Reference: Philippians, Epistle To
Easton
was written by Paul during the two years when he was "in bonds" in Rome (Php 1:7-13), probably early in the year A.D. 62 or in the end of 61.
The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger, with contributions to meet the necessities of the apostle; and on his return Paul sent back with him this letter. With this precious communication Epaphroditus sets out on his homeward journey. "The joy caused by his return, and the effect of this wonderful letter when first read in the church of Philippi, are hidden from us. And we may almost say that with this letter the church itself passes from our view. To-day, in silent meadows, quiet cattle browse among the ruins which mark the site of what was once the flourishing Roman colony of Philippi, the home of the most attractive church of the apostolic age. But the name and fame and spiritual influence of that church will never pass. To myriads of men and women in every age and nation the letter written in a dungeon at Rome, and carried along the Egnatian Way by an obscure Christian messenger, has been a light divine and a cheerful guide along the most rugged paths of life" (Professor Beet).
The church at Philippi was the first-fruits of European Christianity. Their attachment to the apostle was very fervent, and so also was his affection for them. They alone of all the churches helped him by their contributions, which he gratefully acknowledges (Ac 20:33-35; 2Co 11:7-12; 2Th 3:8). The pecuniary liberality of the Philippians comes out very conspicuously (Php 4:15). "This was a characteristic of the Macedonian missions, as 2Co 8 and 2Co 9 amply and beautifully prove. It is remarkable that the Macedonian converts were, as a class, very poor (2Co 8:2); and the parallel facts, their poverty and their open-handed support of the great missionary and his work, are deeply harmonious. At the present day the missionary liberality of poor Christians is, in proportion, really greater than that of the rich" (Moule's Philippians, Introd.).
The contents of this epistle give an interesting insight into the condition of the church at Rome at the time it was written. Paul's imprisonment, we are informed, was no hindrance to his preaching the gospel, but rather "turned out to the furtherance of the gospel." The gospel spread very extensively among the Roman soldiers, with whom he was in constant contact, and the Christians grew into a "vast multitude." It is plain that Christianity was at this time making rapid advancement in Rome.
The doctrinal statements of this epistle bear a close relation to those of the Epistle to the Romans. Compare also Php 3:20 with Eph 2:12,19, where the church is presented under the idea of a city or commonwealth for the first time in Paul's writings. The personal glory of Christ is also set forth in almost parallel forms of expression in Php 2:5-11, compared with Eph 1:17-23; 2:8; and Col 1:15-20. "This exposition of the grace and wonder of His personal majesty, personal self-abasement, and personal exaltation after it," found in these epistles, "is, in a great measure, a new development in the revelations given through St. Paul" (Moule). Other minuter analogies in forms of expression and of thought are also found in these epistles of the Captivity.
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I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. read more. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, read more. and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of his might which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God
remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are members of God's household,
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. read more. And this is my prayer, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Now I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, read more. but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
But our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
You yourselves also know, Philippians, that in the first preaching of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only;
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things were created through him and for him. read more. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might have the first place in everything. For all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in him and through him, to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Hastings
PHILIPPIANS, EPISTLE TO
1. The Church of Philippi.
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and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. We stayed in this city some days;
and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. We stayed in this city some days; and on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had come together. read more. A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, who was a worshiper of God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. When she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination. She brought her owners much profit by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way of salvation." She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out at that very moment. But when her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities, and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are throwing our city into an uproar. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." The crowd joined against them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and ordered them to be beaten with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!" And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. He took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with his whole household that he had believed in God. But when it was day, the magistrates sent their police, saying, "Release those men." And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace." But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us publicly, without trial, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now cast us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out." The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them, and they took them out and asked them to leave the city. They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days came to them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Paul said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended at all."
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.
Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. read more. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always making my prayer with joy in every prayer of mine for you all,
always making my prayer with joy in every prayer of mine for you all, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
For I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, read more. so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Now I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
Now I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have been encouraged to speak the word of God without fear.
and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have been encouraged to speak the word of God without fear.
and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have been encouraged to speak the word of God without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel;
The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed in anything, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed in anything, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I do not know.
But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I do not know. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better;
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
but to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, in no way frightened by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction to them, but of salvation for you and that too, from God. read more. For to you it has been granted for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. read more. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name,
Therefore God also highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news of you. read more. I have no one else like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
I have no one else like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know that he has proved his worth, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. read more. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; for he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was ill.
for he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may have less anxiety.
Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may have less anxiety. So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor men like him,
So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those mutilators of the body.
Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those mutilators of the body.
Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those mutilators of the body.
Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those mutilators of the body.
Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those mutilators of the body.
More than that, I count everything to be loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christthe righteousness that comes from God and is by faith, read more. that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who live according to the pattern you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
But our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, true yoke-fellow, to help these women who have struggled at my side in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Yes, and I ask you also, true yoke-fellow, to help these women who have struggled at my side in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Yes, and I ask you also, true yoke-fellow, to help these women who have struggled at my side in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you had no opportunity.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you had no opportunity.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you had no opportunity.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you had no opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to be in need, and I also know how to have plenty; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and want.
I know how to be in need, and I also know how to have plenty; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and want.
I know how to be in need, and I also know how to have plenty; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and want. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that in the first preaching of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only;
You yourselves also know, Philippians, that in the first preaching of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only; for even in Thessalonica you sent me a gift once and again for my needs.
for even in Thessalonica you sent me a gift once and again for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. read more. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
When you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our sins,
Tychicus will tell you all about my affairs. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.