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Introduction
In Acts 16, Luke reports on Paul’s first experiences in Philippi. Per Ussher’s chronology, that was in the early 50’s AD, and this letter was written in the early 60’s. Although Paul’s death is not recorded in the New Testament, other history tells us that he was beheaded in Rome around 64-65. Acts 28 ends with Paul being in Roman confinement, but he had some freedom of expression and movement at that time. Later imprisonment(s) would be more difficult on him. It is likely Paul wrote this letter in a later, more difficult imprisonment. (More on Paul).
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Philippians 1
Phil 1:1-2 – Although Timothy is also in Rome, it is not likely that he is in prison. The reason for believing this will become apparent in the next chapter when Paul says more about Timothy and another co-worker named Epaphroditus (Phil 2:19-30). ***** The reference to “overseers and deacons” speaks of the two-tiered ministry pattern which was set in Acts 6. That is, there were those who served believers by speaking the word of God, and then those who served by meeting physical needs (such as feeding widows). Peter speaks of this same division between speaking and non-speaking roles for servants in the church.
1 Pet 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Pet 4:11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Phil 1:3-11 – Paul’s reference to “the day of Christ Jesus” (verse 6) and “the day of Christ” (verse 10) are references to the Second Coming. Since “the Jesus who was crucified” was “made both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36), anything the Old Testament said about “the day of the Lord” would apply to Jesus. This was, of course, the coming of the kingdom of God which had been prophesied for so long, and which both John the Baptist and Jesus proclaimed to be “at hand.” That said, Israel had plenty of time to repent because the destruction of Jerusalem didn’t come until 70 AD, and the second Coming came not too many years after that. (See Jesus Christ Has Already Come Again and the book to which it links for the particulars.) ***** The maturing process was in anticipation of making the Philippians ready to enter the kingdom when it came. Peter was preparing his readers in similar fashion.
2 Pet 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
2 Pet 1:6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
2 Pet 1:7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
2 Pet 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Pet 1:9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
2 Pet 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
2 Pet 1:11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
Phil 1:6 – Re: “the day of Christ Jesus” see #TGTC.
Phil 1:10 – Re: “the day of Christ” see #TGTC.
Phil 1:12-14 – As is His way, God uses evil for good. That is, God used Paul’s imprisonment to get His word out to everyone in the government there in Rome just as He had used Paul’s imprisonment in Philippi to get His word out to all the government there – saving the jailer and his household in the process (Acts 16).
Phil 1:15-20 – Paul expects God to continue using evil for good such that he doesn’t fret about circumstances. This is because he has learned that whatever the circumstances are – pleasant or unpleasant – God will use them to advance His cause of saving lost sheep.
Phil 1:21 – How often is so much said in so few words?
Phil 1:22-26 – The logical progression of these thoughts follows the same line as Jesus followed when He prayed in Gethsemane: “Father, I’d rather skip this crucifixion, but if You want me to follow through, I will.” Only Paul didn’t present the thoughts as a prayer; he just stated them. Once you understand and believe that you’re going to heaven when you die, the only logical reason to stay on earth is for the sake of others. That is, it makes sense to continue living here for sake of others – first and foremost, for your wife and children. Once you grasp this, it’s not that hard to build your life on a foundation of love. when you understand this.
Phil 1:27 – “But, hey, Philippians, make it worth my while, ok?” And so we say to our children. ***** Re: “the gospel of Christ” see #TGTC.
Phil 1:28 – The Pharisees were always asking Jesus for a sign. But they themselves were a sign to Him that they were going to be destroyed while He would be saved.
Is 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.
This promise worked for Jesus. Paul was saying, in effect, that it was working for the Philippians. And it will work for you as well. You have no valid reason to be alarmed when someone opposes you – except for their sake.
Phil 1:29-30 – As we inherit Messiah’s sufferings so we inherit His glories as well. (Suffering and Glory) Therefore, we should not be afraid to suffer His sufferings. Again, Peter speaks similarly to the thoughts we see in Phil 1:22-30.
1 Pet 4:15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
1 Pet 4:16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
1 Pet 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Pet 4:18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
1 Pet 4:19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
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Philippians 2
Phil 2:1-2 – Is this not the heart of a father toward his children? Doesn’t every father want his children to employ the grace of God in loving each other?
Phil 2:3-4 – Is this too much for a father to ask of his children? If you think it is, then you’re sure not going to ask of them what’s in Phil 2:5-8!
Phil 2:5-8 – You can and should ask this of your children – but you must be sure you are living it yourself; otherwise, you’re just a hypocrite.
Phil 2:9-11 – If you do ask your children to live according to the hopes of Phil 2:1-8, you can promise them the reward of a proper placement in heaven. Sacrificial living leads to a better resurrection.
