Philippians 1 Study Notes

1:1a Timothy was with Paul and Silas when they planted the church at Philippi (2:19-24; Ac 16). Servants expresses humility.

1:1b Saints are believers. Overseers and deacons (lit “servants”) indicate an emerging church structure that became full-blown in later years. On qualifications for overseers, see 1Tm 3:1-7; Ti 1:5-9; for deacons, see 1Tm 3:8-13.

1:2 Grace and peace, jointly from God and Jesus Christ, attest to the deity and equality of both.

1:3-4 When a church embraced the Lord and the gospel message as enthusiastically as the Philippians did, it was cause for great thanksgiving, even if there was cause for concern over unity.

1:5 Partnership (lit “fellowship”) expresses participation, including giving (4:10-20) and sending Epaphroditus (2:25). From the first day shows Paul’s continued joy in these believers, in spite of his initial difficulty in the city of Philippi (Ac 16).

1:6-8 Paul’s confidence in prayer resulted from the principle that God finishes what he begins, and the fact that the Philippians demonstrated their Christian character by joining in the support of the gospel work.

1:9-10 Paul prayed two petitions: a growing love (v. 9) and complete character (v. 10). Love (Gk agape-) is selfless action for another person. Knowledge and discernment together foster mature love. “Knowledge” is both intellectual and experiential. “Discernment” occurs only here in the NT and connotes moral sensitivity. Love enriched by knowledge and moral discernment leads believers to experience what really matters. The word pure emphasizes personal integrity; blameless means good character that survives all accusations.

1:11 The phrase filled with the fruit of righteousness expresses how a person attains purity and blamelessness. Righteousness is the character of those whom God declares righteous.

1:12 Paul’s attitude was that all that had happened to him served to promote the gospel. Advancement meant to blaze a trail (e.g., for an army). Paul’s difficult circumstances opened new opportunities for gospel witness.

1:13 The first opportunity (see v. 12 and note) for gospel witness involved the imperial guard, an elite military force charged with protecting the Roman emperor and his concerns. As the soldiers rotated shifts, each heard Paul’s message. Paul’s imprisonment was for Christ (lit “a prisoner of Christ”). The guard knew that Paul’s commitment to Christ had led to his arrest and imprisonment.

1:14-17 The second opportunity for gospel witness involved the church itself. Responding to Paul’s imprisonment, Christians divided into those who supported him and those who opposed him. Paul’s imprisonment spawned renewed enthusiasm for preaching in both groups, but the group that opposed him preached the gospel out of envy and rivalry. They hoped to cause Paul greater difficulty, perhaps an unfavorable trial verdict. Their motivation was selfish ambition, intending to cause . . . trouble by social turmoil. Paul does not say what drove the rivalry, but apparently they felt Christianity ought to have a different spokesperson than Paul. The group that supported Paul was motivated by good will and love. They realized Paul was appointed (lit “set”) by God for defending the gospel, especially to Gentiles. Neither of these groups is identified. Both seem to have held correct doctrine and proclaimed Christ, yet their disparate treatment of Paul indicates that even “correct” believers can behave wrongly.

1:18 Paul accepted the message and work of both groups. Trusting God’s sovereignty, he refused to condemn improper motivations as long as the end result was Christ . . . proclaimed.

1:19 Paul remained optimistic. Salvation may recall Job’s attitude (Jb 13:13-18). Paul expected exoneration because Christianity was not illegal throughout the Roman Empire at this time. Paul hoped for prayers, the “human” side, and help, divine assistance. “Prayers” implies intense intercession. God answers prayers with help, either something the Holy Spirit provides (a resource), or the presence of the Holy Spirit (the “Comforter”). The grammar of this verse joins “prayers” and “help,” indicating Paul’s dependence on both working together.

1:20 Ashamed implies cowering, running from battle, or embarrassment. Paul expected that Christ would be highly honored in his body. The physical body symbolizes earthly life. On earth, if Christ is not glorified in the body, he is not glorified at all. Further, Paul hoped Christ would also be glorified in his death.

1:21-24 To live is Christ restates the theme of v. 20. If he carried on living, every aspect of Paul’s life would continue to reveal Christ, which would make his life fruitful and worthwhile. Likewise, his death would be gain since it would usher him into Christ’s presence. Paul felt torn between the two (lit “in a dilemma”), acknowledging the benefits of both outcomes. The phrase is more necessary for your sake expresses Paul’s servant heart. A selfish outlook would make Paul prefer glorification and reward (via death) over continued life and ministry, but his priority was that Christ be honored and glorified.

1:25-26 Because Paul knew his work, even among the Philippians, was unfinished, he was convinced that he would be released. He apparently planned a trip to Philippi following that release.

1:27-28 Live your life (lit “conduct yourselves as citizens”; cp. Ac 23:1) alludes to Philippi’s political history, reminding the church of its higher citizenship (in the kingdom of God). Paul’s primary concern, that you are standing firm in one spirit, reflected military pride. Roman armies stood ready for combat regardless of the enemy’s level of strength and preparedness or the distracting enticements of culture. The church must manifest the same readiness. “One spirit” expresses the believer’s unified attitude. One accord (lit “same soul”) means that believers share “life.” Together they prevent divisiveness like Paul witnessed at Rome (vv. 14-17). Standing firm involves contending together. “Contending” comes from athletics where teams contended for a prize (cp. 4:3). Harmony, not individualism, achieves God’s purposes. Standing also involves not being frightened . . . by your opponents. Soldiers used “frightened” to describe horses that might easily be startled.

1:29-30 Granted (lit “by grace”) indicates that God “graces” Christians to believe and suffer on Christ’s behalf. Both contribute to Christ’s glory.