Kress Biblical Resources :: Detailed Outline

Detailed Outline of Philippians

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

1. Introduction (Phl 1:1-2)
   1. The writer (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 recipients (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 3:16)
   3. The requisite greeting (Phl 1:2)
      1. The greeting/prayer of grace to you and peace (Phl 1:2a)
      2. The Giver of grace and peace (Phl 1:2b)
2. Praying for fellow participants in the gospel of grace (Phl 1:3-11)
   1. The practice and perspective of intercessory prayer (Phl 1:3-8)
      1. The practice and perspective of thankfulness (Phl 1:3)
         1. Thanking God (Phl 1:3a)
            1. It was a personal thanksgiving
            2. It was a persistent thanksgiving
         2. Thinking of others (Phl 1:3b)
      2. The practice of prayer with the perspective of joy (Phl 1:4-6)
         1. The many entreaties (Phl 1:4a)
         2. The manifold joy (Phl 1:4b)
         3. The ministry partnership (Phl 1:5)
         4. The marked confidence (Phl 1:6)
      3. The presence and perspective of affection (Phl 1:7-8)
         1. Because of their participation in grace (Phl 1:7)
         2. Because of Paul’s perspective in Christ (Phl 1:8)
   2. The petition of intercessory prayer (Phl 1:9-11)
      1. Growth in biblical love, wisdom, and righteous character (Phl 1:9-11a)
         1. Love that abounds more and more, yet is governed by knowledge and discernment (Phl 1:9)
         2. Discernment that issues in sincerity and integrity (Phl 1:10)
         3. Righteous character through Jesus Christ (Phl 1:11a)
      2. God’s glory (Phl 1:11b)
3. Promoting Christ’s exaltation no matter the circumstances, whether by life or by death (Phl 1:12-26)
   1. Joy in the painful circumstances (Phl 1:12-18b)
      1. Relating the progress of the gospel in and through imprisonment (Phl 1:12-17)
         1. Christ’s glory revealed to the Philippians (Phl 1:12)
         2. Christ’s glory revealed to the Praetorian Guard and everyone else (Phl 1:13)
         3. Christ’s glory revealed by the brethren (Phl 1:14)
         4. Christ’s glory revealed by those with pure motives and those who witness out of selfish ambition (Phl 1:15-17)
            1. The truth about those preaching Christ (Phl 1:15)
            2. The true preachers’ motives examined more closely (Phl 1:16)
            3. The treacherous preachers’ motives examined more closely (Phl 1:17)
      2. Rejoicing in the proclamation of Christ no matter what (Phl 1:18ab)
         1. The cause of joy (Phl 1:18a)
         2. The choice of joy (Phl 1:18b)
   2. Joy in the prospects of the future (Phl 1:18c-26)
      1. Paul’s passionate conviction concerning His life’s ambition—Christ’s exaltation (Phl 1:18c-21)
         1. Christ’s exaltation certified Paul’s future rejoicing (Phl 1:18c)
         2. Christ’s exaltation could be accomplished in Paul’s life through the prayers of others and the provision of the Spirit of Christ (Phl 1:19)
         3. Christ’s exaltation characterized Paul’s life ambition (Phl 1:20-21)
            1. His confidence (Phl 1:20a)
            2. His concern stated negatively (Phl 1:20b)
            3. His concern stated positively (Phl 1:20c)
            4. His creed (Phl 1:21)
      2. Paul’s precious conundrum/quandary concerning life and death (Phl 1:22-24)
         1. To live on for Christ—fruitful labor (Phl 1:22)
         2. To depart and be with Christ—far better personally (Phl 1:23)
         3. To remain on in the flesh for the sake of the Philippians—quite needful (Phl 1:24)
      3. Paul’s personal conviction concerning the future (Phl 1:25-26)
         1. The knowledge that he would remain for their sake (Phl 1:25)
         2. The next reunion that would bring even greater confidence in Christ (Phl 1:26)
4. Practically living out humility, love, and obedience in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Phl 1:27-30; Phl 2:1-30)
   1. Keep on conducting yourselves as citizens worthy of the gospel (Phl 1:27-30)
      1. The command (Phl 1:27a)
      2. The commitment (Phl 1:27b-30)
         1. Standing firm in unity (Phl 1:27b)
         2. Striving together for the faith of the gospel (Phl 1:27c)
         3. Standing strong in the face of opposition and suffering (Phl 1:28-30)
            1. The sign of salvation—courage in the face of opposition (Phl 1:28ab)
            2. The gift of God—not only faith in Christ but also suffering for His sake (Phl 1:28c-29)
            3. The fellowship of Paul—the fight/agony of faith (Phl 1:30)