Heb 11:35 …so that they might obtain a better resurrection;
That is, final report cards aren’t issued until we arrived at the final destination. Earthly fathers can reward obedience with earthly rewards, but real and lasting trophies are for those who win the long game.
Heb 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
Therefore, teach your children to play the long game.
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Phil 2:10 – This verse depicts creation as three-tiered: “in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” This is the way things were from the beginning until the Second Coming of Christ, which brought in the new heavens and new earth promised by Isaiah (Is 65:17; 66:22). Since the Second Coming (which occurred late in the 1st century), creation has been two-tiered.
Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
Compare this verse to Eph 1:10 (and the accompanying BSN note). It depicts the two-tiered arrangement to which the New Testament church was looking forward.
Phil 2:11-12 – Speaking of the long game, the way your children treat each other after you’ve died will matter more to you than the way they treat each other while you’re still here. Therefore, the way they act when you’re away at work is a sign of how they’ll act when you’re in heaven and they’re still here. You need to make sure they know that’s the way you look at things. “Kids, if you don’t love each other, how can you say you love me?” As the following two verses apply to the heavenly Father, they apply in similar fashion to earthly fathers.
1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
1 John 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
I know, I know, your children are already failing at the assignments of this chapter. But that’s why you’re their teacher – to bring their grades up!
Prov 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
It is our job as earthly fathers to foreshadow the heavenly Father who will be a far more importance presence to the children. We foreshadow the heavenly Father when we properly discipline. To discipline is to train.
Many people mistakenly equate discipline with punishment. Discipline (training) involves punishment, but is far more than mere punishment. It is fully equipping the child to mature day by day. When I went through basic training in the US Army, it was not constant punishment. Yes, I would have to drop down and do 20 push-ups if I broke a basic rule, and I could experience harsher punishments for more serious infractions. But these were a small part of the overall and all-consuming training experience.
Discipline is not just more than punishment, it’s more than teaching, too. Training (discipline) involves teaching, but it is a more immersive experience because it involves doing under supervision – not just the hearing of words. And the doing under supervision includes real-time feedback.
Therefore, the proverbial exhortation to “train up” a child is not an exhortation to “punish them up” or merely “teach them up.” It’s an exhortation to give them a full experience of preparation – like Army basic training – over an extended period of time.
Prov 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Take this true definition of discipline to heart in reading the reminder below of our role in foreshadowing the Master Trainer. Everywhere you see the word “discipline,” substitute “training” or “train.”
Heb 12:3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Heb 12:4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
Heb 12:5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,
NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;
Heb 12:6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”
Heb 12:7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
Heb 12:8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Heb 12:9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
Heb 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
Heb 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Phil 2:13-16 – “Kids, don’t tell me what the other kids get to do; I didn’t become your father so that you could act like everyone else’s children!”
Phil 2:16 – Re: “the day of Christ” see #TGTC. ***** Re: “the word of life” see THE LIFE.
Phil 2:17-18 – Paul perfectly expresses the proper attitude a father has toward his children. In less majestic words, he is saying, “Kids, it’s not about how you make me look in the world’s eyes; it’s about how I make you look in God’s eyes.”
Phil 2:19-24 – Timothy was a trainee of Paul’s, and look at the joy Timothy’s virtues were bringing to Paul! This is the joy your trained children can bring to you.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
Phil 2:21 – Re: the “interests…of Christ” see #TGTC.
Phil 2:25-30 – Epaphroditus appears to be the one Paul has asked to deliver this letter to the Philippians. We cannot tell if he was a trainee of Paul’s, but he seems a wonderful man just the same. It’s a good reminder that we don’t have to train all the children of the world – just the ones we brought into it. Maybe there’ll be enough Epaphrodituses out there that our kids can have a few decent friends.
The lesson of this chapter is selflessness – which is love. It is exemplified best in Jesus Christ. Our job as fathers is to follow His example and, in the process, become additional examples for our children. Again, we are to be to our children what Paul was to those he trained. Thus we can speak to our children as he spoke to believers he was training.
1 Cor 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
Every child is born into the world a narcissist. We get two decades to make them selfless. Pace yourself.
Phil 2:30 – Re: “the work of Christ” see #TGTC.
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Philippians 3
Phil 3:1 – Paul’s references to Timothy and Epaphroditus in the previous chapter signaled that this letter was coming to a close, and his use of the word “Finally” in this sentence confirms it. However, it turns out Paul was only halfway through! Just because Paul had the Holy Spirit and was therefore writing the word of God doesn’t mean that he lost his personality or self-control. He was as human as we are; he simply had more to say than he realized in the moment. ***** “Yes, Paul, please repeat as much as you want!” Indeed, without repetition, would children learn anything at all from their parents? And would we learn anything at all from the Bible without it repeating itself over and over through a variety personalities and writing forms?
