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Philippians
Overview
■ Authorship: Apostle Paul
■ Recipients: The Church in Philippi
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Macedonian Call (Paul’s 2nd Journey-Acts 16:9-12)
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Paul visited Philippi in his 2nd Missionary Journey
■ Philippi:
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356 B.C. named after King Philip (father of Alexander the Great)
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Roman colony – “Italic Right” (full right of Roman citizenship) [Acts 16:12]. So, 1:27 – “conduct yourselves…” (Literally – “live as citizens”) and 3:20 – “our citizenship is in heaven” would have special meanings to the Philippians.
■ Date: ~ A.D. 62
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Paul wrote the four Prison Epistles during his Roman imprisonment – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon
■ Theme: Only in Christ are “TRUE” unity, joy and contentment possible
■ Purpose:
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Paul expresses his love and gratitude for the believers at Philippi for their love and partnership (Phil. 4:2, 15-18).
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Paul takes the opportunity to exhort them to a lifestyle of unity, holiness and joy.
*Charts from Talk thru the Bible by Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa
Philippians 1
God is faithful, He will complete the good work that He began in you.
Which part of Philippians 1 inspires you the most?
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God’s Faithfulness: God will continue to work in and through us the good work (salvation) that He has begun in us. Phil. 1:6 describes the process from Salvation (“began a good work”) to Sanctification (“carry it on”), to Glorification (“to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”). Don’t feel discouraged when you encounter trials or even stumble in the process. Commit your cares upon Him, trust in His faithfulness for He will carry you through.
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Paul’s Testimony: Paul desired to have Christ exalted in his body, whether by life or by death (v.20). How could you have Christ exalted in your body by life or by death?
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Your Philosophy: Paul proclaimed, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (v.21). How do you view life and death? Try to fill in Paul’s assertion, “For to me, to live is _______________ and to die is _______________” (e.g. to live is to “gratify oneself,” “enjoy life,” “be successful,” etc., and to die is “tragedy,” “scary,” “hopeless,” etc.).
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Your own insight: (fill in yourself)
Meditation and Application:
Meditate on the above questions along with the necessary actions. Commit your life to God, memorize and meditate on Phil. 1:21 throughout this coming week, and pray that Christ could be exalted in your body by life or by death.