Exposition of Philippians

Pauls Thanksgiving and Prayer for

the Philippians
Phil 1:3-11
 The Prison Epistles
Philippians also written
from here and delivered to
Philippi by Epaphroditus
(Phil 2:25-30).

Ephesians,
Colossians,
& Philemon
written from here
and delivered by Tychicus
and Onesimus (Eph 6:21;
Col 4:7-9).
 Outline of Philippians
Salutation (1:1-2)
Pauls Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11)
Thanksgiving for the Philippians Participation
in the Gospel (1:3-8)
Petition for the Philippians Growth in Christ
(1:9-11)
 Thanksgiving for the Philippians
Participation in the Gospel (1:3-8)
Every time Paul thought of and prayed for the
Philippians, he was:
thankful to God
filled with joy (first occurrence in v. 4; not dependent upon
circumstance; a supernatural fruit of the Spirit).
Verse 5 tells us why: the Philippians fellowship in the
Gospel from the first day until now. Includes both their
common faith and the Philippians financial support.
Paul knows that God will finish what he has begun in the
lives of these believers. All 3 elements of salvation are
alluded to here:
Justification
Sanctification
Glorification
The day of Christ Jesus refers to His second coming and
all the events surrounding that.
 Thanksgiving for the Philippians
Participation in the Gospel (1:3-8)
Paul is not surprised that he feels so strongly
towards these folks; it is righteous that he feel
this way. Why?
because the Philippians have stood by him through
thick and thin, from the establishment of the church
there, through his defenses of the Gospel before both
Jews and Romans, and up through his current
imprisonment.
Paul uses the strongest of language to testify to
his inner affection for the Philippians: God is my
witness. This affection comes from Christ
Himself.
Petition for the Philippians Growth
in Christ (1:9-11)
Having expressed his thanksgiving and
affection for the Philippians, he now
describes his petitions to God on their
behalf, that they would:
abound even more in love the Philippians
had already demonstrated this avga,ph love,
but Paul wants them to grow even more in
this key Christian virtue.
grow in real knowledge and discernment -
their love was not to be an undiscriminating
tolerance of anything, but one that was based
on moral perception and discernment.
Petition for the Philippians Growth
in Christ (1:9-11)
V. 10 provides two reasons why Paul prays this
way:
that the Philippians might make the best decisions
possible proving by means of testing the things
which differ; able to distinguish what is truly worthy
(cf. Phil 4:8-9), among many alternatives, and make it
part of their lives.
that the Philippians might be the best people possible
morally pure before God and others, and blameless
(here meaning not causing others to stumble) until
the day of Christ, which serves as a motivation for
their character and conduct (2 Cor 5:10).
Petition for the Philippians Growth
in Christ (1:9-11)
V. 11 describes what God has already
done to enable the believers to live these
kinds of lives.
It is word picture of an orchard, having trees
laden with fruit, bearing a crop ready to be
harvested.
The fruit of righteousness refers to conduct
pleasing to God, good attitudes and works
that flow from a right relationship with Him.
These are not self-generated but supernaturally
produced in the lives of believers (cf. Gal 5:22-23)
through Christ, to the glory and praise of the
Father.
 Implications from our Study
Thanks be to God, for He is the one who
initiates, oversees, and completes our salvation
at the day of Christ Jesus.
God sheds His love abroad in our hearts when
we are saved, but we also grow in love that is
controlled by knowledge and discernment
through Gods Word and our experience of His
truth.
Christ bears spiritual fruit through us as we
abide in Him, to the glory and praise of the
Father.
 Next Time: Pauls Personal
Circumstances in Advancing the
Gospel
Phil 1:12-26