Philippians 1 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read

Passage: Phil 1:1-2

A. Find Out:    

1. Who are writing? v.1a
   • Paul and Timothy
2. How do they describe themselves? v.1b
   • servants of Christ Jesus,
3. To whom do they write generally? v.1c
   • To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi
4. Who do they specifically mention? v.1d
   • together with the overseers and deacons:
5. What 2 things comprise their blessing? v.2
   • Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

B. Think:

1. How does seeing yourself as God’s servant help you in your ministry?
2. Why do we need grace in our lives?
3. Why do we need peace in our lives?

C. Comment:

Paul’s letter opens with the conventional structure that is seen in all of his letters. First, there is the IDENTIFICATION OF SENDER. Although he writes it (see singular in v.3 etc.) Paul identifies Timothy as his associate, a man who had concern for them (see 2:20), who they already knew ( 2:22 ). It is implicit that they knew Paul for he only writes to churches with whom he had a relationship. His only designation is “servant of Jesus Christ”. Servanthood brings both humility and strength; humility because it makes us remember that we have a master or Lord whom we serve, and strength because it helps us realise that we only do what the master wants and when we do that, He will bless it.

Second, comes the IDENTIFICATION OF RECEIVER of the letter: the saints in Philippi, which indicates not moral purity but spiritual relationship with Christ. Interestingly, Paul also writes specifically to the leaders at this church (which he doesn’t do in any other letter), the inference being that the leaders were in dispute (see later in chapter 2). Finally comes the BLESSING, the desire for God’s provision of grace and peace for them. Grace is that ability to help us cope and peace is that foundation we need to hold us in days of turmoil.

D. Application?

1. How we perceive ourselves determines how we exercise our ministry.
2. TODAY we NEED grace and peace. Ask for it!

Passage: Phil 1:3-8

A. Find Out:

1. What had Paul been doing? v.3
   • I thank my God every time I remember you.
2. How had he done that? v.4
   •  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
3. Why had he been able to do it like that? v.5
   •  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
4. Of what was he confident? v.6
   • being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
5. What was the basis of that confidence? v.7
   • It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
6. What was he feeling for them? v.8
   • God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

B. Think:

1. What does this tell us about Paul’s prayer life?
2. What does it say about the work of God in the Christian?
3. What, in the purposes of God, is hinted at?

C. Comment:

First let’s observe the EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP that Paul displays for these Philippians: his praying for them. A sure sign that we have a strong relationship with someone is that we pray for them, and Paul does this regularly, and has joy for them. Joy is a great motivating force for prayer.

Second, note the BASIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP: they had worked together with Paul to spread the gospel, and as the gospel was so important to him, their working with him in this was very special to him.

Third, note the CONFIDENCE OF THE RELATIONSHIP: Paul was confident, in his knowledge of them, that the Lord would be able to work out His purposes in them right through to the day when Jesus would take them to Himself. Although we may take this for granted, Paul didn’t, as we shall see later in the letter. He didn’t assume that because they had started off well they would continue like that to Jesus’ return, but because he knows them well, he was able to say that he WAS confident that they would make it through to the end.

Finally, note the FRUIT OF THE RELATIONSHIP: thanks to God for what they meant to him. A good relationship is a blessing which brings joy and thanksgiving.

D. Application?

1. Christian relationships based on serving the Lord are a special blessing.
2. Don’t take such relationships for granted.

Passage: Phil 1:9-11

A. Find Out:

1. What did Paul want to abound in them? v.9a
   • And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more
2. What was to be the basis for that? v.9b
   • in knowledge and depth of insight,
3. What would that enable them to do? v.10a
   • so that you may be able to discern what is best
4. What would that result in? v.10b
   • nd may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
5. With what would be they filled? v.11a
   • filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ
6. With what result? v.11b
   • to the glory and praise of God.

B. Think:

1. On what is love seen to be based here?
2. And how will that help their lives generally?
3. From where does all this come?

C. Comment:

We saw above that Paul’s relationship with the Christians at Philippi prompted him to pray for them. Now we see the FOCUS (or direction) of his petition: that their love would abound more and more. God is love (1 John 4:16) and His presence is to be experienced and expressed more and more in the life of the Christian.

Second, we see the FOUNDATION (or basis) of his petition: that this love will grow as they receive more and more knowledge (experience) of the Lord and insight (revelation) into the depth of that love. For the Christian, our love is deepened as we experience and perceive more and more the wonder of His love for us (1 John 4:10).

