Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

CHRIST'S OBEDIENCE AND CHRISTIAN OBEDIENCE

Philippians 1:1–3:1

DIMENSION ONE: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Answer these questions by reading Philippians 1

1. Who sends the letter to whom? (1:1)

2. How do Paul and Timothy greet the Philippians? (1:2)

3. For what does Paul pray? (1:9)

4. What is Paul's situation as he writes the letter? (1:7, 1214, 17)

5. How does Paul interpret his situation? (1:12-14)

6. How do Paul's supporters interpret his situation? (1:16)

7. How do his foes interpret it? (1:17)

8. How does Paul expect his situation to turn out? (1:1926)

9. How does Paul expect the Philippians to act while he is absent? (1:27-30)

Answer these questions by reading Philippians 2:1–3:11

10. What behavior by the Philippians will complete Paul's joy? (2:1-4)

11. What are the marks of this behavior? (2:6-8)

12. Why is this behavior the norm for the Philippians? (2:911)

13. What action of Jesus is reproduced in the lives of his followers? (2:12-13)

14. What will make Paul proud "on the day of Christ"? (2:14-18)

15. Whom does Paul plan to send to Philippi soon? Why? (2:19-24)

16. Who came from Philippi to be with Paul and help him? (2:25-30)

17. What do the Philippians hear about Epaphroditus's condition? (2:26-27a, 30)

18. Why does Paul send Epaphroditus back to Philippi? (2:28)

19. What is Paul's basic feeling in this opening section of his letter? (1:4, 18; 2:2, 17-18)

DIMENSION TWO: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN?

* Philippians 1:1-2. Paul founded the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:12-40). Although he was forced to flee the city because of persecution (1 Thessalonians 2:2), the church remained loyal to him and, as this letter reveals, was the object of his warm affection. The letter itself expresses Paul's pastoral concern. It follows the usual form of a first-century letter:

I. Salutation

A. Sender (1:1a)

B. Recipient (1:1b)

C. Greeting (1:20)

II. Thanksgiving (1:3-11)

III. Body (1:12-4:20)

IV. Closing

A. Greetings (4:21-22)

B. Benediction (4:23)

Paul uses this conventional pattern to proclaim the gospel to those who could no longer hear his voice, and to assure them of his pastoral care during his absence. Thus, in the salutation of the letter, Paul identifies himself and his colleague Timothy by their primary relationship, servants of Christ Jesus. He also identifies the members of the church at Philippi as "holy people in Christ Jesus" (1:1). Already, then, in these opening verses, Paul affirms that Christ Jesus is the basis of his ministry and the source of the holiness and unity of the church. Paul and Timothy are servants because of the work of Christ in their lives, just as all the members of the church are saints because they are Christ's work.

The gospel that Paul, Timothy, and "all God's holy people" (or saints; 1:1b) have in common is grace, the saving power of God revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ. The lordship of Jesus Christ is not an idea but the power of God that creates servants and saints in the world. The result of grace is peace, the total well-being of the servants and saints of Christ Jesus. The saints (the church at Philippi) enjoy grace and peace, and look forward to receiving them more fully as God's work is perfected in them.

* Philippians 1:3-11. The tension between the now and not yet of Christian experience comes to voice again in Paul's prayer for the saints. Paul looks back on God's work among the Philippians with thanksgiving for their "partnership in the gospel" (1:5). He looks forward in hope to the completion of their salvation at "the day of Christ Jesus" (1:6). "The day of Christ Jesus" is a technical expression that refers to the coming of Christ in glory at the end of human history to judge and redeem the whole creation. Paul expects Christ to come soon, and his expectation colors all that he writes in this and his other letters. Paul is confident that the grace of God that has brought the Philippians to Christ will also enable them to "be pure and blameless until the day of Christ" (1:10).

* Philippians 1:12-14. Paul's reference to his imprisonment (1:7) is taken up again and interpreted by him as an opportunity to preach the gospel to his captors. He says that such adversity serves to reveal the power of God in which he and other Christians are made confident to speak the word of God boldly and fearlessly.

* Philippians 1:15-18. Paul makes a point of this positive result of his imprisonment because some of his foes have interpreted his imprisonment as evidence of his failure as an evangelist and have used it to discredit his ministry. But regardless of the motivation, the fact that his imprisonment is mentioned by friend and foe alike proclaims Christ and gives Paul reason to rejoice.

* Philippians 1:19-26. Although Paul's imprisonment allows him some freedom to carry on his ministry, his life is, in fact, in jeopardy, and he faces the possibility of martyrdom. Paul looks forward to death as a great benefit for him personally, for it will bring him fully into union with Christ. He also recognizes that God's purpose may require him to continue "in my body" (1:20). Since his life is claimed by God for God's work, Paul is confident that he will be delivered from prison and allowed to return to Philippi to resume his personal ministry there.

