Philippians Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS The Epistle to the Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul to the Christians at Philippi. It was written sometime around AD 63, while Paul was in prison. Philippi was a city of Macedonia at the northern end of the Aegean Sea, just east of Greece. Paul visited Philippi three times (Acts 16:12-40; 20:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:1). It was on his first visit that he was imprisoned because the Lord used him to cast out a demon from a slave girl. His imprisonment brought about the salvation of the Philippian jailer and his family, and a church grew up in the city. The letter acknowledges a gift of money sent to Paul from the Christians at Philippi. (See 2 Corinthians 8:1-7). The church at Philippi is a great example of giving to the work of God. This was a very personal letter written to thank them and instruct them. As you read this Epistle notice the personal pronouns “you”, “yours”, and “ye” that occur seventy-six times. You may be very poor, but God is personally interested in you. Notice also that Paul was full of joy while in prison. The words “joy” and “rejoice” or some form of it is found eighteen times. (See 1:12-18; 4:4) From this Epistle we see great examples in Paul (1:27-30), Timothy (2:19-24), Epaphroditus (2:25-30); but above all, the humility of Christ (2:5-8). It tells us of great peace we should have with one another and with ourselves in Christ. (4:4-8) As you read this Epistle, may the Holy Spirit speak to your heart about the great joy and peace you can have no matter what you may be going through at this present time.
KEY VERSE: Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
KEY WORD: JOY – Found 16 times in 4 chapters. Someone has said that Paul’s chains sounded like “JOY BELLS.”
THEME: 1) God is all sufficient to be the strength of the believers and to meet his needs. (2) Rejoice in the Lord regardless of the circumstances.
DATE: 63 A.D. (approximately) Ten years after Paul was in Philippi.
WRITER: The Apostle Paul. (See I Corinthians).
WRITTEN TO: Believers in Philippi. From: Mamretine Prison in Rome.
THE BOOK: Number in Bible – 50th book of the Bible. Number of chapters – 4. Number of verses – 104. Number in order of writing – 11th in New Testament.
PURPOSE: The Philippians had sent a gift to Paul by the hand of Epaphroditus (4:18) when he was in prison in Rome. While he was in Rome, Epaphroditus became seriously ill and on the verge of death (2:27). The Philippians were concerned over his illness and Epaphroditus was disturbed by their concern and longed to see them (2:26). After he recovered, Paul sent him back to the Philippians (2:25) for the following reasons: (1) To thank them for their gift. (2) To express his love for them. (3) To tell of his work and release. (4) To warn them of dangers.
DIVISIONS: 1. The believer rejoices in Suffering (Ch. 1). 2. The believer rejoices in Service (Ch. 2).
- The believer rejoices in Spite of Imperfections (Ch. 3). 4. The believer rejoices over Anxiety (Ch. 4)
OUTLINE BY CHAPTER: Inward Look (Ch.1) – Testimony of Christian (Ch.1). Backward Look (Ch.2) – Temperament of Christian (Ch.2). Forward Look (Ch.3) – Treasury of Christian (Ch.3). Upward Look (Ch.4) – Triumph of Christian (Ch.4). Within Us (Ch.1) – Christ our Passion (Ch.1). Behind Us (Ch.2) – Christ our Pattern (Ch.2). Before Us (Ch.3) – Christ our Prize (Ch.3). Above Us (Ch.4) – Christ our Power (Ch.4). Happy Mind (Ch.1) – Christ our Life (Ch.1). Humble Mind (Ch.3) – Christ our Goal (Ch.3). Holy Mind (Ch.4) – Christ our Power (Ch.4). In Christ (Ch.1) – Living for Christ (Ch.1). Like Christ (Ch.2) – Laboring for Christ (Ch.2). Know Christ (Ch.3) – Looking to Christ (Ch.3). Through Christ (Ch.4) – Learning of Christ (Ch.4).
MISCELLANEOUS: 1. Christ mentioned 40 times in Philippians. 2. Sin not mentioned at all. 3. Philippians one of four prison epistles. (Others: Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon.) 4. Addressed to three groups: Saints, Bishops and Deacons. 5. Background in Acts 16. 6. Delivered by Epaphroditus. 7. The church established on second missionary journey. 8. Church begun with three converts: Lydia, demon possessed girl, and the Philippian jailer.
CHRIST IN PHILIPPIANS: 1. We are to Preach Christ (1:15-16). 2. We are to Live Christ (1:20-21. 3. We are to Confess Christ (2:20). 4. We are to Trust Christ (2:19-24). 5. We are to Win Christ (3:8). 6. We are to Know Christ (3:10). 7. We are to Expect Christ (3:20).
For this lesson, the lesson material is included in the quiz, please take the quiz to the right, feel free to use your bible.