Third, we see the FRUIT (results) of his petition: as they love, as they experience and understand more and more the wonder of God’s love for them, so they will find that, in the light of that, they will also be able to see what is good and what is not good for their lives. This will enable them to avoid what is bad or harmful and they will thus be living lives of righteousness. Not only that, but this love which opens up a righteous life will also bring glory and praise to God for the wonder of what He HAS done and IS doing through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ in us and in others.

D. Application?

1. Experiencing and understanding the love of God more and more, touches the heart and changes the life to become more like Jesus.
2. Let His love release praise in your heart.

Passage: Phil 1:12-14

A. Find Out:

1. What was the outcome of what had happened? v.12
   • Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
2. What had become clear? v.13c
   • that I am in chains for Christ.
3. Where had it become clear? v.13b
   • it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else
4. Who had been encouraged? v.14b
   • most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord
5. Why had they been encouraged? v.14a
   • And because of my chains
6. What had they been encouraged to do? v.14c
   • and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

B. Think:

1. What obviously was Paul’s state at the time of writing?
2. How did he see this as working to further the spread of the Gospel?
3. How did he see it as serving to encourage the church?

C. Comment:

These few verses are triumphant verses of an overcomer! Paul is in chains, obviously in prison in Rome for his faith. That should dispel any foolish ideas that westernized Christianity might put about that nothing ever “goes wrong” for Christians. Indeed, Scripture promises that the godly will be persecuted (John 15:20 / 2 Timothy 3:12). What is important is how we respond to it. Paul saw his imprisonment as a double blessing. First, because he was in chains under guard, he had a constant audience with whom he shared the Gospel. Subsequently everyone throughout the palace guard (possibly nine thousand men) had heard the Gospel.

The fact that he was able to go on sharing the Gospel while in chains encouraged the other believers to be bold to share the Gospel as well. Therefore, as far as Paul was concerned, his being in chains was being used to further the spread of the Gospel and nothing could stop it! Whatever the situation Paul looked at it positively and used it to fulfil his one desire, to glorify his Lord.

D. Application?

1. God does not guarantee us peace and quiet when we become Christians, in fact it is quite the contrary.
2. God in all situations?

Passage: Phil 1:15-17

A. Find Out:

1. What was motivating some to preach? v.15a
   • It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalr
2. Why were others preaching? v.15b
   • but others out of goodwill.
3. How were the second group doing it? v.16a
   • The latter do so out of love
4. Why? v.16b
   • knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel.
5. What was the heart of the first group? v.17a
   • The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely
6. What were they hoping to achieve?
   • supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

B. Think:

1. How would you sum up the first group that Paul spoke about?
2. How would you sum up the second group?
3. How does Paul seem to be a provoker?

C. Comment:

In these few verses Paul touches on a subject that we would perhaps prefer to avoid: the motivation of those who share the Gospel. First, we should observe that not everyone shares the Gospel with a pure heart, in response to the wonder of the love of God and the calling of God! Some, that Paul knows about, are sharing it for a mixture of human reasons that are very unChrist-like. Within some there was a competitive spirit, that saw Paul’s success in ministry and wanted to be better than him, not for Christ’s glory, but so they could get the credit. Wherever there is a successful ministry, blessed of God, the enemy will always seek to raise up a spirit of rivalry with division and competition. In Paul’s case these people even hoped that by sharing the Gospel it would stir up the authorities who would even take action against Paul already in chains.

But there was another group, preaching out of love for Paul, wanting to stand alongside him in the Gospel, who preached just hoping for Paul’s good. While we might wish that everyone shares the Gospel out of a pure love for Christ, we have to recognise that, as human beings, we serve the Lord from a mixed bunch of motives. Tomorrow we’ll see Paul’s response to this.

D. Application?

1. Do I serve the Lord or serve myself?
2. Do I have a sense of competition with others who are serving God?

Passage: Phil 1:18-19

A. Find Out:

1. What was the important thing to Paul? v.18a
   • But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.
2. What did that release in him? v.18b
   • And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice
3. What, from them, was going to help him? v.19a
   • for I know that through your prayers
4. What, from God, was also going to help? v.19b
   • and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ
5. In what would they result? v.19c
   • what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

B. Think:

1. How did Paul’s goal in life help him overcome wrong feelings about people’s wrong motives?
2. How is the God-man partnership seen in these verses?
3. What hope did Paul hold onto?