* Philippians 1:27-30. Meanwhile, Paul exhorts the Philippians to live a life "worthy of the gospel of Christ" (1:27) whether Paul is present or absent. Such a life is marked by unity of spirit and of mind. Just as Paul's imprisonment is a consequence of his faith, so their faith inevitably involves them in conflict. But that conflict is a sign of their loyalty to Christ and their partnership with Paul in the gospel.

* Philippians 2:1-11. The theme "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel" (1:27) is developed more fully in these verses. The exhortations to unity, unselfishness, humility, and a life for others are mandatory for the Philippians because they are revealed in Christ Jesus. Here Paul assumes the pre-existence of Christ as a status that Christ kept, not by grasping for it, but by giving himself in service. His self-giving found full expression in the form of a servant, in a human life of humility and obedience, "even death on a cross" (2:8). Since the crucified Jesus is the revelation of God, he is also the one who has been exalted by God and who will come at the end of human history as the Lord of all history.

The vocation of the Philippians as they await the coming of the Lord in glory is to empty themselves in loving service for one another, even as Jesus Christ emptied himself for them on a cross. Since Christ is a servant for others, they confess their allegiance to him by becoming servants for others.

Philippians 2:12-13. The keyword for the church as it awaits the completion of God's saving work in human history is obedience. The church knows what obedience means because of Jesus' death on a cross. The gospel is not an idea but an act, the act of God in Christ bringing a world that has rebelled against God to acknowledge God in obedient service. The preaching of the gospel, the obedience of Christ Jesus unto death, "even death on a cross," is the power that inspires faith in the world and creates an obedient people, the church. So Paul reminds the Philippians that God brought them to obedience through the gospel, and God continues to call them to obedience, "to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose" (2:13).

* Philippians 2:14-18. Paul's mood as he exhorts the church to live "worthy of the gospel of Christ" (1:27) is one of rejoicing because he knows that the victory has already been won. Since God has claimed the whole world in Christ, the Philippians can live for Christ in the world. The victory is not worldly success but the obedience of the cross. Therefore, when the Philippians are partners with Paul in suffering for the gospel, they enter into the victory of the cross that is now hidden in human history but that will be made public "on the day of Christ" (2:16). This faithful participation in the triumph of the gospel is the ground of Paul's rejoicing in his imprisonment and his possible martyrdom.

* Philippians 2:19-24. Paul's confidence in the power of God does not doom him to passive resignation. Rather this confidence releases him to plan and work for the future. He is eager to hear directly from Philippi. So he plans to send Timothy to minister in his place and to bring back firsthand news of the church. Paul is content to do what the situation permits, while still trusting that he will soon be able to visit Philippi himself.

* Philippians 2:25–3:1. Paul has not been out of touch with the Philippians, but rather has heard from them on a number of occasions. They have sent Epaphroditus to cheer him and care for him in prison. But Epaphroditus has been ill, and word of his distress has caused anxiety in Philippi. So Paul sends him back to Philippi to ease their fear and to acknowledge how he represented the church's ministry by caring for Paul.

This whole episode is a dramatic illustration of what it means to live "worthy of the gospel of Christ" (1:27) in a concrete situation. The concern of the church for Paul, the church's distress for Epaphroditus, Paul's anxiety for the church, and Epaphroditus's risking his life for Paul, all witness to the fact that they were all partakers in grace, both in Paul's imprisonment and in "defending and confirming the gospel" (1:7). And since they were partakers in grace in all the circumstances of their fellowship, they were inspired in all the circumstances of their lives to "rejoice in the Lord!" (3:1).

DIMENSION THREE: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN TO ME?

Philippians 1:1 — Who Are We?

Paul's self-understanding and his understanding of the church are summarized in two words: servants and saints ("holy people" in the NIV). The word that is translated servants is better rendered slaves. It can be difficult for modern Christians to reflect on what it means to be identified as a slave of Christ, because the word itself holds so much negative cultural connotation. It is also so offensive to our usual way of understanding ourselves. We think of ourselves as owned by no one; slave reminds us that we are owned by Christ. We think of ourselves as free; slave reminds us that we are in bondage to Christ. We think of ourselves as independent; slave reminds us that we are dependent on Christ. How does the word slave suggest a new way for us to understand ourselves and others? How can we understand Paul's meaning of the word separate from our modern, culturally-imbedded understanding? How does it require us to question the distinctions we make between male and female, clergy and laity, young and old, rich and poor? What other distinctions would be called into question if we identified ourselves as slaves of Christ Jesus?

Paul's other word, saints, sounds strange in this context to modern ears. We tend to think of saints as a select group of morally perfect persons. But Paul used the word saints to refer to all the members of the church without regard to moral achievement. He could do this because the saints were, for him, the holy ones, those who had been set apart by God's action in Christ for God's service in the world. How does saints speak to you about your work in the church and in the world? What specific situations in your church life would have been handled differently if you had remembered that all involved are saints?

