PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:1 Greeting and Prayer. Paul greets his readers and expresses his gratitude (vv. Philippians 1:3) and affection (vv. Philippians 1:7) for them. He then prays that their love and holiness will increase (vv. Philippians 1:9). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:3 Paul’s letters frequently begin with thanksgiving and prayer. The prayer here helps establish the letter’s major themes. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:6 WILL BRING IT TO COMPLETION. Genuine spiritual progress is built upon what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do. God’s faithfulness means he will be with believers until Jesus returns (THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST; compare Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 5... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:7 Paul’s IMPRISONMENT would have been a source of great shame in that culture, but the Philippians still supported him. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:9 PURE AND BLAMELESS does not imply instant spiritual perfection. It means an increasing likeness to Christ. FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Because that fruit comes THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, it will result in the GLORY AND PRAISE OF GOD. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElement... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:12 Paul’s Reflections on His Imprisonment. Paul assures the Philippians that the gospel is still advancing even though he is in prison (vv. Philippians 1:12). He is joyfully confident. No matter what happens, he will be delivered and Christ will be honored. For him,... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:15 Those who PREACH CHRIST FROM ENVY AND RIVALRY are likely Christians who preached the gospel but were at odds with Paul for some reason. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:19 DELIVERANCE. Either deliverance from prison or the deliverance of eternal salvation. Paul may intend both meanings, since he mentions his imprisonment in vv. Philippians 1:12 and focuses on the eternal in v. Philippians 1:23. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:20 The crucial thing for Paul is not LIFE or death. It is maintaining his faithful witness to Christ. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:21 Paul’s life is all about the advancement of Christ’s kingdom. Thus, TO LIVE means serving CHRIST. TO DIE IS GAIN, because then Paul would be in Christ’s presence. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:22 Paul knows that the way of Jesus is the way of service (see Philippians 2:5). He is CONVINCED that he will REMAIN AND CONTINUE with the Philippians for their PROGRESS AND JOY IN THE FAITH. Paul is not thinking about his own crisis. He is giving the Philippians a... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:23 MY DESIRE IS TO DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST. When Christians die, they are immediately with Christ—long before their bodies are raised from the dead (see note on 1 Cor. 15:23). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.lengt... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:27 Paul’s sacrifice will be useless, however, if the Philippians do not continue to live in a way that is “worthy of the gospel of Christ.” ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:28 DESTRUCTION. Eternal destruction, so these are different opponents from those in vv. Philippians 1:15, who were Christians. A different city is in view as well. Here Paul speaks about what is happening in Philippi, while in vv. Philippians 1:15 his opponents are... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:29 Both suffering and faith have BEEN GRANTED TO YOU as gifts of God. Suffering for the sake of Jesus is a great privilege (see Matthew 5:10; Acts 5:41). Paul again presents himself as an example of one who has maintained his joy while experiencing the SAME CONFLICT... [ Continue Reading ]