PHILIPPIANS---PRISON PONDERINGS

INTRODUCTION

1.    The church

A.   This epistle was written to the first church founded in Europe. (Acts 16:9-40)

1)    The church was planted during Paul’s second missionary journey, A.D. 52.

2)    Paul was accompanied by Silas, Timothy and probably Luke.

B.   The founding

1)    Paul first preached at a gathering of women on the river bank. (Acts 16:13)

2)    Lydia was converted, then furnished him a home while he continued his work in the city. (Acts 16:14, 15)

3)    The next recorded conversions were the household of Lydia.

4)    This was followed by the salvation of a demon-possessed girl. (Acts 16:16-18)

5)    The only other recorded convert was the jailer. (Acts 16:30, 31)

2.    The persecution (Acts 16:19-24)

A.   Persecution arose here from Gentile sources.

B.   Only twice in the book of Acts is Gentile persecution of the Gospel noted - both times because the Gospel threatened financial interests. (Acts 16:16-24; 19:23-41)

3.    The people

A.   They were loyal to Paul - contrast both the Corinthian and Galatian churches.

B.   They helped him with his financial needs. (4:18)

C.   They were completely free from any doctrinal errors.

D.   Their only recorded problem was between two schismatic women. (4:2)

CHARACTER OF THE LETTER

1.    It is an informal letter with no logical plan or doctrinal arguments.

2.    It is noted for its tenderness, warnings, entreaties and exhortations.

3.    It is a letter of thanks for their aid to him. (4:18)

4.    Quotable Quotes:

A.   Bishop of Durham: “One of the fairest and dearest regions of the Book of God.”

B.   “It hardly seems possible that Paul is writing from prison with chains holding him. His words seem to come from a light heart. It is evident that the soul of the apostle is free! There is an atmosphere of joy even from prison. It is the sweetest of all Paul’s letters. There is no scolding. It is more of a love letter which reveals the apostle’s heart to this church which surpassed all others in devotion.” ---Mears

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE EPISTLE

1.    The letter was written by Paul from a prison in Rome.

2.    Paul wrote

A.   To express his appreciation of their fellowship, his confidence in their spiritual progress, and his ambition and hopes for them. (1:3-11)

B.   To report on his circumstances, hopes and fears (1:12-26)

C.   To exhort them to unity, humility and consistency (1:27-2:18)

D.   To inform them of his purpose to send Timothy and Epaphroditus to them (2:19-30)

E.   To appeal for the reconciliation of Euodias and Syntyche (4:2, 3)

F.    To admonish them to joyfulness, prayerfulness, and the pursuit of all that is good (4:4-9)

G.   To express his gratitude for their recent gift (4:10-20)

RECURRENT IDEAS

1.    Christian joy and rejoicing (1:4, 18, 25; 2:16-18, 28; 3:1, 3; 4:1 ,4)

2.    Gain in Christ (1:21-23; 3:7, 8; 4:19)

3.    Teaching by example

A.   Of Christ (2:5-11)

B.   Of Timothy (2:19-24)

C.   Of Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

D.   Of Paul (3:1-4:9)

OUTSTANDING FEATURE

“But we miss everything in this epistle if we fail to perceive and appreciate its wonderful four-fold presentation of Christ in relation to the experience of the individual believer.”

  I.    Christ is the believer’s LIFE - “To me to live is Christ.” (1:21)

 II.    Christ is the believer’s MIND - “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (2:5)

III.   Christ is the believer’s GOAL - “That I may know Him.” (3:10)

IV.   Christ is the believer’s STRENGTH - “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (4:13)                                                                                ---J. S. Baxter

OUTLINE OF BOOK

  I.    PAUL’S TRIUMPHANT EXPERIENCES (ch. 1)

A.   His pen (1:1-8)

B.   His prayers (1:9-11)

C.   His purpose (1:12-18)

D.   His prospects (1:19-26)

E.   His pulpit (1:27-30)

 II.    PAUL’S TREMENDOUS EXAMPLES (ch. 2)

A.   The Lord: triumphant in sacrifice (2:1-18)

1.    The implications for Christ (2:5-11)

2.    The implications for Christians (2:1-4, 12-18)

B.   Timothy: triumphant in service (2:19-24)

C.   Epaphroditus: triumphant in sickness (2:25-30)

III.   PAUL’S TYPICAL EXHORTATIONS (chs. 3-4)

A.   You cannot defraud a man who knows the power of proper theology. (3:1-21)

B.   You cannot defile a man who knows the power of positive thinking. (4:1-9)

C.   You cannot defeat a man who knows the power of perpetual thanksgiving. (4:11-20)

IV.   CONCLUSION (4:21-23)

                                                                                                                    --Exploring the Scriptures;                                                                                                               John Phillips