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LESSON 7 • The Letter to the Philippians
“That You Might Believe and Have Life In His Name” (John 20:31)
Preparation for New Testament Survey, March 19, 2006
The Letter to the Philippians
INTRODUCTION
According to the Book of Acts, the church Paul founded at the Roman colony of Philippi was his first on European soil (Acts 16:12-40; Phil. 4:15) and they had endeared themselves to him, even to the point of financially supported his ministry (4:15-16; 2 Cor. 11:7).
This is a letter of joy. Joy permeates its pages from start to finish. But this joy is not forged out of privilege and abundance. This is joy in the midst of hard situations. Paul is writing from prison. He faces the very real possibility of execution.
Epaphroditus had come to visit Paul bringing him gifts from the church (4:18) and the time had come for him to return to Philippi (2:25-29) and Paul took this opportunity of sending with him this letter of joy.
Philippi was located in the Roman province of Macedonia (modern Greece), eight miles from theMediterranean Sea in a fertile area known for its fresh water springs and gold mines.
The church at Philippi was founded during Paul’s second missionary journey. This had not been an easy journey for Paul. It had begun badly. Barnabas, his companion on the first missionary journey, wanted to take along Mark. But Paul would not hear of it, since Mark had deserted them on the previous trip. So Paul and Barnabas split up (Acts 15:36-41). Paul set out this time with Silas, but after a time they found themselves struggling with where God wanted them to go (Acts 16:6-7). It was then that Paul had his famous “night vision” in which a man from Macedoniabeckoned him to “come over and help us” (Acts 16:9). He sailed almost immediately from Asia and after two days arrived at the Macedonian seaport of Neapolis. From there they traveled toPhilippi to begin work.
The Jewish population was so small in Philippi there was no synagogue. Instead, Paul met with a group of women on the Sabbath by the banks of the river Gangites in order to pray. There he met Lydia, a successful merchant who traded purple cloth. She listened to Paul’s message and was converted. Her house became the center of missionary activity in Philippi.
Where is your place of prayer?
MONDAY
Paul soon ran into trouble in Philippi (Acts 16:16-40). He cast out a demon from a fortune-telling slave girl who immediately lost her ability to predict the future. This outraged her owners who saw that they stood to lose a great deal of money now that the girl was out from under the bondage of the demon. So they had Paul and Silas thrown in jail. That night, while the two of them were singing hymns and praying, an earthquake shook open the jail. The jailer saw the open door, and fearing that all his prisoners had fled, he was about to commit suicide. But Paul stopped him and reported that all the prisoners were still there. With great emotion, the jailer inquired of Paul and Silas how he could be saved. That night, he and his family were baptized.
The next day when the magistrates discovered that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they released them with great alarm requesting they leave the city.
Paul writes this letter to the Philippians out of a full heart, journaling his thoughts as they came to him and so here we find the warmth, affection, tenderness, and even sweetness of a “letter of friendship.” You’ll not be surprised to find throughout this letter the overtones of “fellowship,” “unity,” and “oneness.” As you read through this letter, highlight these verses in your Bible which will become a lasting reminder of these key concepts.
Paul called upon these Christians to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (2:2). Instead of being self-seeking, they are to have an attitude of humility considering others better than themselves (2:3-4).
What is the tie that binds Christians into “koinonia”- a fellowship of believers? Paul would say there is one key reality that joins them together - - the Holy Spirit of God (2:1; 1:19, 27; 3:3; 4:23).
Paul also recognized they were united in the “fellowship of the gospel” (1:5, 27; 2:22; 4:3, 10-20)
TUESDAY
The tone of this letter is the same except in one place where Paul moves from a tone of encouragement to a stern warning against “the dogs” (3:2). He later would call this same group “enemies of the cross of Christ” (3:18). These were probably Jewish Christians who were trying to bind circumcision and other Jewish rituals onto the young converts (3:2-4). They really believed that it was by keeping the law that one gains favor with God.
Paul was angry when he lashed out against this Jewish propaganda. His choice words revealed his contempt for the fanatics who, in their zeal of proselytizing, had preyed upon young converts like scavenger dogs. Paul’s spiritualization of the Jewish rites is reminiscent of his words in Romans. In contrast to those men who prided themselves that the covenant sign was on the flesh, Paul wrote of others whose only glory is Christ Jesus.
In addition to this warning, there are a couple of other places where Paul voices concern: (1) some were preaching the gospel out of envy and rivalry (1:15-17); (2) some in the community were complaining and arguing (2:14); and (3) some of the mission workers were at odds with one another (4:2-3).
The “thanksgiving” section (1:3-11) serves as a thesis statement for Paul’s letter. It is more than a formal prayer. Through the language of praise and request, Paul sets forth the themes and the tone of his letter.
