Philippians

Literary Style and Beauty:  Macrostructure

            I suggest that this letter has a straightforward style, with some significant parallels within the main sections.  I think section 3 has emphasis on midpoint C and section 5 on B.

Large Outline

1.  Prologue (1:1-11)

            A.  Paul’s greeting  (1:1-2)

            B.  Paul’s thanksgiving for them  (1:3-8)

            C.  Paul’s prayer for them  (1:9-11)

(Body of Letter)

2.  News about Paul  (1:12-26)

            A.  His circumstances  (1:12-17)

• He is imprisoned, but the gospel progresses.

B.  His attitude  (1:18-26)

• Joy, readiness to die, encouragement for them
• Key verse:  1:21

3.  A call to sanctification (1:27-2:18)

• A “midpoint” section between two “news” sections

A.  To stability in the faith  (1:27-30)

• Even facing suffering, as Paul does

B.  To harmony within the body  (2:1-2)

C.  To humility  (2:3-11)

• Profound on Christ as model of humility!
• This is the “midpoint” of the section.

D.  To obedience  (2:12-16)

E.  A personal appeal, closing the section (2:17-18)

4.  News about Timothy and Ephaphroditus  (2:19-30)

5.  Beware of false teachers / follow Paul’s example (3:1-21)

• That this is a new part of the letter is indicated by “finally” in 3:1.

A.  Judaizers as context for Paul’s warnings  (3:1-6)

• Compare Galatians

B.  Essence of Paul’s example as a Christian (3:7-11, a midpoint)

• A model for all Christians!

(1)  all things as “loss”/“dung”!  (3:7-8)

(2)  one gain:  the righteousness of Christ  (3:9; compare Romans!)

(3)  the continuing goal:  to know Christ (in two ways)  (3:10-11)

            C.  Unattained goal as context for Paul’s warnings (3:12-21)

                        (1) Paul still presses on to perfection (3:12-14)

• “Prize” is the resurrection, cf. 3:11

(2)  Paul’s example is the model for the mature (3:15-17)

(3)  Beware of those who are bad examples (3:18-19)

(4)  Coda:  be heavenly citizens waiting for the unattained goal (3:20-21)

• Goal is resurrection/glory state/ same time as the Second Coming of Christ

6.  Pattern of true Christian life (4:1-9)

• This is a new major section, and the “therefore” of 4:1 begins an “imperative” passage after the “indicative.”

A.  Final call for harmony in the body (4:1-3; cf. Section 3 B)

B.  Joy and peace to replace anxiety (4:4-7)

C.  On what to set your mind as a Christian (4:8)

• Another “finally”; cf. Rom. 8:6; 12:2

D.  Conclusion:  Paul as model again (4:9)

• Parallel with “imitate me” in other letters

7.  Thanks to Philippians for their monetary gift (4:10-19)

            A.  Being needy and being content (4:10-14)

• Note that Paul learned contentment; v.13 is key

B.  Their past and present sharing with Paul (4:15-18)

C.  Conclusion:  Praise and promise (4:19)

(End of Body of Letter)

8. Conclusion (4:20-23)

• Including doxology (v.20); greetings (vv. 21-22); benediction (v.23)

Author and Purpose

            Paul wrote this letter (1:1) to a church he had planted (Acts 16), the first church in Europe (Macedonia).  The close and cordial relations Paul always had with this church come out in his tone of intimacy and mutual confidence.  Having helped Paul financially at least two times before this letter and having heard of his imprisonment, the church sent Epaphroditus with another gift.  (The fact that Paul accepted financial help from them shows how much this relationship differed from the one he shared with the Corinthians.)

            Though the gentleness of Paul somewhat obscures the problems of this church, there were some, such as rivalries and personal ambition (2:3-4; 4:2), the teaching of the Judaizers (3:1-3; see Galatians, where it was much more dangerous), perfectionism (3:12-14), and the influence of antinomian libertines (3:18-19; cf. Rom. 6:1; 3:8).

            This is Paul’s “joy” letter; and, considering his circumstances, we can learn a lot from his attitude.  Almost in passing he also gives us some of the most profound passages on Christ (2:5-11), on knowing Christ (3:10), on prayer (4:6-7), and on contentment (4:11-13).

Commentary:  Applications of the Supremacy of Christ

1.  A Letter of Joy

            It is an application of the supremacy of Christ that Paul has joy as he writes this letter.  In spite of his imprisonment, his financial need, the selfish attitudes of some preachers, and everything else, Paul sees Christ as his “life” (1:21) and he only lives to know Him (3:8, 10) and to serve His people (1:24-25).  He has joy as he faces a possible martyrdom (2:17-18), and indeed for him “to die is gain” (1:21, 23).  He has joy over the Philippians (1:4, 7-8; 2:2; 4:1) and he rejoices in their financial gift (6:10, 18).  His ministry is to help them grow in their joy in the faith (1:25; cf. 2 Cor. 1:24).  When he exhorts them in such places as 2:14 and 4:4, his life backs it up.  This joy is profound because he can still “weep” over the enemies, antinomian libertines (3:18-19).  Indeed, a “joy” letter.

2.  The Humility of the Son

            This “thank you” note does not delve into the Trinity as some other letters do (but you can find some things about the Trinity in it).  In chapter 2, though, just as a motivation to humility (2:3-4 and v.5 lead into vv.6-11), Paul gives us perhaps the most developed NT statement on the “humiliation” of Christ (to use the term of the Westminster Standards).  Inquire:  meditate on each phrase in verses 6-11 and put it all together in your own words.  Note that in v.7, “emptied Himself” does not mean that He was no longer God when He became man.[1]  The expression means that He laid aside His privileges/rights as God (for example, He deserved to be served, but He served others, even unto dying to save them).  It means He “veiled” His glory, though He was still “the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:8).  Ponder further His amazing humility.  Do you meditate on this in a way that helps to transform you?  You will become what you behold (2 Cor. 3:18).

3.  Knowing Christ

            The essence of Paul’s example is in his continuing goal in life (3:10).  Note that he wants to know Christ both in the power of His resurrection[2] and in the fellowship of His sufferings.[3]  But no matter which “side” it is, the great thing is to “know Him” in it.  No wonder Paul can say He is not perfect yet, but has the mature attitude (3:12-15).

4.  Joy and Peace

            Joy and peace are key to the Christian life.[4]  It is here the peace of God (4:7), based on the peace with God of Romans 5:1 and all the reconciliation passages.  That is like the joy of Jesus (John 15:11), which joy was doing the Father’s will (John 15:10; Psalm 45:7).  The peace of Jesus (John 14:27; 16:33) was the assurance of being in the Father’s will (no matter how it felt!), and that peace, not anxiety, can be your portion and mine, through real prayer (4:6-7).  “In the center of the circle of the will of God I stand – there can be no other causes:  all must come from His dear hand.”[5]  Blessed be God when that is real!

SOLI DEO GLORIA