Bible Commentaries
Philippians

Phil

The Philippian epistle is a divine commentary on the latter half of Ephesians, and, like it, is especially concerned with the deportment demanded by the transcendent doctrines developed in the first half of the Ephesian letter. This is the key to its contents. It does not deal with doctrines, but with deportment. This will illumine many a difficult passage in it and this has been allowed to color the wording of the version. As shown in the literary framework, the epistle is a perfect, though complex reversion. Its controlling theme is Participation in the Evangel, not only by its public proclamation, but especially by a conduct consistent with its teachings. Following the introduction and preceding the Conclusion the Philippians' fellowship with Paul by contributions and in sufferings is detailed, interspersed with Paul's own experiences in preaching the evangel. The main subject, the Living Expression of the Evangel, or, "Having on the Word of Life"

( Php_2:16 ), is illustrated by tour examples: Christ and Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus, Four exhortations are introduced in this division. The entreaty to imitate Christ opens it and Paul places himself before them as a model at its close. So, too, the service of Timothy is preceded by an exhortation, and the sufferings of Epaphroditus are followed by an appeal. These two themes, suffering and service, pervade the whole epistle, from the introduction, where Paul and Timothy style themselves slaves , rather than apostles, to the end where the grace of the Lord , or Master, rather than Christ, is invoked. The humility of Christ is presented, in harmony with the transcendent truth of this economy. It did not begin with His birth or result only in His exaltation over the earth. It commenced in glory before His in. carnation, which was but a step in His downward path of obedience to God's will. It led from the highest place in the universe to the lowest, under the curse of the cross. It will exalt Him to headship over all creation, which will bow to Him as its

Master, for God, the Father's glory. For Christ to become flesh meant humiliation. Paul's physical connections were his boast. They pledged to him all the privileges and advantages which belonged alone to the Jew. But all of these are flung away once he knows Christ after the spirit, and His heavenly exaltation.

FRAMEWORK OF PHILIPPIANS

Reversion

INTRODUCTION Php_1:1

Salutation Php_1:2

The Philippians-Contribution-Doxology Php_1:3

Paul-his bonds in Christ Php_1:12

Paul-his indifference to death Php_1:19

The Philippians-suffering with Paul Php_1:27

Exhortation to imitate Christ Php_2:1

CHRIST Php_2:5

1 In God's form

2 Slave's form

3 Human shape

4 Death

5 the Cross

Exhortation to Obedience Php_2:12

TIMOTHY-his character and service Php_2:19

EPAPHRODITUS-his character and his sufferings Php_2:25

Exhortation to Beware Php_3:1

PAUL Php_3:4

7 Law justness-blameless

6 Zeal-persecuting saints

5 Law-Pharisee

4 Hebrew of Heb_3:1-19 Tribe of Benjamin

2 Race of Israel

1 Circumcision

Exhortation to imitate Paul Php_3:17

The Phiippians-their care of Paul Php_4:10

Paul-his complacency in want Php_4:11

Paul-his strength in Christ Php_4:13

The Philippians-Contribution-Doxology Php_4:14

CONCLUSION Php_4:21

Salutation Philippians_4:23