NTS013 Philippians
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Author: Paul .
Author: Paul .
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
What about Timothy?
Timothy probably weighed in on the conversation.
Early church fathers and scholars today agree that Paul is the author.
Internal evidence supports that.
This shows how closely they worked together.
Paul shares some personal details about his life.
We will give Paul credit for authorship.
Type of literature: Pauline Epistle and Prison Epistle.
Type of literature: Pauline Epistle and Prison Epistle.
The final of the 4 prison epistles written by Paul.
So… Paul wrote from Prison.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
He also had people who professed Christ but opposed him.
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.
16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
Though he was in prison and opposed, Paul was optimistic.
Audience: The Philippian church was primarily made up of Gentiles.
Audience: The Philippian church was primarily made up of Gentiles.
Because Philippi was primarily a military center, it did not have many Jews. There was no synagogue in the city
(it took 10 Jewish men who headed households to start one). In the New Testament, no Hebrew names are found among the converts of this city.
There was a meeting place outside the city for prayer.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
Paul planted this church on his second missionary journey.
Along with Silas, Timothy, and Luke.
While at Troas, Paul received a vision of a man a calling him to come to Macedonia.
He sailed from Troas and eventually ended up in Philippi.
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,
12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
This church was started by divine intervention.
I’m sure they heard the story several times.
The church had financially contributed to Paul at least 3 times before this letter.
Once “during” the writing.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
The letter is written about 12 years after the founding of the church.
The background of the city.
The background of the city.
Originally known as Krenides, (meaning: fountains or springs, because many were located there), Philippi was given its name in 356 B.C. by Philip of Macedon (the father of Alexander The Great) who captured it (likely because of its gold mines and strategic location) and renamed it after himself.
Philippi was “the chief city of that part (the western part) of Macedonia” (Acts 16:12).
It was situated between the mountain ranges of Pangaeus and Haemus, about 8-10 miles from the coastal city of Neopolis and the Aegean Sea.
The Gangites River (where Lydia and her household were converted was located just outside the city.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
It was located along a major trade route called the Egnatian Way (Via Egnatia) which connected Europe with Asia and Rome. This (along with its gold mines) was a major reason for its prosperity.
They took pride in being a Roman colony.
We would consider them a patriotic city.
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.
21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
Theme: proper Christian attitude during suffering.
Theme: proper Christian attitude during suffering.
Our theology determines our attitude and our attitude determines our actions and reactions.
The purpose for Paul’s writing.
The purpose for Paul’s writing.
1. To tell them that Epaphroditus had recovered from a serious illness.
1. To tell them that Epaphroditus had recovered from a serious illness.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,
30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Though Paul had healed others, he did not heal Epaphroditus.
This suggests that miracles were not used for personal or selfish reasons.
2. To encourage them in their faith.
2. To encourage them in their faith.
3. To assure them that he was well.
3. To assure them that he was well.
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
4. To thank them for their continued support.
4. To thank them for their continued support.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
With the opposition he was facing, the support was a big deal!
The style of Paul’s writing.
The style of Paul’s writing.
The style is reflective of the purpose.
Philippians is the most personal letter written.
Philippians is the most personal letter written.
He is close to these people.
He is overflowing with love for these people.
They have a great love for Paul.
Philippians is the most informal letter written.
Philippians is the most informal letter written.
A simple thank you note and catching up.
Their mutual affection is obvious.
Yet Philippians contains some of the most precise Christology in the Bible.
Paul writes as one who is secure in the place he occupies in the hearts of the readers.
Paul writes as one who is secure in the place he occupies in the hearts of the readers.
Key verses: 1:21 and 2:8
Key verses: 1:21 and 2:8
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Interesting Facts.
Interesting Facts.
Philippians has 4 chapters containing 104 verses.
Philippians has 4 chapters containing 104 verses.
The word “rejoice” is used 9 times in Philippians.
The word “rejoice” is used 9 times in Philippians.
This is more than any other book in the New Testament.
The word “joy” is used 6 times.
The word “joy” is used 6 times.
This is more than in any other Epistle Paul wrote.
“Christ” is used 37 times.
“Christ” is used 37 times.
This is more than one-third of all the verses in Philippians.
There are no Old Testament quotes used in Philippians.
There are no Old Testament quotes used in Philippians.
Why do you think this is?
An Outline of Philippians.
An Outline of Philippians.
from Scofield Reference Notes
1. Christ, the believer’s life, rejoicing in suffering.(1:1-30)
2. Christ, the believer’s pattern, rejoicing in lowly service. (2:1-30)
3. Christ, the believer’s object, rejoicing despite imperfections . (3:1-21)
4. Christ, the believer’s strength, rejoicing over anxiety. (4:1-23)