CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTORY: THE SALUTATION. THE sixteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles contains the account of the Apostle Paul's first intercourse with the Philippians, and of the "beginning of the gospel" there. The date may be fixed as A.D. 51. After the council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:1 and af... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 2 THE APOSTLE'S MIND ABOUT THE PHILIPPIANS. Philippians 1:3 (R.V.) AFTER the salutation, the first thing in the Epistle is a warm utterance of the feelings and the desires which Paul habitually cherishes in relation to his converts at Philippi. This is expressed in Philippians 1:3. Note t... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 3 HOW THE PHILIPPIANS SHOULD THINK OF PAUL AT ROME. Philippians 1:12 (R.V.) HAVING poured out his feelings about those dear friends and children in the Lord at Philippi, the Apostle recognises corresponding feelings on their part towards him. These. must naturally be feelings of anxiety t... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 4 THE CHOICE BETWEEN LIVING AND DYING. Philippians 1:21 (R.V.) AT the close of the preceding section we see that the ruling principle of the Apostle-the earnest expectation and hope which inspired his life-came into special exercise at this time with reference to the possibility, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 5 UNDAUNTED AND UNITED STEADFASTNESS. Philippians 1:27 (R.V.) AT Philippians 1:27 the letter begins to be hortative. Up to this point the Apostle has been taking the Philippians into his confidence, in order that they may share his point of view and see things as he sees them. Now he begi... [ Continue Reading ]