Preliminary Thoughts on Philippians

Preliminary Thoughts on Philippians 2007 March 12^th for April 9^th

The other half of the introductory Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) course on Ephesians was Philippians. I remember even less about Philippians than Ephesians.

At this point I’m moving from my old BSF NIV (New International Version) Bible from 1983 into a brand new NIV Archaeological Study Bible that Viannah gave me for my 51^st birthday. The pages may be a little different in size and content, and there is considerably more contextual side commentary in this one than the old one, but perhaps our pace will remain about the same.

Philippi was a city between Asia and Europe, well situated strategically and economically. A Christian friend of Paul, Lydia, was a prosperous purple cloth dealer there. The city was named for Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great, who did significant improvements in the area while renaming it after himself. Paul would use it as a base of operations and starting point for his missionary work.

This letter, I expect, like the others of Paul will deal with specific issues, praises and concerns, that Paul felt for the believers at Philippi.

Philippians 1 2007 March 13^th for April 10^th

Paul and Timothy greet “all the saints” at Philippi and their leaders.

Paul is thankful to be associated with them and is grateful every time he thinks of or prays for them. They have been his partners in proclaiming the good news from the beginning and he is “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

We have a song to those words.

Paul is writing from prison and he sees this as a way to advance the gospel. Everybody, even the palace guards, know that he is “in chains” for the cause of Christ. This encourages the others in their work to be even bolder.

There are some preachers who are in it for selfish motives, gain or ego, and others who are in it for the right reasons. Although the charlatans make things harder for Paul, sometimes on purpose, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”

He knows from this experience that he has hope and stamina. If he lives he continues in the productive work of preaching and demonstrating that Christ is truth; if he dies he goes to be with Christ, he is a winner either way. He is torn in thinking about choosing which he prefers.

Maybe he will get to visit in Philippi again or maybe he will only hear reports, but either way he hopes and prays that they will remain bold and faithful as they are. He considers it a privilege to be in suffering for Christ.

Philippians 2 2007 March 14^th for April 11^th

The way to be ambitious in Christ, to have comfort and fellowship in his Spirit, is to be like-minded with the other believers, not selfish or vain. This behavior makes Paul happy; it makes his “joy complete.” This attitude is the same as Christ Jesus. He was God but did not take advantage of that fact but became a servant, a human, and even died, indeed, even died on a cross in obedience to his calling. Because of this ultimate obedience, Jesus is exalted above everyone else in creation.

In order that Paul’s work not be in vain, he asks the Philippians to continue to be this way, to “work out [their] salvation with fear and trembling.” Unlike the current “depraved” generation (aren’t they all?) they should shine by doing everything without complaining but with gladness and rejoicing.

Paul hopes to send Timothy to them to give a firsthand report on how they are doing. Timothy has proven to be Paul’s right hand man, serving him like a son would serve a father.

He also intends to send back the Philippian Epaphroditus, who they had sent to help take care of Paul in his hardship (imprisonment). The rumor was true that he had been sick. It was true that he had been sick and had nearly died, therefore nearly died in the cause of Christ by being there helping Paul, but God had been merciful and not brought additional sadness to the situation. Epaphroditus had survived and would be returning to everyone’s rejoicing. People like that should be honored.

This would seem to be the text from which our belief that everything around the church has to be unified and in agreement and without anything negative going on. Since this experience is rare in practice, a major industry in “faking it” exists. This was probably not Paul’s intent. Maybe he is trying to say that they should not take so seriously the divisive things, considering the shortness of time that all would be on this earth anyway. Perhaps, but we see other passages in which Paul himself complains and demands division on doctrinal grounds. We don’t see this in Philippians, however, where he says things like “whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached,” but elsewhere.

Philippians 3 2007 March 15^th for April 12^th

Paul warns against those who have confidence “in the flesh,” that is, in the ritual of the Law, circumcision. If there was anything to be gained from this, Paul would have it. Not only was he circumcised on the eighth day as required by the Law; he had all the training of the lawyers, followed everything to the letter, and legalistically persecuted Christians in his resulting zeal.

All of this gain, he now counts as loss since at best it just interferes with the true worship of God through Christ. This righteousness is through faith from God. Somehow he will become like Christ, even to the resurrection from death.

Paul didn’t consider himself perfect or finished at this point; he was still striving towards the goal, “straining toward what is ahead.” He asks the Philippians to follow his example in this. The cross of Christ has many enemies, those who are focused on earthly things like eating and shameful behaviors (the natural appetites). Christ’s power, by contrast, will transform these “lowly bodies” into ones like his “glorious body.” What this means is not detailed.

Philippians 4 2007 March 16^th for April 13^th

Paul now closes his letter to this group of Christians that he likes and appreciates so much. I don’t know if Paul approved of playing favorites, but the way he talks about them, the word “favorite” might not be too strong.

First he gives a minor exhortation. Apparently two them, Euodia and Syntyche, had not been in agreement, although in the past they had stood together beside Paul in his own struggles and endeavors. He pleads with them to come to agreement; their names are in the Book of Life, after all. Being sealed by God is more important than any of these mere temporal matters.

Rejoice in everything. “The Lord is near.” Do not be anxious but be in prayer about everything. Peace will guard you.

What to dwell on mentally: that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

Those at Philippi have sent Paul a gift, not that he asked or requested, but he received it with gratitude and declared that he was “amply” supplied. That they would do such a thing was to their own credit in the heavenly ledger. He recalled that they had been the only ones to help out with his mission to Thessalonica. The gifts “are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” He prays that God will meet their needs as well.

Finally, he extends greetings to all the saints there from all those with him, in particular from the believers in Caesar’s household.

Concluding Thoughts on Philippians 2007 March 19^th for April 16^th

Paul was very favorable toward his brethren at Philippi. They had sent help in the form of Epaphroditus who had also transported material gifts for Paul’s support. They had supported him in the past and had been united in working with him, helping him. They were in general agreement with his theology and standards of behavior for him to be so happy with them. The only slight issue in the whole letter is the matter with Syntyche and Euodia and even that seems comparatively minor.

He mentions “the circumcision” only briefly. Most of his remarks are of an informative or uplifting nature. Paul’s handling of his imprisonment in Rome is only unremarkable to those of us who have heard the Bible stories repeatedly. His confinement, house arrest, in Rome restricted his ability to continue his mission work throughout the known world of the time and he does, in fact, spend some words considering whether he should just go ahead and die, since that would be gain, but he also knows that staying here was also a gain while he was able to carry on his work and so concludes that he is content and will rejoice either way.

It could be argued, apart from Paul’s own thinking, that his imprisonment had a greater ministry effect than his intended travels. After all, he sat under house arrest and corresponded with many of those places rather than visiting them, enjoying the efficiency of information communications. This correspondence has become our very record today.