Kress Biblical Resources :: Introductory Matters

Introductory Matters of Philippians

Living as Citizens of Heaven brings Unity and Joy, No Matter the Circumstances

1. The author (Phl 1:1a)
   1. The human author (Phl 1:1a)
      1. The men [fellow bond-slaves in the gospel ministry]
         1. Paul¹
         2. Timothy²
      2. Their ministry [unified in their service of Christ Jesus]
   2. The divine Author (2Ti 3:16-17; 2Pe 1:12-21, 2Pe 3:15-16; cf. Col 4:16; 1Th 2:13; 1Th 5:27; 2Th 3:1-4; 1Ti 5:18 in which Paul quotes Luke alongside Deu 25:4 and calls them “Scripture”)
2. The audience (Phl 1:1b)
   1. The original recipients (Phl 1:1b; cf. Phl 4:15; Act 16:12-40; 1Th 2:2)
      1. All the saints in Christ Jesus in Philippi
      2. Including the overseers and deacons
   2. The current recipients (cf. 2Pe 3:15-16)
3. The aim
   1. To thank and encourage the Philippians in their participation in the gospel ministry and support of Paul (Phl 1:3, 5; Phl 2:25, 30; Phl 4:10-20)
   2. To inform the Philippians of his current circumstances and the furtherance of the gospel ministry (Phl 1:12-14)
   3. To inform the Philippians of Timothy’s planned visit in the future, and explain why Epaphroditus was returning to them [i.e., gospel ministry relationships] (Phl 2:19-29)
   4. To exhort the Philippians in unity as they strive together for the faith of the gospel—even in the midst of difficulty and suffering (Phl 1:27-30; Phl 2:1-18; Phl 4:1-2)
   5. To warn against false teachers who trust something other than Christ for their righteousness before God [i.e., warning against those who oppose the gospel of Christ] (Phl 3:2-21)
   6. To encourage true joy based on the furtherance of the gospel, and relationships based on the gospel (Phl 1:4-5, 18, 25; Phl 2:2, 17-18, 28-29; Phl 3:1; Phl 4:1, 4, 10)
   7. To encourage believers as to the great hope of Christ’s return (Phl 1:6, 10; Phl 2:9-11, 16; Phl 3:20-21; Phl 4:5)
   8. To promote an all-consuming passion for the Person and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ (Phl 1:2, 11, 19-23; Phl 2:5-11, 21; Phl 3:3, 7-14, 20-21; Phl 4:23)
   9. Summary theme: Stand firm in unity and joy no matter the opposition, through an all-consuming passion for the Person and glory of Christ, the furtherance of the gospel, and the fellowship of the saints—until the day of Christ

¹For a biblical biography of the Apostle Paul see Act 7:58; Act 8:1; Act 9:1-30; Act 11:25-30; Act 12:25-28:31; 1Co 15:30-32; 2Co 6:4-5; 2Co 11:23-30; Gal 1:13-2:16; Phl 3:4-14; 2Th 3:8.

²For a biblical biography of Timothy see Act 16:1; Act 17:14-15; Act 18:5; 1Co 4:17; 1Co 16:10; Phl 2:19-23; 1Th 3:2, 6; 1Ti 1:2; 1Ti 5:23; Heb 13:23.