A Call to Rejoice
Philippians 1:1 - Book Level Survey
Philippians Topical Overview Series
January 25, 2009
Evening Service
Introduction
Have you ever been waiting for an important piece of mail? You got out with expectations to find that mail each day. Sometimes we wait several days and other times we wait weeks before the package arrives. Waiting can be frustrating because of our anticipation or excitement.
The anticipation is fulfilled the day that the letter or package arrives. One that day our expectation is satisfied. If you can relate or imagine this kind of anticipation, you can multiply that feeling one hundred times over and begin to understand what it was like to wait on a letter during the ancient days.
Couriers did not travel like the modern post office. Someone carried the letter personally from the sender to those receiving the letter. There would be an incredible excitement when a letter arrived because it was indeed a rare occasion. There must have been great excitement when Epaphroditus returned to Philippi with a letter from the Apostle Paul.
As we begin our topical survey of Philippians, we need to understand some of the background facts about the letter.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Philippians 1:1
Authorship
As we read the first verse of the letter clearly, the author is the Apostle Paul. Paul founded the Philippians church in Acts chapter 16 following his vision of the man from Macedonia. Paul led a team of evangelistic church planters into Philippi and among them were Silas, Timothy and Luke, writer of the gospel and the book of Acts. Paul is writing to the church from prison, he claims that he is in chains. Likely Paul is serving his first imprisonment in Rome that the final verses of Acts refer.
The second name on the letter is Timothy. It is unlikely that Timothy has done any of the writing of this letter but rather is with Paul when the letter was written. Remember Timothy was with Paul when the Philippian church was founded. The people of the church would have remembered Timothy and Paul greets the church from Timothy as well. Timothy would be traveling to Philippi in the near future to help continue the work that Paul had started with the church.
Emotional Tone
Paul writes this letter in an incredibly warm and affectionate tone. The letter feels this way because of the wording that Paul uses throughout the letter. Here are a few examples
I thank my God every time I remember you. 1:3
In all my prayers, I always pray with joy 1:4
It is right for me to feel this way about you, since I have you in my heart. 1:7
Audience
Paul writes this letter specifically for the church in Philippi. He specifically writes first to the leaders of the church and then addresses the whole church in general. The leaders would read the letter first before passing it on or reading it to the whole church. In many ways, the message is for the entire church.
Paul addresses the believers in Philippi as saints. In our modern context, we usually reserve the term saint for someone who is considered a pillar of the church. However, this does raise an important question: who were the saints? From the records of Acts 16 we know three of the possible saints in the church. There was Lydia, the first Christian convert in Philippi, who was a merchant dealing in colored cloth. The demon possessed slave girl was likely a convert following Paul’s exorcism of her demon. The Philippian jailer who was converted following the earthquake that freed Paul and Silas.
We see others mentioned within the letter itself. Epaphroditus is a leader within the church who was with Paul at the time of the letter being written. Epaphroditus had been sent by the church to help care for the needs of Paul while he was in prison. He will deliver the letter to the church upon his return to Philippi and is likely one of the key leaders.
Euodia and Syntyche are two women within the church who hold some prominence and influence. Paul addressed both of these women because they are at the center of a feud that seems to be tearing the church apart. These women were causing a great deal of controversy within the church.
Clement is mentioned only in the letter to Philippians and we know little about this man. We know that he clearly worked with Paul in Philippi. Ancient tradition claims that this man may have been the Philippian jailer. There is one other unnamed person mentioned: the loyal yokefellow. It is unclear who this may be but the term could be plural and be a reference to the entire church or it could be a key leader within the church.
Purpose
There are a number of reasons that Paul writes this letter to the Philippian church. Four key reasons seem to be evident in the text.
A Joyous Reminder
Paul writes to the church as a means to remind them of the true source of joy. The Philippian church was undergoing intense persecution and was dealing with some significant internal strife. Paul was simply calling the church to remain focused on their mission and on whom they are serving, Christ Jesus. Beyond any doubt this purpose weaves throughout the body of the letter. Joy seems to pour out of through the words and pages.
A report on Epaphroditus
This letter to the Philippians automatically implies additional correspondence that we do not possess. As Paul writes on the condition of Epaphroditus, the Philippians have obviously heard about his illness and have become concerned about his condition. Paul takes the opportunity to praise Epaphroditus for his service and commends him to the church as he returns.