C. Comment:

When we look at other people’s wrong motives it is very easy to get worked up in a wrong way about them. After having spoken strongly about those he knows are preaching the Gospel with mixed motives, he calmly ends up saying, “So what?”. As far as he is concerned the most important thing in life is that Christ is preached and whether people do it from good or bad motives doesn’t affect Paul, it is just good!

So, says Paul, I’m going to rejoice because others will be hearing about Jesus, it doesn’t matter what people say about me along the way! Having reached that point in triumphant thinking, it is suddenly as if Paul is released in another area of his thoughts: yes, and just as that situation will turn out well and cause me rejoicing, he says, so this whole matter of me being in prison will also turn out well as you pray for me, and the Holy Spirit encourages me.

Again and again in these verses of this letter comes the challenge to us to follow Paul’s example in the way he doesn’t let his circumstances and other people’s wrong attitudes overcome him. How does he do it? He sees himself again and again in God’s hands, as God’s servant. Do we see ourselves like this?

D. Application?

1. Are we so motivated to see God glorified that that overrides all other possible feelings?
2. Do circumstances get on top of me or do I hold my position in Christ and reign over them?

Passage: Phil 1:20-26

A. Find Out:

1. For what aim did Paul want courage? v.20
   •  I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
2. What two options did he consider? v.21
   • For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
3. What would life mean? v.22
   •  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
4. How did he view death? v.21b,23
   • to die is gain ….  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
5. Why did he feel it essential to remain? v.24,25
   • but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
6. What did he want for them? v.26
   • so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

B. Think:

1. How is Paul’s total submission to the will of Christ seen here?
2. How is the Christian’s hope supremely exampled here?
3. How is Christian love supremely exampled here?

C. Comment:

These are truly amazing verses from an amazing person. Perhaps more than anywhere else, the maturity of Paul in the Christian faith is displayed. He wonders if the end of his life has come. He is in prison and wonders if death awaits him. As he faces it he realises that in many ways his greatest desire is just to go to be with Christ. He is quite sure of his destination for he has run the race faithfully and relies on his Lord’s promises. He is sure that death is good for him!

Yet there is also in him a longing for these Philippians to whom he is writing. He longs to see them and bless them, that they may have great joy. There is the awareness in Paul that he is a servant of God to bring blessing to the church and he just wants to keep on and keep on doing that. What an example!

Finally observe the humility of this giant in the Christian faith: he “hopes” he will “have sufficient courage” to face oncoming death. This is no proud boasting apostle, but a humble servant of God who is all out for his master, whether the next stage of his service involves death or life! He trusts in God’s grace for him in it, whatever it is!

D. Application?

1. Have we the assurance that having run the race we will be with Christ?
2. Is our desire to bless, and carry on blessing, the church?
3. A heart that is truly a servant of God is prepared for whatever is to come, whether it be life or death!

Passage: Phil 1:27-30

A. Find Out:

1. What is Paul’s first instruction? v.27a
   •  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
2. What two things will he then know? v.27b,c
   • Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
3. What will then not happen to them? v.28a
   • without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you
4. Of what will that be a sign? v.28b
   • This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved – and that by God.
5. In what are they to share? v.29
   • For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
6. How were they sharing with Paul? v.30
   • since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

B. Think:

1. Of what, from this passage, might we be frightened?
2. How is that a normal part of Christian life?
3. How are we to deal with it?

C. Comment:

Having just spoken so gloriously about his own hopes for the future, Paul now turns to instruct those he is writing to how to conduct their future. First of all, they apparently had NEED of encouragement, they were apparently going through similar opposition in the Gospel to that which Paul had said he had experienced and was experiencing. It is easy to sound super-spiritual about opposition, but it is never easy to cope with. We ARE promised persecution if we are going to follow Christ, but it still isn’t easy to handle the thought of it, fear can come in.

Second, we see Paul’s DIRECTIONS. Again, he doesn’t make super-spiritual noises but simply says, make sure there is unity within you and that you keep on going for the Gospel. His first call was for unity in purpose. In battle we need to know that we have others who are standing with us in it, going through the same things, sharing the same load and with the same objective. His second call was to stand firm. When the going gets tough the essential ingredient to deal with it is perseverance, that determination to keep on going until we see the blessing of the Lord revealed in it all.

D. Application?

1. In the Christian faith, opposition is guaranteed, therefore we need close fellowship and unity of heart to be able to contend for the Lord.
2. In the face of the battle, a rugged determination to triumph for Christ is needed.