminds, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy
of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or
remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in
one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of
the gospel..." (1:27). And again, the central thrust of the
letter seems to be "...make my joy complete by being of the
same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent
on one purpose" (2:2). There are at least 14 references to
rejoicing, but even these seem to be tied to practical unity,
or fellowship in the gospel ministry.

The main point of the letter, then, is that the Philippians
share one attitude, or mind, in promoting the faith of the
gospel. Chapter one describes a "mind" of love, which abounds
in wisdom, approves those things which are excellent, stays
sincere (single in motive) and blameless, and bears the fruit
of righteousness. Chapter two refers to a mind of humility,
which yields its rights, serves others needs, obeys God,
suffers wrong, and follows godly examples. Chapter three
speaks of a spiritual mind which worships God in spirit,
counts human merit loss, desires Christ's righteousness, hopes
for Christ's resurrection glory, and thus minds heavenly
things. Chapter four describes a mind of peace, which lives
in harmony with other believers, rejoices in everything, shows
moderation, makes its requests known to God, dwells on
praiseworthy things, and stays content.

Key Verse:

"...make my joy complete by being of the same mind,
maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one
purpose... (2:2, 5)

Theme:

You should share Christ's mind.

Outline:

1. By abounding in love (1)

2. By humbling yourself (2)

3. By worshipping God in spirit (3)

4. By promoting peace (4)

Text: Philippians 1

Theme: You should share Christ's mind.

1. By abounding in love (1)

Chapter one describes a "mind" of love, which abounds in
wisdom, approves those things which are excellent, stays
sincere (single in motive) and blameless, and bears the fruit
of righteousness.

Even from prison, Paul rejoices because of the Philippians
participation, with him, in the gospel ministry. Confident
that God would continue to work in them, he prayed their love
would abound more and more in real knowledge and discernment,
so they would approve the things that are excellent. The
result of this discerning love is that they test their
motives, approve the single motive of love, and thus stay
sincere and blameless, being filled with the fruit of Christ's
righteousness (1-11; cf. John 15:1-17).

An example of this seems to be in the motive with which one
preaches the gospel. Because of Paul's imprisonment, he got a
chance to witness to Roman authorities and soldiers. Other
christians were also becoming bold to preach Christ. Some
preached out of a sense of envy and rivalry, hoping to make
things worse for Paul, but others, with pure motives, preached
Christ out of love, knowing that Paul was appointed for the
defense of the gospel. In either case, Paul rejoiced that
Christ was being preached, and that whether he lived or died,
Christ would be exalted through his ministry (12-26).

In contrast to serving God out of selfish ambition (17),
abounding in love, then, seems to involve testing your
motives, approving the single motive of love, and striving in
this attitude (without being alarmed by your opponents [28]),
together with other believers, for the faith of the gospel
(27-28).

Text: Philippians 2

Theme: You should share Christ's mind.

2. By humbling yourself (2)

One attitude which creates division and strife, is pride. To
promote a united fellowship in the gospel, then, chapter two
instructs believers to share the humble mind of Christ (1-2).

Rather than acting from selfishness ("contention", "putting
self forward": used once in ancient literature to denote a
"self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair
means"--Online Bible) or empty conceit (as those who preached
Christ out of envy and strife [cf. 1:12-20]), the humble mind
regards others as more important than itself (3). When a
person considers other more important than himself, they look
out for their interests, or well being.

This is the attitude Christ showed when He came to "seek and
save that which was lost" (cf. Luke 19:10). Although Christ
is God, He did not cling to His divine rights (6). Rather, He
took the form of a servant. This included taking on human
nature (1 Timothy 3:16), and serving man (7; cf. John 13). He
obeyed God's will (cf. Hebrews 10:7-9), by becoming obedient
to the point of death on a cross (8), in pursuing our interest
of redemption. As a result of this humility, God highly
exalted Christ above every other name (cf. 1 Peter 5:6).

Believers should put this attitude into practice, as they work
out their own salvation with fear and trembling. This is not
working "for" salvation, but working it "out", living in
accord with the salvation God has already wrought and is still
working (cf. 1:6; Romans 6:1-14; Ephesians 2:8-10). The
following verse explains, "for it is God who is at work in you
both to will and do of His good pleasure" (13). God is the
one who both motivates and enables the believer to do what He
wants. By faith in their position in Christ, through the
power of the Spirit, believers yield themselves to God's will.

Such obedience includes doing "all things without grumbling
("a secret debate or displeasure not openly avowed" [Online
Bible]; cf. Exodus 16:7-8; Numbers 14:27; Acts 6:1; John 7:12;
1 Cor. 10:10; 1 Pet. 4:9, etc.) or disputing (such as the
disciples reasoning which of them would be the greatest [Luke
9:46, 47]). When put to practice, this attitude shines as a
credible testimony of the gospel of Christ to the lost world
(cf. John 17:23), as it holds fast (to mark, stay with, or pay
attention to [Luke 14:7; Acts 19:22; 1 Timothy 4:16) the
teachings of God's Word.

A person whose humble motive is to look out for the interests
of others, can rejoice even when such service leads him to
death (17-18). Timothy showed this attitude when he shared
Christ's concern for the Philippians interests, by serving
with Paul like a "child serving his father" (19-22).
Epaphroditus shared Christ's mind when he ministered to Paul
in prison, becoming sick to the point of death in the process
25-30).

