Philippians 1 - Introduction

PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER ONE

A MIND OF THANKS

The things we commonly think about and the way we feel are the most important thing about us. The apostle Paul gave us an example of right-mindedness. In Philippians chapter one he exhibits a mind of thanks,

1.

Personal thanks; (Philippians 1:3-8)

Paul liked people. He liked the Philippians. He was not thankful merely for God's blessings in an abstract way, but for people individually and particularly. He appreciated the Philippians for their partnership with him in his work. His thankfulness for them led him to feel a confidence about their future deeds and ways of life.

2.

Prayerful thanks; (Philippians 1:9-11)

Paul prayed that their love might abound (overflow) more and more, leading them to better knowledge and more fruitfulness.

3.

Optimistic thanks; (Philippians 1:12-26)

Optimistic thanks for past eventsIn the confinement of arrest in Rome Paul had won many to Christ, even from the Praetorian Guard. Other Christians had been made bolder. Even the few Christian preachers who were envious of Paul and tried to bring misery upon him, were still preaching the gospel, and Paul rejoiced in this. (Philippians 1:12-18)

Optimistic thanks for future hopesWhether Paul lived or died made no real difference to him. If he died, that was gain to him. If he lived, his life would bring progress and joy to Philippians. (Philippians 1:19-26)

4.

Concerned thanks; (Philippians 1:27-30)

Paul was concerned that their manner of life be worthy of the gospel, and that they be not frightened by enemies and by suffering.

Study and Review
Questions Over Philippians Chapter One

(Give Scripture references with your answers if none are given in the questions.)

1.

What heading is suggested for Philippians chapter 1? Suggest another topic for the chapter if you wish.

2.

What two individuals joined in sending the epistle?

3.

Does the fact that Paul did not use the official title apostle at the start of the letter (as he did in Galatians 1:1) suggest anything to you? What?

4.

How do the two senders describe themselves? (Philippians 1:1). What is the meaning of this term?

5.

To what class of people in the Old Testament was the title servants of God often applied?

6.

By what word are the Philippians described in Paul's greeting? What is the meaning of this word?

7.

What does the word bishop mean?

8.

What other names are applied in the scripture to the same offices as the bishop?

9.

What does the word deacon mean? What briefly was the work of deacons?

10.

How many of Paul's epistles begin with a request for grace to be with his readers?

11.

What is grace?

12.

What else did Paul wish for them besides grace?

13.

What were Paul's feelings as he remembered the Philippians in prayer? (Philippians 1:3-4)

14.

What had the Philippians done that Paul described as fellowship in the gospel? (Compare Philippians 4:14-16.)

15.

What does the word fellowship mean?

16.

What was Paul's confidence concerning the good work done by the Philippians?

17.

What is the day of Jesus Christ?

18.

Why did Paul say in Philippians 1:7 that it was meet (or proper) for him to feel toward the Philippians the confidence he expressed in Philippians 1:6?

19.

In what three ways were the Philippians partakers of grace with Paul?

20.

What does confirmation of the gospel mean?

21.

How greatly did Paul long after the Philippians?

22.

Explain the phrase bowels of Jesus Christ in KJV of Philippians 1:8.

23.

What three things did Paul pray that the Philippians might do or be? (Philippians 1:9-11)

24.

What results occur when our love abounds more and more in knowledge and judgment? (Philippians 1:9-11)

25.

Revised version margin translates part of Philippians 1:9, So that ye may distinguish the things that differ. (Similarly Barclay). Discuss the meaning of this rendering.

26.

Explain the term offence in Philippians 1:10.

27.

What is the source of the fruit of righteousness?

28.

How had Paul's prison experiences generally affected the progress of the gospel?

29.

Where did Paul lodge while in Rome as a prisoner? (Acts 28:30)

30.

Where had Paul's faith and reputation become known? (Philippians 1:13)

31.

What was the Praetorian Guard (the palace)?

32.

What sort of bonds did Paul wear? (Philippians 1:14; Compare Ephesians 1:20; Acts 28:20)

33.

How had Paul's presence in Rome affected many of the brethren there?

34.

What did Paul mean by saying, Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife? Is this a description of heresy or of bad attitudes?

35.

Who were those who were guilty of preaching Christ of contention, supposing to add affliction to Paul's bondage?

36.

What was Paul's feeling toward those who preached the gospel contentiously?

37.

Does Paul's attitude toward insincere preaching indicate that we should approve of preaching mixed with denominational doctrines? Why or why not?

38.

What two things gave Paul assurance that his experiences would turn out to his salvation?

39.

What does the word salvation in Philippians 1:19 mean?

40.

How did Paul feel about the possibility of his being put to shame, that is, being humiliated into silence? (Philippians 1:20)

41.

What does magnify Christ in my body mean?

42.

In what circumstances did Paul expect that Christ would be magnified in his body?

43.

Explain the phrase For me to live is Christ. What does Christ have to do with the Christian's life?

44.

What advantage was there for Paul to continue living in the flesh?

45.

What advantage in dying? Which was preferable, living or dying?

46.

Where do Christians go when they depart from this life? (Compare 2 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:8)

47.

Did Paul conclude that he would remain alive or die?

48.

What purposes would be served by Paul's future presence with the Philippians? (Philippians 1:25)

49.

What sort of manner of life (KJV conversation) were the Philippians to live?

50.

What did Paul hope to hear about the state (or affairs) of the Philippians?

51.

What is the relation of the gospel to the faith as indicated by the expression the faith of the gospel?

52.

How were the Philippians to feel about their adversaries?

53.

Explain the expression an evident token of perdition. (Compare 2 Thessalonians 1:5)

54.

How is a Christian's boldness before adversaries an evident token of perdition to the adversaries?

55.

How is a Christian's boldness an evident token of salvation to the Christian himself?

56.

Does Paul speak of suffering as a privilege, or as a necessary evil to be endured?

57.

Who is set forth as an example of suffering with joy? (Philippians 1:30)

The apostle Paul gives two lettersEphesians and Colossiansto Tychicus to deliver.
Travelling with Tychicus on the thousand-mile trip to Colossae is the slave Onesimus, who clutches to himself a letter from Paul to his master Philemon.
Though Paul was under house arrest in his own rented dwelling, and chained always to a Roman guard, he was inwardly joyful, and thanked God for the faith and love of the Colossians and Ephesians.