The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CHAPTER ONE

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is believed to be the last of the seven church epistles written, penned during his first imprisonment in Rome.

The Structure of the Epistle: Chapter 1: PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE Chapter 2: PAUL’S APPEAL TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST Chapter 3: PAUL’S APPEAL TO HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST Chapter 4: PAUL’S APPEAL TO HAVE THE PEACE OF CHRIST

Chapter 1: PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE A. Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1-11) B. Paul’s Afflictions Promote the Gospel (12-18) C. Paul’s Afflictions Exalt the Lord (19-26) D. Paul’s Exhortation to the Afflicted (27-30)

Chapter 1: PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE A. Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1-11) B. Paul’s Afflictions Promote the Gospel (12-18) C. Paul’s Afflictions Exalt the Lord (19-26) D. Paul’s Exhortation to the Afflicted (27-30)

Philippians 1:1-2 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:1-2 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul credits Timothy as his coauthor in five letters: Here, 2 Corinthians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon.

Philippians 1:1-2 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. In this letter, Paul presents himself simply as a servant of Jesus Christ.

MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY Philippians 1:1-2 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. “The Christians here are called saints; set apart for God, or sanctified by his Spirit… Out of Christ the best saints will appear sinners, and unable to stand before God.”

Philippians 1:1-2 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. It had been about ten years since Paul first came to Philippi in response to a vision now known as the Macedonian Call.

Acts 16:10-12 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

Philippians 1:1-2 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Biblically, there are only two offices in a church – the chief elder, called the bishop, and his assistants called deacons. A pastor may be a bishop, but a bishop is not necessarily a pastor.

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE Philippians 1:1-2 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:1-2 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. The only qualification for any of the gift ministries of Ephesians (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) is an authentic calling from God. As for bishops and deacons, Paul gives the criteria for these church offices in 1 Timothy 3:

1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:1-2 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. This was Paul’s signature greeting. There is no peace without grace; no grace without Jesus. This leads directly into his prayer.

Philippians 1:3-6 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY Philippians 1:3-6 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: “The best remembrance of our friends is to remember them at the throne of grace.”

Philippians 1:3-6 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: The Christians of Philippi came to Christ through Paul’s own ministry there, and they had remained faithful to the gospel and to him all these years.

Philippians 1:3-6 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Philippians 1:7-8 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:7-8 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. Throughout this letter, Paul is very open in his affection for this church.

Philippians 1:7-8 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. The presentation of the Gospel falls into these two categories: DEFENCE: That which repels or disproves a charge or accusation. CONFIRMATION: That which gives additional evidence; proof; convincing testimony;

Philippians 1:7-8 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. The Christians at Philippi were partakers of his grace – benefited by his ministry.

Philippians 1:9-11 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Paul did not pray for their health or wealth. He prayed that their spiritual fruit would abound as they remained faithful to the Lord.

Chapter 1: PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE A. Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1-11) B. Paul’s Afflictions Promote the Gospel (12-18) C. Paul’s Afflictions Exalt the Lord (19-26) D. Paul’s Exhortation to the Afflicted (27-30)

Many people abandoned Paul in his prison years Many people abandoned Paul in his prison years. Some thought his arrest proved he had fallen out of favor with God; others were afraid to be associated with him. A few years later, during his second imprisonment in Rome, he expressed his gratitude for those who were not ashamed of his bonds.

2 Timothy 1:15-17 15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

He himself was neither ashamed nor discouraged, knowing that he had committed his life into the Lord’s hands.

2 Timothy 1:11-12 11 …I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

2 Timothy 1:11-12 11 …I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Paul had committed his life to Jesus.

He assured the church at Philippi that everything that had happened to him was working together for the good of the Gospel.

