|
PHILLIPPIANS
Background to Phillippians: Written from Rome and is one of the prison
epistles.
Written about A.D. during the middle of his two year captivity. 59-61
A.D. Phil 1:13. Established the place in Rome. Chapter 4:22 shows he knew Christians
right
in Caesar's household.
50 A.D. (second mission)
was when the church at Philippi was established and
was the
first church established in Europe. The Philippians were the most faithful
church
and the only ones recorded as giving him money.
Acts 16, Paul (verse 8)
came to Troas then over to Philippi the chief city
of Macedonia. Verse 13 shows there was no Jewish synagogue or at
least he didn't
want
to go to it. There at the riverside he met Lydia. Then he cast out
the demon
from a
girl and was cast in prison. An earthquake came, freed them, and he baptized
a
jailor. Paul used Roman citizenship to frighten magistrates. Then he departed
to
Thessalonica. This was the
beginning of the Philippian church.
CHAPTER 1.
V. 1 - Note Paul does not call
his attention to his apostolic authority. By this
time elders and deacons were in the church -- it was organized
and operating
well.
5 - Fellowship -- fellow
workers in the gospel.
6 - Jesus Christ's day --
the day He intervenes.
9 - Their treasure was in
God's work.
10 - Know what is best in
every situation (approve all things) without offence --
fault and blame.
12 - These happenings which
seemed to be for the worse actually were for the
good of the gospel.
14 - Without fear -- right in
the headquarters of the Roman
Empire.
15 - Apparently some Jews who
were factious-looking for followers.
16 - Arguing and bickering --
not speaking positively. Here is the beginning of
the false church. It was the Jews who caused Paul's imprisonment
by
attempting to bring pressure on the magistrates (adding
affliction to his
bonds).
19 - This would turn out for
his good and physical deliverance (salvation).
20 - Christ's work would
never fail to go ahead.
21 - Christ living in Paul
(Gal. 2:20, Col. 1:27, Ron. 8:11).
23 - Psalm 146:4, Ecc. 3:19, Ecc. 9, II Tim. it:6-8, II Cor. 5:8, Rev. 22:12.
28 - It is a blessing to
believe on Christ and to suffer for Him.
CHAPTER 2.
V. 1
- If Christ means all these things, put them to work.
3
- Lowliness of mind -- humility. Get your mind off yourself. Have your mind
on the
needs and good qualities of others.
5 - Mind -- attitude, the way you think (Rom. 12:2, I Cor. 2:16).
6 - Christ had been the pinnacle of all, yet He was
willing to come down to a
much
lower position.
7 - He emptied Himself of His divinity. Notice in Isa. l4, Satan's idea is
exactly
the opposite, to place himself up first. Satan' s
children do the same.
8 - I Pet. 5:6. We all must humble ourselves first.
10 - Rom. 14:ll.
-2-
13
- God does
all the work, but our willingness is required. God even gives us
the
will.
14
- I Cor. 10:10.
16 The work He
had been able to do through them.
17 Notice rejoice so often repeated (Rom. 8:28).
20
- Note the trust He could put in Timothy that he would care for the
Philippians.
Implies even his fellow workers
(perhaps previously) were looking out for
their
own good, and not to the needs of the people.
22
- Notice the affection Paul had toward
Timothy as a son displaying the lack
for
a wife. This does not imply a man
without a wife is a better bondman.
Paul also had a love
for the church as a man does cherish his wife.
27 -
Indicates he wasn't healed instantly but more so healed over a
period of time.
CHAPTER 3.
V. 1
- Paul was in prison, in a chain, yet he told them to rejoice. It would be
good
if they would have the same attitude as Paul had. Spiritual joy is
safety
against error and evil.
5
- Hebrew, of the Hebrews -- absolutely no Gentile blood in him.
8 - He had only lost the pride and vanity of this world.
9
- The Christ of faith in us.
10 - He drove himself, pushing
on to become a son of God.
17 - Followers means imitators. Follow the example of the ministers.
18 - He was sorrowful for those
who were bringing death upon themselves. We
don't mind the
physical things of the earth, our citizenship (John 18:32,
Col. 3:1-2, Heb. 11:10, Rev. 22:12) is written (II Tim. 4:8) in heaven.
CHAPTER 4.
V. 1
- Paul considered the church His crown.
3 - To the saints -- they
should keep accordance; those truly converted have
their
names written in the Book of Life.
4 - Rejoice -- Paul wrote this
while under dire circumstances.
5 - God will fight your
battles for you. He is not off a long way -- and the
second
coming is approaching nearer also.
6 - Nothing is too small to
take to God. Understand in assurance God' 5 ultimate
purpose.
8 - Don't store up everyone's
evil deeds, mistakes, the evil you have seen, etc.,
but
keep your mind on the good things. Of course, when a problem comes up
in
the church don't be afraid to call a spade a spade. Face the facts, but
as
soon as the problem is over forget about it. Don't store it up or gloat
over
it. This verse applies to our thoughts and conversation as well.
9 - Paul implies he had set
an example.
10 - Perhaps circumstances had
prevented them from helping him.
11 - How many of us are willing
to go to this extent?
12 - Paul had learned by experience.
15 - They were the only ones
who helped Paul monetarily.
18 - They had sent a large
amount.
|