Response to reports about the church
Likely Epaphroditus has brought a report about the church or maybe even a correspondence from the church or leaders in the church. There is a clear message that the church is suffering persecution and is possibly discouraged in the midst of incredible hardships. Epaphroditus obviously shares the internal issues with Paul. Paul gives no doctrinal corrections in this letter, unlike the majority of his epistles, but offers some practical suggestions to the church.
Paul thanks the church for their gift
The Philippian church had sent aid to Paul during his imprisonment. Remember that Paul was required to pay the expenses of his prison stay. These expenses would have included pay for the guards, food for himself and the guards, and any other personal needs that may have been essential. The church has sent Epaphroditus to help Paul and to be of service while Paul was in prison. Likely he would have filled various roles including the running of errands, purchasing of food and running correspondence. Paul makes it clear that the church had supported him in the past and was now renewing their support. Paul thanks the church for their gift and their previous support.
Major Theme Study of Philippians
In Christ
The phrase in Christ appears eight different times through the letter to the Philippians and is one of the major themes that Paul addresses. The wording is important because Paul does not use in Jesus, by Jesus or even because of Jesus. Paul makes the usage in Christ for two important reasons. The first is that he is writing to Jewish converts to the faith. Making the claim that Jesus is the Christ or messiah was vital to the message Paul preached in Philippi and this was another way of reminding them of that fact.
The second reason is a bit more subtle but it is clear. Paul seems to making a clear connection to the benefit of being part of the church or body of Christ. One issue that Paul addresses with the church is unity. Communicating the fact that the believers had a common bond in Christ would go a long way in restoring the unity of the church.
Notice all of the things that Paul writes here that we gain by a relationship with Christ.
Believers are in Christ (1:1)
Our joy is in Christ (1:26)
Our glory is in Christ (3:3)
Our confidence or faith is in Christ (3:9)
Our hope is in Christ (3:14)
Our peace is in Christ (4:7)
Our reward or blessings are in Christ (4:19)
Our citizenship is in Christ (4:21)
Joy
Philippians is often called the epistle or letter of joy, for good reason. Paul writes extensively on the topic of joy in this letter. Paul uses the word joy or rejoice, 14 separate times and the theme flows in every chapter of the book. Considering the length of the letter Paul is clearly making a bold statement. The theme is a continual reminder to the Philippians that joy is to be a part of the Christian life and a constant aspect of the Christian walk. Each chapter is a vivid reminder that Christians are to live their lives with a sense of joy.
How can we live a Christian life without joy? A joyless Christian is like a stream without water, it cannot exist. Joy flows into our lives from heaven itself and absolutely nothing will ever be able to take it away.
Notice how Paul weaves joy throughout the book of Philippians.
Joy flows from faith in Christ (1:25)
Joy comes from proclaiming the gospel (1:18)
Joy is a product of church unity (2:2)
Joy is beyond personal circumstances (2:17-18)
Joy is a personal choice (3:1, 4:4)
Living for Christ
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain 1:21
Paul stressed the importance of living for Christ. Listen to a few of the things that he writes to the Philippians
Whatever happened conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of Christ1:27
… you shine like stars in the universe 2:15
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you 3:17
Paul believed that Christians needed to live differently than those in the world around them. There needs to be a fundamental difference in our behavior and those who do not claim to know Christ. He was calling the Philippians to rise above the chaos and cares of the world to live out the Christian life.
Suffering
Paul understood the reality of suffering, he wrote this letter from prison. Paul knew that the Philippians were undergoing great trials and that there was internal strife in the church. He writes to both encourage and strengthen the church. Paul had been a living example of suffering for the gospel when he was in Philippi. Remember that he and Silas were beaten and imprisoned unjustly when they started the church there in Philippi. Paul was no strange to suffering and trials. He wrote to remind the Philippians that there was hope beyond personal or corporate suffering.
Church Unity
One of the main reasons Paul writes this letter was to remind the church that they must remain united. The only way that a church can stand in this world is to be united in the service of Christ. Paul was trying to stop an ongoing feud within the church between two women.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 1:27
Paul clearly calls for the church to stand together in the midst of internal and external hardships. Our common bond flows out of our unity in Christ.
