Outline taken by Thompson Chain Reference Bible
Writer: The Apostle Paul
Date: uncertain. Probably written from Rome between 60 and 64 A.D.
THE CHURCH: The Philippian church was an ideal one in many respects. It was very appreciative and benevolent. See ch. 4:15, 15; 2 Co. 8:2
It was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey, in the midst of a storm of persecution. The beginnings of the work were small, among a few women at the river side. Lydia, a seller of purple, was the first convert, and she was soon joined by the Philippian jailor and his family. These, and perhaps a few others, became the nucleus of the church. See Acts 16:12-40.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EPISTLE. It is a spiritual love letter to the church. It contains outbursts of warm affection and gratitude. Written under hard circumstances, while Paul was a prisoner, he strikes the keynotes of victory and joy.
REJOICING: in prayer, ch. 1:4; in the gospel, ch. 1:18; in Christian fellowships, ch. 2:1,2; in sacrifices for the cause, ch. 2:17,18, in the Lord, Ch. 3:1; for the loving care of the church, ch. 4:10.
CENTRAL MESSAGE Jesus Christ.
Ch.1 (1) As the source of spiritual fruit, v. 11.
(2) As the theme of preaching, v. 18.
(3) As the highest motive of Christian service, vs. 20, 21.
Ch.2 (4) As exhibiting the only perfect spirit and example, vs. 5-11
Ch.3 (5) The knowledge of whom, is the supreme prize for which to struggle in life, vs. 7-14.
(6) At whose appearing, believer's bodies shall be fashioned anew, vs 20, 21.
Ch.4 (7) Whose power is limitless in Christian lives, v. 13.
(8) Who is the channel of divine supplies for every need, v. 19.
SYNOPSIS
Ch. 1 (1) The Salutation, vs. 1-7.
(2) A personal disclosure by the apostle, of his inner life and his attitude toward the church.
(a) His solicitude for its spiritual development, vs. 8-11.
(b) His assurance that his bonds have proven a blessing to many, vs. 12-19.
(c) His expectation and desire, that whatever may be the outcome of his imprisonment, Christ
may be magnified by his life or death, v. 20.
(d) His realization of the gain of death for the believer, but feeling that his work is unfinished, he is
hoping to visit the Philippian church once more, vs. 21-25.
(e) His chief concern is for the faithfulness of the church in the midst of her persecutions,
vs. 27-30.
Ch.2 (3) Exhortations, in respect to Christian life and character.
(a) To unity, humility, and self-forgetfulfulness, vs. 1-4.
(b) To the seeking of the mind of Christ, vs. 5-13.
(c) To co-operation with God, in working out personal salvation, and to live as the approved
sons of God in an evil world, vs. 12-16.
(4) The Apostle's commendation of his messengers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, vs. 19-30.
Ch.3. (5) Warnings against Judaizers, vs. 1-3.
(6) A narrative of the apostle's experiences.
(a) As a high class, zealous Jew, who had abandoned, as worthless, all his legal righteousness,
to accept the righteousness by faith, in Christ, vs. 4-9.
(b) His supreme ambition being, to know Christ and partake of his resurrection and reach the
final goal of a Christlike character, vs. 10-14.
(7) Further Exhortations to the church:
(a) To follow the apostolic example, vs. 15-17.
(b) To beward of enemies of the cross, vs. 18-19.
(c) To be heavenly citizens, looking forwad to a great change at the coming of the Lord,
vs. 20, 21
Ch.4 (d) To steadfastness, unity, helpfulness, moderation, freedom from anxious care,
prayerfulness, high thinking, vs. 1-8.
(8) Closing words of appreciation, a promise of divine supplies for every need, the salutations and benediction, vs. 10-23.
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