Philippians 1 - Introduction

Chapter Philippians 1:1-8

Outline:

I. Introductory greeting: Philippians 1:1-2

II. His affection for them: Philippians 1:3-8

A. Manifested in constant prayer: Philippians 1:4

B. Because of their participation: Philippians 1:5

C. Because they helped him in hard times: Philippians 1:7

D. His affection is great: Philippians 1:8

I. Paul's prayer for them: Philippians 1:9-11

II. Success and opposition in his imprisonment: Philippians 1:12-20

III. To live is Christ, to die is gain: Philippians 1:21-26

IV. An admonition to faithfulness: Philippians 1:27-30

“He is in Rome. After his three long missionary journeys he has been arrested in Jerusalem and then imprisoned at Caesarea. Learning of. plot against his life and despairing of justice from the provincial governor, he has made his ‘appeal unto Caesar', and finally has been brought to the Imperial City. While awaiting trial he has been allowed. considerable degree of freedom and permitted to communicate freely with his friends. From distant Philippi, at the hand of Epaphroditus, he has received. rich gift” (Erdman pp. 37-38). “In structure the letters which we find in the New Testament differ from those written today. Our letters end with the name of the sender. In Paul's day that name was mentioned first. Then came the name of the person(s) addressed and the rest of the opening salutation. There followed, generally in the order given: the thanksgiving and/or prayer (often both), the body of the letter, and finally the concluding items; such as greetings, word of farewell or even. benediction” (Hendriksen p. 43).

In recent years it has become popular to claim that the New Testament letters were never intended to be viewed as authoritative documents for all Christians, but that they were simply "personal" letters between Christians. Unfortunately, the above theory contradicts the very content of these letters: The contents were the commands of God (1 Corinthians 14:37) They were intended for. wider audience than just the initial recipients (1 Corinthians 4:17). The doctrines that applied to one congregation, applied to all (1 Corinthians 7:17). Christians that did not submit to the instruction contained in these letters were withdrawn from (2 Thessalonians 3:6). The letters were to be circulated among other congregations (Colossians 4:16). The letters of the apostles were viewed as "Scripture" (2 Peter 3:15). The letters contained truths that would still be binding and valid at the last day (1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:5). The letters contained truths that were rooted in "Creation" (1 Timothy 2:11). The letters contained warnings and examples that were timeless in their application (1 Corinthians 10:1; 2 Peter 2:1).

The substance of the prayers mentioned in Philippians 1:3 is now disclosed. “Paul was. praying man. When the preacher Ananias was instructed to seek out Saul the persecutor, the Lord said, ‘for behold, he prayeth' (Acts 9:11). The habit of prayer was not left uncultivated when Paul became. Christian. And his brethren were ever in his petitions to God. The apostle continually prays (present tense)” (Jackson p. 25).