Philippians: Joy in Christ

Where Philippians sits

In the story

Act VI, Church · Rome, AD 60s and later

In the Bible

New Testament · Letters · book 50 of 66

Before it in the story

Philemon

After it in the story

1 Timothy

From Paul's Roman chains to the first church in Europe, ten years after its founding: the warmest of his letters, setting Christ's humiliation and exaltation at its heart.

Philippians summary

Paul writes from prison to the church at Philippi, his partners in the gospel since the day Lydia and the jailer believed, to thank them for the gift Epaphroditus brought. He thanks God for them with joy, sure that He who began a good work in them will complete it, and prays that their love will abound (1:1–11). His chains have advanced the gospel, and whatever the motives, Christ is preached; to him to live is Christ and to die is gain, but he expects to remain for their sake (1:12–26). Then he gives the theme: live as citizens worthy of the gospel, standing firm in one spirit and striving together, unafraid (1:27–30). That needs humility, and he sets before them Christ, who, existing in the form of God, emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant and humbled Himself to death on a cross, and whom God therefore exalted, so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. So they must work out their salvation, for God works in them, and shine as lights in the world; Timothy and Epaphroditus show the same mind (2). He warns them against those who boast in circumcision: he himself had every reason for confidence in the flesh, but counts it all loss to gain Christ and be found in Him with the righteousness from God that comes by faith; he presses on to the resurrection, and our citizenship is in heaven, from which the Savior will come (3). So they must stand firm and agree in the Lord, rejoice always, pray instead of worrying, and think on what is good; Paul has learned contentment in Christ, thanks them for their gift, a fragrant offering, and sends greetings from Caesar's household (4).

Philippians in context

Written by

Paul the apostle, with Timothy (1:1), writing as a prisoner (1:7, 13–14)

Written to

The saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with their overseers and deacons (1:1): a mostly Gentile church in a Roman colony, founded on Paul's second journey (Acts 16:12–40)

Setting

Written from prison, most likely the Roman house arrest of Acts 28:16–31, among the palace guard and Caesar's household (1:13; 4:22), awaiting a verdict that could mean release or death (1:19–26); Epaphroditus, who brought their gift and nearly died, carries the letter home (2:25–30; 4:18)

When

c. AD 61–62, from Rome, late in the house arrest. Some place it earlier, in an imprisonment at Ephesus (AD 52–55), or at Caesarea (AD 58–60) (see contested).

Why

To thank the Philippians for their gift and partnership; to tell them how the gospel advances through his chains; to call them to stand firm and united, with the humble mind of Christ; to warn them against confidence in the flesh and against those who live as enemies of the cross; to commend Timothy and Epaphroditus; and to fill them with joy in the Lord.

Themes of Philippians

• Joy in the Lord
• Partnership in the gospel
• The mind of Christ
• Christ humbled and exalted
• Righteousness from God by faith
• Citizens of heaven
• Suffering before glory
• God finishes His work
• Peace and contentment

Key verses in Philippians

• Philippians 1:6

  being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

• Philippians 1:21

  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

• Philippians 1:27

  Nevertheless, 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 together as one for the faith of the gospel,

• Philippians 2:5–8

  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross.

• Philippians 2:9–11

  Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, 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.

• Philippians 2:12–13

  Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

• Philippians 3:8–9

  More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

• Philippians 3:20–21

  But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

• Philippians 4:4–7

  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Philippians 4:13

  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Philippians chapter by chapter

Part 1 · Thanks and prayer for partners 1:1–11

Part 2 · Christ preached through Paul's chains 1:12–26

1. 1
   Philippians 1: To live is Christ, and to die is gain

   From prison Paul thanks God for the Philippians, rejoices that Christ is preached, and calls them to stand firm.

Part 3 · Worthy of the gospel: the mind of Christ 1:27–2:30

1. 2
   Philippians 2: He humbled Himself … Therefore God exalted Him

   Have Christ's mind: He humbled Himself to the cross and God exalted Him; so live humbly and shine.

Part 4 · No confidence in the flesh 3:1–21

1. 3
   Philippians 3: The righteousness from God on the basis of faith

   Paul counts his own righteousness loss to gain Christ and the righteousness from God by faith, and presses on.

Part 5 · Stand firm, rejoice, and thanks for the gift 4:1–23

1. 4
   Philippians 4: Rejoice in the Lord always

   Stand firm and agree; rejoice and pray in everything; Paul is content in Christ and thanks them for their gift.

See the outline of Philippians