Philippians

INTRODUCTION

Philippians was written by Paul, the Apostle, while in prison in Rome. He wrote the letter to thank the believers in Philippi for the gift they had sent to him to meet his needs while in detention. He began by expressing to them how confident he was that “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6, (KJV).

He also offered counsel and words of wisdom to the Philippian believers

• He encouraged them to stay committed to spreading the Gospel in spite of persecution and rejoice.
• Exhorted them to imitate Christ by living their lives as humble servants and stay in unity.
• Paul also wanted to show his appreciation of Timothy and Epaphroditus for their support.
• To warn the Philippians against those who preached the Gospel out of envy and mockery.

Author: Paul the Apostle

Date: A.D. 61

Place: Rome

Theme: The theme that runs throughout this book is “Rejoice.”

OUTLINE

Chapter 1

• Greetings (1:1-2)
• Thanksgiving (1:3-7)
• Prayer for the Philippians (1:9-11)
• Paul’s joy that Christ is Preached (1:12-19)
• Pauls’s Life for Christ (1:20-26)
• Exhortation: Live a life worthy of the Gospel (1:27-30)

Chapter 2

• Have the Servant Attitude of Christ (2:1-11)

        Plea for Unity (2:1-2)

        How to achieve Unity (2:2-5)

       The attitude of Christ (2:6-8)

       Christ’s Exaltation (2:9-11)

• Shine brightly for Christ (2:12-18)
• Paul commends Timothy his associate (2:19-24)
• Paul commends Epaphroditus his associate (2:25-30)

Chapter 3

• Warnings against Judaizers or Legalists (3:1-3)
• Paul’s Testimony (3:4-8)
• The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ (3:9-11)
• Paul Pressing toward The Goal (3:12-21)

Chapter 4

• Plea for Peace between believers (4:1-3)
• Be full of Joy and be Considerate (4:4-5)
• Do not worry but pray and you will have peace (4:6-7)
• The Way of Thinking and Acting (4:8-9)
• Paul learned how to be content (4:10-13)
• Paul expresses his Gratitude (4:14-20)
• Paul’s Final Greetings (4:21-23)

PHILIPPIANS READING SCHEDULE

☐ Chapter 1: 1-11

☐ Chapter 1: 12-19

☐ Chapter 1: 20-30

☐ Chapter 2: 1-11

☐ Chapter 2: 12-18

☐ Chapter 2: 19-30

☐ Chapter 3: 1-11

☐ Chapter 3: 12-21

☐ Chapter 4: 1-7

☐ Chapter 4: 8-13

☐ Chapter 4: 14-23

KEY LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS

• Live as citizens of Heaven: We are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the good news about Christ. Philippians 1:27, (NLT).
• Work out your salvation: Philippians 2:12 says, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear” (NLT).
• Do everything without complaining and arguing: Philippians 2:14, “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (NLT).
• God is at work in you: Philippians 2:12b-13 says, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (NLT).
• Forget things that are behind: Philippians 3:13-14 says, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (NLT).
• We received the circumcision of the heart, not of the flesh: Philippians 3:3 says, “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (KJV).
• Rejoice always: Philippians 3:1 says, “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord” (NLT).
• Don’t be contentious against other believers: Philippians 4:2 says, “be of the same mind in the Lord” (KJV).
• Do not be anxious about anything: Philippians 4:6 admonishes us not to worry about anything. Instead, we are to pray about everything. Make our petitions or requests specific to God and thank Him. Thus, we will have peace in spite of the difficulties we may be faced with. Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (KJV).
• Keep your thoughts focused on things that are: True, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and things that are worthy of praise, Philippians 4:8, NLT).
• You can do everything: Through Christ who gives you the strength, Philippians 4:13, (NLT).
• Trust God to supply your needs: God supplies your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:19, (KJV).

PRAYER IN THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS TO PRAY FOR YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS:

Philippians 1:9-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹ I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. ¹⁰ For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. ¹¹ May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ

^{PRAYER: I pray that my love will overflow more and more. I will keep on growing in the knowledge and understanding of God. I have the understanding of what matters. Thus, I will live a pure and blameless life until the day of Christ’s return. I am filled with the fruit of my salvation- the righteous character produced in my life by Jesus Christ.}

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