   2. Keep on considering one another as more important than yourselves (Phl 2:1-11)
      1. The exhortation to biblical love and humility (Phl 2:1-4)
         1. The motivations behind biblical love and humility (Phl 2:1-2a)
            1. Encouragement in Christ (Phl 2:1a)
            2. Consolation of love (Phl 2:1b)
            3. Fellowship of the Spirit (Phl 2:1c)
            4. Affection and compassion (Phl 2:1d)
            5. Apostolic joy (Phl 2:2a)
         2. The manifestations of biblical love and humility (Phl 2:2b-4)
            1. Unity (Phl 2:2bcde)
               1. Same mind (Phl 2:2b)
               2. Same love (Phl 2:2c)
               3. United in spirit (Phl 2:2d)
               4. Intent on one purpose (Phl 2:2e)
            2. Humility (Phl 2:3)
               1. Doing nothing from selfishness or empty conceit (Phl 2:3a)
               2. Regarding one another as more important than self (Phl 2:3b)
            3. Love/concern for others (Phl 2:4)
      2. The Example of biblical love and humility (Phl 2:5-11)
         1. The mind of Christ is required to live out biblical love and humility (Phl 2:5)
         2. The mind of Christ is revealed when you understand who He is, what He did, and the final result of His sacrificial love and self-humbling (Phl 2:6-11)
            1. Understand His sovereignty as God (Phl 2:6)
            2. Understand His Self-emptying in becoming a man (Phl 2:7)
            3. Understand His Self-humiliation, submission, sacrifice on the cross (Phl 2:8)
            4. Understand His super-exaltation as Lord of all, which followed His submission and sacrifice (Phl 2:9-11)
               1. The reason for His exaltation (Phl 2:9a)
               2. The Source of His exaltation (Phl 2:9b)
               3. The supremacy of His exaltation (Phl 2:9c)
               4. The result of His exaltation (Phl 2:10-11a)
               5. The purpose of His exaltation (Phl 2:11b)
   3. Keep on conforming to the Word of God, as children of God (Phl 2:12-18)
      1. The paradox of faith-driven obedience (Phl 2:12-13)
         1. The believer’s responsibility—“work out your salvation” (Phl 2:12)
            1. The commitment of obedience (Phl 2:12abc)
               1. Based on Christ’s submission and obedience (Phl 2:12a)
               2. Based on their relationship with Paul (Phl 2:12b)
               3. Based on a pattern of obedience (Phl 2:12c)
            2. The command of obedience (Phl 2:12d)
            3. The concern of obedience (Phl 2:12e)
         2. The believer’s rest—“for it is God who is at work in you” (Phl 2:13)
            1. The Person who ultimately works out your salvation—God (Phl 2:13a)
            2. The place where He is at work—in you (Phl 2:13b)
            3. The process by which He is at work—to will and to work (Phl 2:13c)
            4. The purpose for which He is at work (Phl 2:13d)
      2. The practice of faith-driven obedience (Phl 2:14-16)
         1. Obey without grumbling or disputing (Phl 2:14)
         2. Obey so that you may shine forth as children of God, as lights in a dark world (Phl 2:15)
         3. Obey by holding fast [holding forth] the word of life (Phl 2:16a)
         4. Obey so that those who proclaimed the Word to you will not have toiled in vain (Phl 2:16b)
      3. The Pauline example of faith-driven obedience (Phl 2:17-18)
         1. The drink-offering—a picture of pouring oneself out completely in the worship of God (Phl 2:17a)
         2. The delight of unified worship (Phl 2:17b-18)
   4. Keep on cherishing fellowship relationships, and those who model humility, love, and submission to God’s will (Phl 2:19-30)
      1. The example of Paul (Phl 2:19-30)
         1. In sending Timothy (Phl 2:19-24)
            1. Concern for the welfare of others (Phl 2:19-21)
               1. A desire to know of the spiritual condition of friends in Christ (Phl 2:19)
               2. A desire to see them grow in Christ (Phl 2:20-21)
            2. Concern for the furtherance of the gospel (Phl 2:22)
            3. Concern for giving of oneself in order to bless friends in Christ (Phl 2:23-24)
               1. Proper communication pursued (Phl 2:23)
               2. Personal coming planned (Phl 2:24)
         2. In sending Epaphroditus (Phl 2:25-30)
            1. Concern for the welfare of others (Phl 2:25-28)
               1. The welfare of Epaphroditus (Phl 2:25-27)
               2. The welfare of the Philippians (Phl 2:25-26, Phl 2:28)
            2. Concern for the proper response to those who sacrifice of themselves for the sake of the gospel (Phl 2:29-30)
      2. The example of Timothy (Phl 2:19-24)