Phil 3:2-6 – A distinguishing characteristic of the modern world is that it is increasingly putting confidence in the flesh. Note the destruction it brings on itself by doing so and teach your children to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh.
Phil 3:7-11 – In this passage it seems Paul has taken Jeremiah’s exhortation (Jer 9:23-24) to heart and is filling it out.
Jer 9:23 Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;
Jer 9:24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
Indeed, we have nothing to boast about in this world…except the Lord who is redeeming us from it!
Phil 3:12-14 – Paul is doing just what he exhorted the Thessalonians to do: excel still more!
1 Thess 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.
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1 Thess 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 Thess 4:10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,
1 Thess 4:11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,
1 Thess 4:12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
Let us constantly remind ourselves to XL.
Phil 3:15 – This letter is an attitude builder.
Phil 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
Phil 3:16 – However righteously I have lived with Christ in the past has got to be my baseline minimum for going forward. We cannot afford to be deteriorating!
Phil 3:17 – Because Paul practices what he preaches, he can say things like this – just as He said to the Corinthians.
1 Cor 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
Let’s you and I be like Jesus and Paul. That will mean that whether our children do what we say or do what we do, they’ll turn out just as well. We’re all following in the steps of Ezra, who sought to teach only what he’d studied and practiced.
Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Phil 3:18-19 – Alas, far from providing good examples, the world is mass-producing bad examples. Alas, this is just the way Jesus said things would be.
Matt 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
Matt 7:14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matt 7:15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Phil 3:20-21 – When people have more than one home, they are usually pretty clear about which one is their primary home and which one is a second home. Your primary home is the one where you store most of the stuff and you most often use. Our growth as disciples is a function of the degree to which we come to think of heaven as our primary home and earth as secondary. Where are we currently storing our most important stuff?
Matt 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matt 6:20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
Matt 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The sooner we recognize that heaven is our primary home, the better prepared we are to live life down here. That’s why we seek to help our children come to this understanding at an earlier age than we did.
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Philippians 4
Phil 4:1-3 – None of these three names are mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. They are among the innumerable individuals who labored in the gospel and with whom Paul developed deep and affectionate relationships. They were the kind of people he had been threatening, harassing, and imprisoning before his conversion to Christ. Paul is “Exhibit A” for what Jesus can do with a life given to Him.
Phil 4:4 – Remember that Paul is writing this from prison! If he could rejoice so energetically in his circumstances, why can’t we in ours?
Phil 4:5 – If the Lord is near, we can afford to be gentle with others. He’ll provide the muscle.
Rom 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
Phil 4:6 – Notice especially the words “nothing” and “everything.” Paul seems to have a zero-tolerance policy toward anxiety. And he was not unique among the apostles in this regard. (See BSN: ON FEAR)
Phil 4:7 – This is certainly sufficient reward for being intolerant of anxiety. We shouldn’t need any more motivation than this.
Phil 4:8 – In computer work, they taught us: “GIGO: Garbage In, Garbage Out.” As with computers, so with the human mind. To improve the outputs, be more selective about the inputs.
Phil 4:9 – This is the way you talk to your children, right?
Phil 4:10 – This reminds me of how we need to daily revive our concern for the Lord by means of a quality devotional time…because we live in a society thoroughly lacking in concern for Him.
Phil 4:11-12 – That Paul “learned” how to do this indicates that such contentment with circumstances did not come naturally to him. Just because the ways of the Lord don’t come natural to us doesn’t mean we can’t learn them. Doing chores doesn’t come naturally to your children, but you expect them to learn. It’s what being a “disciple” means: learning. And just think of the payoff! (emphasis added)
Luke 6:40 “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.“
Phil 4:13 – This verse is a popular one with many people. That’s good, but too often it’s quoted about some interest of our own we’re pursuing rather than His.
Phil 4:14-19 – Paul was a big believer in the power of mutual generosity to lift up everyone involved. Everyone benefits even though the individual timings can vary.
2 Cor 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
2 Cor 8:10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
2 Cor 8:11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
2 Cor 8:12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
2 Cor 8:13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality–
2 Cor 8:14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;
2 Cor 8:15 as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”
Phil 4:20-23 – Paul signs off in typical fashion. ***** Paul’s reference to “Caesar’s household” sending their greetings to the Philippians indicates that he has been having as much success converting his jailers in Rome as he did when he was jailed in Philippi during his first visit to that city.
Acts 16:27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
Acts 16:28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”
Acts 16:29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,
Acts 16:30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Acts 16:31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
The Philippian jailer asked about himself, but Paul wanted him to be as mindful of his family as he was of himself. May it be so with you and me as well.
The Duty of a Man 