Philippians 1:27–2:18 — What Must We Do?

Can you recall instances when you were confused about appropriate action because you forgot who you are? Are there other occasions when remembering who you are helped you to will and work for God's good pleasure?

What has God done in Christ for you that transformed your life? Is God still at work in your life? What are some evidences of God's work in your life? How does this give you confidence for the future?

How can we determine whether our lives are worthy of the gospel? What are some of the marks of a manner of life unworthy of the gospel? Can you point to specific actions that seem to be worthy of the gospel? Is suffering a necessary part of a life worthy of the gospel?

Philippians 1:3-11; 2:14-18 — What Is Our Hope?

List evidences of the imperfection of the church. Reflect on the condition of the world. How can you engage in this kind of exercise without becoming despondent?

Do you still believe that the name of Jesus is love, the power of God, which will finally bring the whole creation to glorify God in obedient service in "the day of Christ"? If so, what are the implications for our attitude toward persons whom we might dismiss as hopeless? How does this hope speak to us about our personal expectations? What are the points of contact between this hope and efforts to relieve suffering and establish justice throughout the world?

What is the difference between Christian hope and false optimism? How does Christian hope free us from pessimism? How is it possible to rejoice in the midst of conflict and to be glad in suffering?

CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND CHRISTIAN RESURRECTION

Philippians 3:2–4:23

DIMENSION ONE: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Answer these questions by reading Philippians 3:2-21

1. Paul warns the Philippians to watch out for whom? (3:2)

2. What are Paul's reasons for confidence in the flesh? (3:4-6)

3. What does Paul give up in order to gain Christ? (3:7-9)

4. What are Paul's goals? (3:10-11)

5. What is the one thing Paul does? (3:13-14)

6. Paul tells the Philippians to follow the example of whom? (3:17)

7. What will the Lord Jesus Christ transform when he comes from heaven? (3:20-21)

Answer these questions by reading Philippians 4

8. Whom does Paul mention in 4:2-3?

9. Where are the names of Paul's fellow workers recorded? (4:3)

10. When does Paul tell the Philippians to rejoice? (4:4)

11. What does Paul instruct the Philippians to do to relieve their anxiety? (4:6)

12. How does Paul summarize his words to the Philippians? (4:9)

13. What causes Paul to rejoice greatly in the Lord? (4:10)

14. What is Paul's secret for being well-fed or hungry, living in plenty or in want? (4:12-13)

15. Who helped Paul at the beginning of his ministry? (4:15)

16. What is Paul's motive for accepting help from the Philippians? (4:17)

17. Who will meet all the needs of the Philippians? (4:19)

18. Whom does Paul refer to in his final greeting? (4:22)

DIMENSION TWO: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN?

* Philippians 3:2-11. Here Paul identifies those who, in his judgment, are a threat to the church: dogs, evil-workers, those who mutilate the flesh. Why does Paul give this passionate warning? Because these persons are corrupting the church by presenting salvation as a human achievement rather than the work of God in Christ. The key phrase is "confidence in the flesh" (3:3), which, in this context, means trust in anything that is not God.

Paul refers to his own experience as a means of reinforcing his argument. His religious heritage as an Israelite, Benjaminite, Hebrew, and Pharisee is renounced as worthless because it separated him from God by encouraging him to strive to earn God's favor. In Christ, Paul has given up his righteousness based on law and has received the righteousness of God founded on faith. Righteousness here does not mean right action but rather right relationship. Paul's knowledge of Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, is the basis of his confidence; for in Christ, Paul dies to trusting his own merit and lives to depending on the grace of God. Through faith, Paul enjoys a right relationship to God, not as a status earned, but as a gift freely given.

Paul's life in Christ reproduces the life of Christ, which is described in 2:5-8. The "power of his resurrection" (3:10) is the invincible love of God that is confirmed in human history by sharing in Christ's suffering and "becoming like him in his death" (3:10). So, to the extent that Paul lives the life of love now in service, he participates in the Resurrection now. But, since his mortal body is subject to the power of death, he looks forward to the resurrection from the dead as the completion of his salvation.

* Philippians 3:12-16. Once again Paul expresses the tension between the now and not yet of Christian experience. The now is the love of God in Christ Jesus that has taken hold of Paul and inspires him to strive to live the life of love in the world. The not yet is the fact that he is not mature in love and will not be mature in love until the final triumph of love in his life at his resurrection from the dead. Therefore, Paul urges the Philippians in the time between the now and not yet to hold true to the love of God in the confidence that what God has begun God will complete.

---

Excerpted from "Genesis to Revelation: Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Participant Book"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Abingdon Press.
Excerpted by permission of Abingdon Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---