Chapter two calls us to share Christ's humble mind by
regarding others as more important, looking out for other's
needs, yielding our rights, obeying God, and following godly
examples.

Text: Philippians 3

Theme: You should share Christ's mind.

3. By wanting spiritual things (3)

Paul warns against false, earthly minded teachers, and asks
the Philippians to follow his heavenly minded example instead.
The false teachers were Jews who tried to add circumcision to
faith in Christ as a term for salvation (2-3; cf. Acts 15;
Galatians). They trusted and gloried in their religious
achievements (2 Cor. 11:18; Galatians 6:13), and "set their
minds on earthly things" (Philippians 3:19; NAS).

By contrast, real christians place no confidence in the flesh
(3). They count such "things" as personal achievement
worthless(7), and desire instead, the righteousness which
comes from God through faith in Christ, apart from human merit
(2 Cor. 5:21; ; 3 - 4; Galatians; 5:1ff.). By faith, through
the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, they press forward,
forgetting past failures, and walking in accord with their new
spiritual nature and position of righteousness in Christ (2
Corinthians 17, 21; Romans 6; Ephesians 1). They do not think
they have achieved sinless perfection in their daily lives,
but set their hope on salvation from their fallen nature and
body at the return of Christ from heaven (10-16; cf. Romans 7
- 8; 1 Peter 1:3-25).

Rather than follow the example of those who are enemies of the
cross of Christ (cf. Galatians 6:12), whose end is destruction
(see Galatians 1:9), whose god is their appetite, whose glory
is in their shame, and who thus "mind earthly things" (18-19),
true believers are citizens of heaven, and should follow
Paul's heavenly minded example (17, 20; cf. Ephesians 1:3;
2:6). Romans 6 says the Spirit has placed us into Christ's
death to sin and resurrection to newness of life. Ephesians
2:6 says God has "raised us up together [with Christ], and
made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus".
Chapter 1 says God has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Since they
are seated in Christ in the heavenlies, are blessed in Him
with every spiritual blessing, and wait for Him to return from
heaven, to save them from the presence of sin in their lives
(Romans 7 - 8) with His resurrection power, believers are
citizens of heaven (20), and should set their minds on
heavenly things.

Chapter three speaks of a spiritual mind which worships God in
spirit, counts human merit loss, desires Christ's
righteousness, hopes for Christ's resurrection glory, and thus
minds heavenly things. You should share Christ's mind by
wanting spiritual things.

Text: Philippians 4

Theme: You should share Christ's mind.

4. By promoting peace (4)

Chapter four describes a mind of peace, unity, and security
("stand firm"), which lives in harmony with other believers,
rejoices in everything, shows moderation, makes its requests
known to God, dwells on praiseworthy things, and learns to
stay content. You should share Christ's mind of peace.

By living in harmony (1-3). Paul urged Euodia and Syntyche to
share one mind "in the Lord". When two believers share the
mind of Christ, they will be in agreement with one another,
and this promotes unity and a firm stand. Sharing one cause
also promotes peaceful harmony. Paul calls on yokefellow"
(may be a proper name [Suzugos] or emphasize the unity they
share in the gospel ministry) to help the women live in
harmony, and recalls their former ways of laboring together in
the gospel.

By rejoicing always (4). Once again, the epistle calls upon
the Philippians to "rejoice" always, and once again, it is in
close connection with fellowship, unity, and sharing one mind
in the work of gospel ministry.

By showing moderation (5). The word "moderation" comes from
root words meaning to "be like". In 1 Timothy 3:3, it is
translated "patient", and contrasted with being a "brawler",
and "covetous". Titus 3:2 calls it being "gentle" and "meek",
as opposed to speaking evil about others, or brawling. James
3:17 describes it as being reasonable, easy to be entreated,
full of mercy, and without partiality or hypocrisy. The
reason for showing this attitude is because "the Lord is
near". This may refer to the fact that He could return at any
moment (cf. James 5:7-9).

By asking God for what you need (6-7). The person who is
"careful", is one who is anxious about many things (6). The
word comes from a root meaning "to divide", or "to distract".
It describes a mind which is divided into multiple parts by
worry. Luke 10:38-42 (NAS) illustrates the usage of this word:

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain
village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening
to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was
distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him,
and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to
do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the
Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are
*worried* and bothered about so many things; but only a few
things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the
good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

A Rather than allow our mind to become divided or distracted
by multiple worries, we should ask God, with thanksgiving, for
the things we are concerned about. The result of this is that
"the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (7).

By thinking about excellent things (8-9). The believer should
allow his mind to dwell on those things which are "true",
"honorable", "right", "pure" (as contrasted with moral
impurity), "lovely", "of good repute", excellent, or "worthy
of praise".

By practicing what you learn (9). In addition to dwelling on
excellent things, though, believers should put into practice
what they have learned from God's Word and godly examples (9).
The result of this is that they experience inner peace from
God.

By staying content (10-20). Paul rejoiced that the
Philippians revived their concern for him, by sending
Epaphroditus to supply his needs in prison. However, Paul had
learned how to be content (to consider "sufficient") with
humble means or prosperity. This was because he could do "all
things through Christ" who strengthened him (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9).
You should share Christ's mind of peace.

--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
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