WRITER, The apostle Paul.
DATE, uncertain. Probably written from Rome between 60 and 64 A.D.
THE CHURCH. The Philippian church was an ideal one in many respects. It was very appreciative and benevolent. SEE
Php 4:15,16 2Co 8:2
It was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey, in the midstof a storm of persecution. The beginnings of the work were small, among a few women at the river side. Lydia, a seller of purple, was the first convert, and she was soon joined by the Philippian jailor and his family. These, and perhaps a few others, became the nucleus of the church. SEE
Ac 16:12-40
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EPISTLE. It is a spiritual love letter to the church. It contains outbursts of warm affection and gratitude. Written under hard circumstances, while Paul was a prisoner, he strikes the keynotes of victory and joy.
REJOICING in PRAYER
Php 1:4
in the GOSPEL
Php 1:18
in CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Php 2:1,2
in SACRIFICES FOR THE CAUSE
Php 2:17,18
in THE LORD
Php 3:1
for the LOVING CARE of the church
Php 4.10
CENTRAL MESSAGE. Jesus Christ.
Ch. 1.
(1) As the source of spiritual fruit
Php 1:11
(2) As the theme of preaching
Php 1:18
(3) As the highest motive of Christian service
Php 1:20,21
Ch. 2.
(4) As exhibiting the only perfect spirit and example
Php 2:5-11
Ch. 3.
(5) The knowledge of whom, is the supreme prize for which to struggle in life
Php 3:7-14
(6) At whose appearing, believer's bodies shall be fashioned anew
Php 3:20,21
Ch. 4.
(7) Whose power is limitless in Christian lives
Php 4:13
(8) Who is the channel of divine supplies for every need
Php 4:19
SYNOPSIS.
Ch. 1. (1) The salutation
Php 1:1-7
(2) A personal disclosure by the apostle, of his inner life and his attitude toward the church.
(a) His solicitude for its spiritual development
Php 1:8-11
(b) His assurance that his bonds have proven a blessing to many
Php 1:12-19
(c) His expectation and desire, and whatever may be the outcome of his imprisonment, Christ may be magnified by his life or death
Php 1:20
(d) His realization of the gain of death for the believer, but feeling that his work is unfinished, he is hoping to visit the Philippian church once more
Php 1: 21-25
(e) His chief concern is for the faithfulness of the church in the midst of her persecutions
Php 1:27-30
Ch. 2.
(3) Exhortations, in respect to Christian life and character.
(a) To unity, humility, and self-forgetfulness
Php 2:1-4
(b) To the seeking of the mind of Christ
Php 2:5-13
(c) To co-operation with God, in working out personal salvation, and to live as the approved sons of God in an evil world
Php 2:12-16
(4) The apostle's commendation of his messengers, Timothy and Epaphroditus
Php 2:19-30
Ch. 3.
(5) Warnings against Judaizers
Php 3:1-3
(6) A narrative of the apostle's experiences.
(a) As a high class, zealous Jew, who had abandoned, as worthless, all his legal righteousness, to accept the righteousness by faith, in Christ
Php 3:4-9
(b) His supreme ambition being, to know Christ and partake of his resurrection and reach the final goal of a Christlike character
Php 3:10-14
(7) Further exhortations to the church:
(a) To follow the apostolic example
Php 3:15-17
(b) To beware of enemies of the cross
Php 3:18-19
(c) To be heavenly citizens, looking forward to a great change at the coming of the Lord
Php 3:20,21
Ch. 4.
(d) To steadfastness, unity, helpfulness, moderation, freedom from anxious care, prayerfulness, high thinking
4:1-8
(8) Closing words of appreciation, a promise of divine supplies for every need, the salutations and benedictions
4:10-23
(Outline from Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible)