Table of Contents
General Editors' Preface 7
Acknowledgments 9
Abbreviations 10
Bibliography 13
Introduction 21
A. The Context of Philippians 22
1. The City and People of Philippi 22
2. Paul's Mission in Philippi 23
3. The Place and Date of Writing 24
4. Paul's Imprisonment 26
5. The Occasion and Purpose of the Letter 27
B. The Form, Structure, and Persuasive Strategy of Philippians 30
1. Philippians as a Letter 30
2. Philippians as Rhetoric 33
3. Authorship and Unity 38
C. Key Themes 39
1. The Defining Story of Christ 39
2. The Surpassing Knowledge of Christ 40
3. The Gracious Work of God 41
4. Cruciform Living 42
5. Partnership in the Gospel 42
D. The Approach and Intent of the Commentary 43
Commentary 45
I. Letter Opening: Philippians 1:1-11 45
A. Greeting (1:1-2) 47
B. Thanksgiving and Prayer (1:3-11) 51
1. Thanksgiving (1:3-8) 51
2. Intercession (1:9-11) 56
II. Paul's Circumstances: An Example of Faithfulness to the Gospel: Philippians 1:12-26 63
A. The Gospel Progresses Through Paul's Imprisonment (1:12-14) 65
B. Christ Is Proclaimed-Through True or False Motives (1:15-18a) 67
C. Christ Is Glorified Through Paul's Living or Dying (1:18b-26) 69
III. Conduct Worthy of the Gospel: Exhortations and Examples: Philippians 1:27-2:18 83
A. An Appeal to Firmness and Unity in the Face of Opposition (1:27-30) 84
B. An Appeal to Unity Through Unselfish Humility (2:1-4) 94
C. An Appeal to the Example of Christ (2:5-11) 105
1. Paul's Exhortation:Adopt the Mind-set of Christ (2:5) 110
2. Christ's Humiliation (2:6-8) 112
3. Christ's Exaltation(2:9-11) 119
D. An Appeal to Obedience (2:12-18) 127
1. Work Out Your Own Salvation by God's Enabling Power (2:12-13) 129
2. Live as God's Holy People in a Dark World (2:14-16) 132
3. Share in Paul's Sacrificial Ministry (2:17-18) 136
IV. Two Christlike Examples: Philippians 2:19-30 143
A. Timothy (2:19-24) 145
B. Epaphroditus (2:25-30) 147
V. Standing Firm in the Face of Threats to the Gospel:Warnings and Examples: Philippians 3:1-4:1 155
A. True and False Confidence (3:1-11) 155
1. The Transition (3:1) 158
2. A Warning Against "the Dogs" (3:2-4a) 159
3. Paul's Jewish Pedigree (3:4b-6) 162
4. The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ (3:7-11) 165
B. Pressing on Toward the Prize (3:12-14) 181
C. Good and Bad Examples (3:15-4:1) 189
1. Adopt a Mature Mind-set (3:15-16) 192
2. Examples to Imitate: Paul and Others like Him (3:17) 195
3. Examples to Avoid: Enemies of the Cross (3:18-19) 197
4. A Heavenly Commonwealth and a Hope for the Future (3:20-21) 199
5. Stand Firm in the Lord (4:1) 203
VI. Final Exhortations: Philippians 4:2-9 211
A. An Appeal for Unity (4:2-3) 213
B. A Call to Joy and Peace in All Circumstances (4:4-7) 218
C. A Call to Focus on the Excellent and Follow Paul's Example (4:8-9) 222
VII. Concluding Matters: Philippians 4:10-23 233
A. Gratitude for the Philippians' Gift (4:10-20) 233
1. Rejoicing and Contentment (4:10-13) 237
2. A Partnership in Giving and Receiving (4:14-17) 241
3. Gratitude and God's Provision (4:18-20) 245
B. The Letter Closing (4:21-23) 251
