Philippians

In Prison from Rome Paul writes to the Philippians in response to their love gifts and encourages them in the faith.  

Author & Date

Written by the apostle Paul during his first imprisonment at Rome. Ephesians, Colossians  and Philemon were written at the same time. They are known collectively as the ‘prison letters’.

Outline

To Live is Christ

A. Until the day of Christ Ch.1:1-11

1. Setting 1:1-2
2. Thanksgiving and prayer 1:3-11
   • Thanksgiving  vv3-8
   • Prayer  vv9-11

B. Christ Magnified Ch.1:12-30

1. The furtherance of the Gospel vv12-18
   • In the Palace
   • Among believers
   • Christ is preached
2. The furtherance of faith vv19-30
   • In nothing ashamed
   • Worthy of Christ

C. The Mind of Christ Ch.2:1-11

1. Paul’s appeal vv1-4
   • The motive
   • The mandate
2. Christ’s example vv5-11
   • Looking to Jesus
   • Christ’s self-humiliation
   • Christ highly exalted

D.  The work of Christ ch.2:12-30

1. The working in and out vv12-13
2. Blameless and harmless vv14-18
3. Timothy – naturally caring vv19-24
4. Epaphroditus – not regarding his life vv25-30

E. Apprehended by Christ Ch.3:1-21

1. Warnings (1) – the Judaisers vv1-3
2. Paul, an example vv14-16
   • Advantages of the flesh
   • Counting all as loss
   • Pressing towards the mark
3. Warning (2) – the sensualists vv17-21
   • Imitators together
   • Those minding earthly things
   • Our citizenship

F. Stand fast in Christ Ch.4:1-21

1. Stand fast v1
2. Exhortations vv2-9
3. Contentment vv10-13
4. God’s supply vv14-20
5. Salutations vv21-23

Notes

a. background

Phillipi was a Roman colony and Paul visited the city after a vision in Asia minor. The Apostolic party met a group of  praying women and the church was born,  Paul ended up in prison and when  released had to move on  Acts 16;6-40.

From NT references it is clear that the Philippians sent gifts to Paul.

See Acts 17:1; Phil. 4:14-16; II Cor. 8:1-6; 11:9.