         1. His personal history (Phl 2:19; Phl 2:22)
         2. His passionate concern (Phl 2:20-21)
            1. The interests/welfare of the Philippians (Phl 2:20)
            2. The interests of Christ Jesus (Phl 2:21)
         3. His proven worth (Phl 2:22)
         4. His particular mission in regard to the Philippians (Phl 2:23-24)
            1. Information (Phl 2:23)
            2. Reservations (Phl 2:24)
      3. The example of Epaphroditus (Phl 2:25-30)
         1. His ministry (Phl 2:25)
            1. In relation to Paul (Phl 2:25abc)
               1. Brother (Phl 2:25a)
               2. Co-worker (Phl 2:25b)
               3. Co-soldier (Phl 2:25c)
            2. In relation to the Philippians (Phl 2:25de)
               1. An apostle from the Philippians (Phl 2:25d)
               2. An attendant from the Philippians to meet Paul’s need (Phl 2:25e)
         2. His mindset (Phl 2:26)
         3. His malady and merciful recovery (Phl 2:27)
         4. His mission in returning to Philippi (Phl 2:28)
         5. His much deserved honor (Phl 2:29-30)
            1. The reception he is to be given (Phl 2:29a)
            2. The regard he is to be held in (Phl 2:29b)
            3. The reason for this honor (Phl 2:30)
5. Pressing on in faith toward the goal of Christlikeness (Phl 3; Phl 4:1)
   1. Living by faith as opposed to putting confidence in the flesh [You must avoid the error of the legalists] (Phl 3:1-16)
      1. The summary command for living by faith—“Rejoice in the Lord” (Phl 3:1)
         1. The prescription—“Keep rejoicing in the Lord” (Phl 3:1a)
         2. The protection it brings (Phl 3:1b)
      2. The surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus by faith (Phl 3:2-11)
         1. The caution concerning legalists (Phl 3:2)
            1. Their character is unclean (Phl 3:2a)
            2. Their conduct is evil (Phl 3:2b)
            3. Their confidence (faith) is misplaced [Their circumcision is really mutilation] (Phl 3:2c)
         2. The comfort and confession of all true believers (Phl 3:3)
            1. We belong to the true people of God (Phl 3:3a)
            2. We bring worship in the Spirit of God (Phl 3:3b)
            3. We boast only in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh (Phl 3:3c)
         3. The contrast between Paul’s former life, and his life of faith (Phl 3:4-11)
            1. His former life remembered—Valuing religious credentials (Phl 3:4-6)
               1. Paul’s argument (Phl 3:4)
               2. Paul’s accomplishments and religious credentials (Phl 3:5-6)
            2. His life of faith revealed—Valuing Christ above all else (Phl 3:7-11)
               1. His repentance in regard to former religious achievements (Phl 3:7)
               2. His re-evaluation of all things in light of knowing Christ (Phl 3:8)
               3. His reception of Christ’s righteousness by faith (Phl 3:9)
               4. His relationship with Christ—the all-consuming passion (Phl 3:10)
               5. His resurrection hope (Christlikeness)—the sanctifying prize (Phl 3:11)
      3. The steadfast pursuit of the prize, which is Christlikeness (Phl 3:12-16)
         1. The personal perspective and pursuit of the Apostle Paul (Phl 3:12-14)
            1. His personal perspective—not yet perfected (Phl 3:12a)
            2. His personal pursuit—pressing on in pursuit of Christlikeness (Phl 3:12b)
            3. His public profession—not yet perfected (Phl 3:13a)
            4. His preeminent pursuit—pressing on for the prize of Christlikeness (Phl 3:13b-14)
               1. Choosing to forget what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead (Phl 3:13b)
               2. Chasing the finish line and the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phl 3:14)
         2. The proper perspective and pursuit for all believers (Phl 3:15-16)
            1. We must continue to meditate on Christ’s infinite value and pursue the heavenly prize of Christlikeness above all else (Phl 3:15)
            2. We must continue to live according to the same standard by which we have come—faith (Phl 3:16)
   2. Living by faith as opposed to pursuing earthly satisfaction [You must avoid the error of the earthly-minded] (Phl 3:17-21; Phl 4:1)
      1. The examples to imitate and observe (Phl 3:17)
         1. Be continually imitating Paul’s example (Phl 3:17a)
         2. Be continually observing those who walk according to the Apostolic pattern (Phl 3:17b)
      2. The enemies to contemplate and avoid (Phl 3:18-19)
         1. The reminder of the enemies (Phl 3:18)
