The Prison Epistles: Philippians

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS:
AN ANTIDOTE FOR ANXIETY—REJOICE!
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Dr. Paul Manuel—2017

(This is one of four posts, each studying one of the four epistles the apostle wrote while in prison in Rome.)  

Outline:

I. Paul addresses the Philippian church (Philippians 1:1-30).

A. He extends a greeting (vv. 1-1 1).
B. He describes his situation (vv. 12-26).
C. He recognizes their struggle (vv. 27-30).

Application: You should be able to keep from becoming discouraged by considering what God will do for you ultimately (2 Cor 4:17).

II. Paul advocates a worthy lifestyle (Philippians 2:1-30).

A. He extols Christ's humility (vv. 1-1 1).
B. He encourages their progress (vv. 12-18).
C. He commends his companions (vv. 19-30).

Application: Although you must consider the needs of others, you must recognize that there is a hierarchy to meeting others' needs (Gal 6:10).

III. Paul cautions them against overconfidence (Philippians 3:1-21).

A. He reviews his lineage (vv. 1-11).
B. He presses toward the goal (vv. 12-16).
C. He awaits the glorious return (vv. 17-21).

Application: God calls you to be involved with His program, but He will not force you to play a particular role (Matt 22:14).

IV. Paul gives some closing remarks (Philippians 4:1-23).

A. He offers his encouragement (vv. 1-9).
B. He extols their generosity (vv. 10-20).
C. He extends a benediction (vv. 21-23).

Application: Wherever possible it is best to simplify your life, whether your expectations or your expenditures (1 Tim 6:8).

Addendum: The Value of Rejoicing

Paul's letter to the Philippians (62) was one of four epistles he composed from a Roman prison after his third missionary journey to Asia Minor.¹ The missive was in response to a visit from Epaphroditus who brought Paul a contribution from the church and then remained with him for a while:

I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs....because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. (2:25, 30).

It was good of you to share in my troubles.... I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (4:14, 18)

I. Paul addresses the Philippian church (Philippians 1:1-30).

A. He extends a greeting (Philippians 1:1-11).

Phil 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus² at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul uses "saints" as a designation for Christians in general. It is not a special class of believers but a common title the apostle also uses in his other letters:

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints (Rom 1:7).
To the church of God in Corinth. . . with all the saints throughout Achaia (2 Cor 1:1b).
To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: (Eph 1:1b).

The term "overseers" is another New Testament designation for elders (distinct from deacons):³

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might...appoint elders in every town.... An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless.... (Titus 1:5-7)

Phil 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul begins this letter as he begins many of his other letters, with thanksgiving for his readers. Then he reviews their spiritual progress. The starting point (i.e., the first step) of God's "good work" is justification, and the ending point (i.e., the final step) of God's "good work" is glorification. The "day of Christ Jesus" (v. 6) is when the Savior will return to culminate God's "good work."

Phil 1:7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Even in prison Paul continues his mission "defending... the gospel" (v. 7) and continues to express his concern for others (v. 8). The apostle's prayer for knowledge (v. 9) is for more than a general awareness; it is for a degree of understanding that exceeds normal ken (so the synonymous phrase "depth of insight"). He again mentions "the day of Christ Jesus" (v. 10) because it will be the time of his readers' glorification and reward (2:16). By being "blameless" (v. 10) Paul does not mean being "perfect," as he makes clear later: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" (3:12). Rather, the word ("blameless") connotes an overall compliance with God's instructions, "without stumbling in their faith" (O'Brien 1991:78).

B. He describes his situation (Philippians 1:12-26).

Phil 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.⁴

Paul is not discouraged by his imprisonment, suggesting that he is looking not just at the unpleasantness of his immediate circumstance but at its ultimate benefit, how this is advancing God's greater plan, which enables him to rejoice (v. 18).

Phil 1:19 I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Despite Paul's depressing characterization of his imprisonment, he is not contemplating suicide.⁵ Rather, he is explaining how he is making the best of a bad situation. He does not deny his bad state, nor does he expect it to improve soon. Rather, he looks for what positive outcome God may produce (v. 13).⁶

C. He recognizes their struggle (Philippians 1:27-30).

Phil 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.⁷ Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending⁸ as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,⁹ 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

To conduct oneself "worthy of the gospel of Christ" is to maintain one's commitment to the Savior despite the resistance one may encounter. Moreover, a Christian should not seek suffering (v. 29). If a believer is to suffer because of his commitment to Christ, it should be in the natural course of his living for Christ and not by his own inducement.

Application: It is easy to become so caught up in your own difficulties that you lose sight of the good God may be doing in other areas. It is also easy to forget how those same difficulties pale in contrast with the benefits you will experience later. As Paul says in another letter: "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Cor 4:17). You are probably facing conditions less dire than Paul's (confinement in a first-century prison), so you should be able to keep from becoming discouraged by considering what God may be doing in other areas, what God will do for you ultimately, and you should be able thereby to "rejoice." ....

For the remainder of this study with its Bibliography and Endnotes see the pdf (19 pages) here.