Philippians 1:12 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Philippians 1:12 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Philippians 1:12 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. We are slow to believe this because we think in selfish terms – for OUR good, not the good of the gospel. Paul gives two examples of how his imprisonment was to the good of the gospel:

Philippians 1:13-14 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:13-14 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. The Praetorium or imperial guard all knew his testimony. Some of them undoubtedly served in the house of Caesar and talked about it there.

Philippians 1:13-14 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. People who gracefully and courageously persevere in the face of hardship and uncertainty inspire others to do the same. People with easy lives inspire only resentment and envy.

Paul knew that some of the talk about him and about Christ was ugly and derisive. But to him, any publicity for the gospel was good publicity.

Philippians 1:15-18 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Philippians 1:15-18 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 2 Timothy 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Philippians 1:15-18 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Paul knew that Christ would be magnified through him even in his imprisonment.

Chapter 1: PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE A. Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1-11) B. Paul’s Afflictions Promote the Gospel (12-18) C. Paul’s Afflictions Exalt the Lord (19-26) D. Paul’s Exhortation to the Afflicted (27-30)

Philippians 1:19-20 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

This what? The preaching of Christ. Philippians 1:19-20 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. This what? The preaching of Christ. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:19-20 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Paul expected that as Christ became better known, the charges against him would be dropped and he would be released. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

This was the outcome he desired, no matter what got him there. Philippians 1:19-20 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. This was the outcome he desired, no matter what got him there. Psalm 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21-24 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21-24 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. He knew the choice of life or die was NOT in his hands. Ecclesiastes 8:8a There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death… ITC Zapf Chancery 80

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21-24 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. But he saw the benefit of either end. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21-24 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. If he died, he knew he would awake from the sleep of death and be with Christ. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21-24 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. If he lived, he could continue to help others come to Christ and live more fully for him. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:25-26 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

“I know - By a prophetic notice given him while he was writing this. WESLEY’S NOTES Philippians 1:25-26 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. “I know - By a prophetic notice given him while he was writing this. That I shall continue some time longer with you – and doubtless he did see them after this confinement.” ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:25-26 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Chapter 1 closes with a word of exhortation to those who, like Paul, suffer affliction for the sake of gospel. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Chapter 1: PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE A. Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1-11) B. Paul’s Afflictions Promote the Gospel (12-18) C. Paul’s Afflictions Exalt the Lord (19-26) D. Paul’s Exhortation to the Afflicted (27-30)

Philippians 1:27 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Your conversation is your manner of life. Philippians 1:27 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Your conversation is your manner of life. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:27 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Your personality is who you are in front of an audience. Your character is who you are when you are not in the spotlight. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:27 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; The furtherance of the gospel demands the united effort of equally committed people. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:28 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

GENEVA BIBLE NOTES Philippians 1:28 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. “We ought not to be discouraged but rather encouraged by the persecutions which the enemies of the Gospel imagine and practise against us: seeing that the persecutions are certain witnesses from God himself both of our salvation, and of the destruction of the wicked.” ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:29 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:29 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Rare is the Christian who embraces the truth that it is a gift from God not only to believe, but also to suffer for the sake of the gospel. Consider the apostles’ state of mind after they’d been arrested and beaten: ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:29 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Acts 5:40-42 40 …and when they [the chief priests] had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:30 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Philippians 1:30 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. They had witnessed first-hand how Paul was “shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi” (1 Thess. 2:2), and knew of his confinement in Rome. But neither his suffering nor their own discouraged them from continuing in the faith. ITC Zapf Chancery 80

Overview - Philippians 1 1 Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love towards them, for the fruits of their faith, and fellowship in his sufferings; 9 daily praying to him for their increase in grace; 12 he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome; 21 and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death; 27 exhorting them to unity; 28 and to fortitude in persecution.

The Structure of Philippians Chapter 1: PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE Chapter 2: PAUL’S APPEAL TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST Chapter 3: PAUL’S APPEAL TO HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST Chapter 4: PAUL’S APPEAL TO HAVE THE PEACE OF CHRIST