            1. They are many (Phl 3:18a)
            2. They are mentioned frequently by Paul (Phl 3:18b)
            3. They are enemies of the cross of Christ (Phl 3:18c)
         2. The reminder of their condemnation and character (Phl 3:19)
            1. Their end is destruction (Phl 3:19a)
            2. Their god is their appetite (Phl 3:19b)
            3. Their glory is their shame (Phl 3:19c)
            4. Their minds are set on earthly things (Phl 3:19d)
6. Pursuing unity and peace within the fellowship (Phl 4:2-9)
   1. The call to be of the same mind (Phl 4:2-3)
      1. The exhortation to Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind (Phl 4:2)
      2. The entreaty to Paul’s “yoke fellow” to help in these women (Phl 4:3a)
      3. The encouragement concerning these two women (Phl 4:3b)
   2. The command to rejoice in the Lord (Phl 4:4)
      1. The repeated command to keep on rejoicing (Phl 4:4a,d)
      2. The root of one’s rejoicing (Phl 4:4b)
      3. The range of times when one is to rejoice (Phl 4:4c)
   3. The command to reveal kindness/gentleness to all men (Phl 4:5a)
   4. The comfort that the Lord is near (Phl 4:5b)
   5. The command to stop worrying and start praying (Phl 4:6-7)
      1. Stop worrying (Phl 4:6a)
         1. The exhortation
         2. The exceptions—there are none
      2. Start praying (Phl 4:6b)
         1. What we are to pray about
         2. How we are to pray
            1. Prayer
            2. Supplication
            3. With thanksgiving
            4. Requests
         3. To Whom we are to pray
      3. Supernatural results promised (Phl 4:7)
         1. The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension (Phl 4:7a)
         2. The protection of your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phl 4:7b)
   6. The command to dwell on that which reflects the character of God (Phl 4:8)
      1. The concluding remark (Phl 4:8a)
      2. The character to contemplate (Phl 4:8b)
         1. Whatever is true
         2. Whatever is honorable
         3. Whatever is right
         4. Whatever is pure
         5. Whatever is lovely
         6. Whatever is of good repute
         7. If there is any excellence
         8. If there is anything worthy of praise
      3. The command to contemplate them (Phl 4:8c)
   7. The command to practice/obey the truth of God (Phl 4:9)
      1. Following Paul’s teaching and example (Phl 4:9a)
      2. Fellowshipping with the God of peace (Phl 4:9b)
7. Praising God for His provision through His people (Phl 4:10-20)
   1. Rejoicing in the perfect provision of God (Phl 4:10-13)
      1. The concern of God’s people enhances joy in the Lord (Phl 4:10)
         1. Paul rejoiced greatly in the Lord because of the Philippians’ gift (Phl 4:10a)
         2. Paul recognized the Philippians’ thoughtfulness of him (Phl 4:10bc)
            1. Because of the gift (Phl 4:10b)
            2. Before the gift (Phl 4:10c)
      2. The contentment of Christ’s sufficiency is the secret of joy in the Lord (Phl 4:11-13)
         1. The satisfaction of contentment is available in any and every circumstance (Phl 4:11-12)
            1. Contentment is a learned spiritual discipline (Phl 4:11)
            2. Contentment is available regardless of one’s temporal prosperity or poverty (Phl 4:12)
         2. The secret of contentment is resting in the sufficiency of Christ (Phl 4:13)
   2. Rejoicing in the partnership that believers have in the gospel and the worship of God (Phl 4:14-18)
      1. Rejoicing in the partnership of giving and receiving for the sake of the gospel (Phl 4:14-17)
         1. The present partnership and gift (Phl 4:14)
         2. The past partnership and previous gifts (Phl 4:15-16)
         3. The profit [future reward] of sacrificial giving (Phl 4:17)
      2. Rejoicing in the provision and worship of God through sacrificial giving (Phl 4:18)
   3. Reaffirming the promised provision and pre-eminent glory of God (Phl 4:19-20)
      1. The promise for those who sacrifice for Christ’s sake (Phl 4:19)
      2. The praise and prayer of every sacrificial worshipper (Phl 4:20)
8. Conclusion (Phl 4:21-23)
   1. Greetings—fellowship of the saints [a reminder of unity] (Phl 4:21-22)
      1. Greetings from Paul (Phl 4:21a)
      2. Greetings from the brethren with Paul (Phl 4:21b)
      3. Greetings from all the saints [in Rome] (Phl 4:22a)
      4. Greetings from those saints from Caesar’s household (Phl 4:22b)
   2. Grace—favor from the Lord Jesus Christ [a request for undeserved favor] (Phl 4:23)

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.