One thing of note in this introduction is the distinction he gives to “overseers and deacons” (1:1). What do you suppose is the reason for referencing both?
Reflect on Paul’s use of the term “partnership” in verses 3-6. What does it mean for God to be at work in us?
In response to Paul’s instruction, “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27), what does that life actually look like?
WEDNESDAY
Suffering is a part of our Christian existence (1:29-3) and is a sign of genuine ministry (1:15-25; 2:17; 3:8-10).
Recognizing that his problems were not the center of the universe, Paul proclaimed that whatever the outcome is, God is in charge (this is a theme he’ll return to again in 4:10-13). Undoubtedly Paul was uncomfortable and unnerved by his present situation, yet he recognized it was serving God’s purpose by advancing the gospel and encouraging other Christians (1:12-14).
Paul knew that the only way Christians will survive in a hostile world and thrive in their faith is to be united. It is the incarnation of Christ – the Word becoming flesh, as John put it – that shapes the Christian life and Christian community. We are bound together by God through the life of Jesus Christ. He lived as a servant and so should we!
Philippians 2:1-4:3 is an extended demonstration of how Christian fellowship should shape the community’s identity. A statement of principle (2:1-4) is followed by a series of examples that illustrate it:
* Jesus (2:6-11);
* Paul (2:17; 3:2-16);
* Timothy (2:19-24);
* Epaphroditus (2:25-30).
A call to the imitation of these examples (3:17-21) is followed by a specific application to individual disputants (4:2-3).
In chapter 2:12-30, Paul portrays the road to faith as being a journey. Our salvation is a work in process. The confusion over what constitutes spiritual maturity is linked to our understanding of salvation. If salvation is viewed as totally man’s effort, apart from grace, then maturity will also be gauged by effort and works. On the other hand, if one views salvation as totally God’s work, then maturity will be totally dependent on God’s role in the Christian life. Either extreme can lead to a disastrous and miserable Christian existence.
In every Christian’s life, there is the tension between the “already” and “not yet.” How would you describe that tension in your life?
THURSDAY
Why did Jesus say in Matthew 5:20, “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven”?
Why does the balance sheet approach to righteousness endanger a person’s joy?
From Philippians 3:3, spiritual Israelis known by what three things? Do these three things characterize your life?
In Philippians 3:12, Paul uses a word translated in the NIV, “obtained.”Throughout this letter, there is a thread warning us against feeling we have “spiritually arrived.” With Jesus as our model, we are constantly to “press on” (3:12) or “strain toward what is ahead”(3:13) to know Christ more fully and to live out his life of servant-hood.
It is only the submissive mind that will overcome pride and that will enable us to take on the heart of a servant.
How can we take ourselves out of the equation and make “glorifying God” our central focus?
Paul’s conversion experience involved surrendering all of his accomplishments and credentials and devoting himself to gaining and knowing Christ! Like with Paul, this knowledge of Christ will bring us to the foot of the cross and transform our lives.
Identify in the space below the things in your life from which you currently derive pride and confidence that you need to surrender. Using Paul’s story as a model (3:4-11), write your story.
FRIDAY
Paul has spent the entire letter building to this point (4:1-9). Two influential women in the church, Euodia and Syntyche, were not getting along and their growing disagreement was threatening to tear the church apart. The leaders and the members of the congregation had failed to correct the situation.
The Greek word “parakaleo” translated “plead” was used by first century writers to indicate matters of critical importance (Rom. 12:1; Eph. 4:1; 1 Pet. 2:11-12). Paul uses the word twice in this short section.
Paul’s solution as he works toward reconciliation in this troubled church is to highlight the “peace of God.” He knows that it is through prayer that people can find the peace of God. Prayer is an act of humility in which we come before God acknowledging our sinfulness and the Lord’s sovereignty. It is also an act of communication, as we listen for the Lord’s voice. It is in this act of humility and listening that the God of peace acts, bringing a reconciliation the world will never understand.
Matthew recorded Jesus’ teaching on conflict resolution and these are helpful in fully understanding why Paul insisted action must be taken with Euodia and Syntyche (Matt.5:23-24 and 18:15-20). When it comes to conflict, Paul’s advice is to concentrate on the big things that really matter and avoid “winning at all cost.”
In closing, Paul thanks the church for the gift they had sent him; at the same time, he lets them know that he has learned to rely on spiritual resources declaring “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength”(4:13).
Among those who join Paul in sending greetings are “those who belong to Caesar’s household”(4:22) – indication of Paul’s successful preaching of the gospel to those in the service of Nero.
© 2006, Pleasant Valley Church of Christ
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