Bible Study Philippians 1: 1-11

 

A Commentary of the Book of Philippians

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Philippians 1: 1-11

We will begin our study of the book of Philippians. As you study this book, know that the central theme is joy. Further, remember that the book was written by the Apostle Paul when he was a prisoner. Read these inspired words in light of the setting.

The following introduction comes from the Scofield Reference Bible 1917 Edition.

Book Introduction 1 which are at Philippi.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians

WRITER. The Apostle Paul (Php 1:1)

DATE. The date of Philippians cannot be positively fixed. It is one of the prison letters. Whether Paul was twice imprisoned, and if so, whether Philippians was written during the first or second imprisonment, effects in no way the message of the Epistle. A.D. 64 is the commonly received date. The immediate occasion of the Epistle is disclosed in Php 4:10-18.

THEME. The theme of Philippians is Christian experience. Soundness of doctrine is assumed. There is nothing in church order to set right. Philippi is a normal New Testament assembly--"saints in Christ Jesus, with the bishops (elders) and deacons." The circumstances of the apostle are in striking contrast with his Christian experience. As to the former, he was Nero's prisoner. As to the latter, there was the shout of victory, the paean of joy. Christian experience, he would teach us, is not something which is going on around the believer, but something which is going on within him.

The key-verse is, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Php 1:21). Right Christian experience, then, is the outworking, whatever one's circumstances may be, of the life, nature, and mind of Christ living in us (Php 1:6; 2:5,13).

The divisions are indicated by the chapters:

I. Christ, the believer's life, rejoicing in suffering, 1.1-30.

II. Christ, the believer's pattern, rejoicing in lowly service, 2.1-30

III. Christ, the believer's object, rejoicing despite imperfections, 3.1-21.

IV. Christ, the believer's strength, rejoicing over anxiety, 4.1-23.

Text:

Thanksgiving

1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus,

To all the [a]saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 because of your [b]fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 [c]For it is only right for me to think this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers with me in this grace. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the [d]affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in full knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may [e]approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and without fault [f]until the day of Christ, 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Verse by verse commentary

Verse 1: “Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:”

From the beginning of this letter, Paul sets forth the proposition that he and Timothy are slaves. Other translations like to translate the Greek word as “servant.” There is a large difference between slave and servant. Think of a servant as an employee. You may have several jobs and many do. However, a slave can have only one master. Paul used the expression “in Christ Jesus,” as a way of describing the believer’s union with Christ. This phrase occurs ten times in Philippians.The overseers and deacons were the twofold leadership in the church at Philippi.

Verse 2: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The two words “grace” and “peace” summarize the gospel message. It is God’s grace that saves, and that salvation brings peace with God and peace within your soul. The source of that grace is “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Verse 3: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,”

Paul’s memory of the Philippians prompts him to pray for them frequently (“in all my”) and gratefully (“I thank my God”). Who do you remember consistently in your prayer life? Paul sets the example for us to follow. As we remember people, that is as they come to mind, pray for them. It is a great practice to pray for people as they come into your mind.

Verse 4: “always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,”

Joy is a dominant theme in Philippians. Paul always prayed for others joyfully. Prayer was not a “check the box” duty for the day. Paul believed in the power of prayer and as a result, he was joyful knowing the impact his prayers would have for the Philippians.

Verse 5: “because of your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”

The word “fellowship” refers to a partnership in promoting the gospel. The Philippians’ financial support is especially in view. The Philippians were faithful from the first day they heard the gospel. Paul recognized the Philippians faithfulness and stated it was “because” of that faithfulness he was consistent in his prayers for them.

Verse 6: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

When God begins a work of salvation in a person, He finishes and perfects that work. For the majority of my Christian walk, I believed that one could lose their salvation even on the day of death if one had an unrepentant sin. This is pure heresy in my opinion. It insults God. He is the Author of salvation and no one, even yourself, can take you from His hand. The day of Christ Jesus is most likely the date of your glorification from this world into the next. If God has saved you, you will be saved throughout all eternity.

Verse 7: “For it is only right for me to think this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers with me in this grace.”

The terms “defense and confirmation of the gospel” suggest apostolic witness during a trial. Paul was always ready to defend the gospel. The Philippians were “partakers . . . in this grace” with Paul through supporting his ministry. When we support ministries, we partner with them and help them advance their causes. So before we partner with a ministry, we must make sure that the message being preached is a Biblical message that presents the true gospel. 

Verse 8: “For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

The word translated “affection” refers to the internal organs, which are the part of the body that reacts to intense emotion. It became the strongest Greek word to express compassionate love; a love that involves one’s entire being. Paul had a deep compassion for the Philippians. Paul rarely took money; he made tents to support himself. However, the Philippians gave him a love offering and he kept it. He had a strong connection to the church at Philippi being the first church he started in Europe.

Verse 9: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in full knowledge and all discernment,”

Paul tells the Philippians not only that he prays for them (v. 4), but also the content of that prayer. Christian belief (“knowledge and all discernment”) comes to expression in Christian love and in behavior that is “pure and blameless”. True love contains truth. That truth which comes from the Word of God will lead to increased love and discernment. I compare what people say to me with what the Word says. This is a good prayer to pray for yourself, your family and loved ones and your church: “Lord, increase __________ love and may it abound more and more. Lord, may __________ have increased knowledge and discernment according to the Word of God.”

Verse 10: “so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and without fault until the day of Christ,”

“Approve” in classical Greek described the assaying of metals or the testing of money for authenticity. It means to distinguish between things that differ from each other. “Excellent” means “to differ.” Believers need the ability to distinguish those things that are truly important so they can establish the right priorities. “Sincere” means “genuine.” “Without fault” can be translated “blameless,” referring to personal integrity. Christians are to live lives of true integrity that do not cause others to sin and also keeps the Christian from sin. Paul knew with increased knowledge and discernment; Christians would be able to test false teachings and respond appropriately. 

Verse 11: “having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Not only is the sinner justified through repentance and faith in Christ, but “the fruit of righteousness,” or the righteous life that ensues, is also “through Jesus Christ” through the work of His Spirit. Believers have both imputed and imparted righteousness. Both are involved in our sanctification. Imputed refers to the Father looking at us and seeing Christ’s righteousness instead of our sin. Imparted righteousness is when the Holy Spirit operates in our lives to transform us daily more and more into His image. Our sanctification is a fruit of His righteousness causing us to walk on the “highway of holiness.”