by Luke Cirillo

Notes:

Chapter 3

2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh – Those mutilators of the flesh are those who believed that you had to be circumcised and become a Jew in order to be saved. “Dogs” (kuōn) which is the exact term that the Jews used to speak of gentiles, is used here to speak of the Judaizers. Paul is comparing it with the pagan practices of mutilating the flesh which was forbidden in the law (Leviticus 21:5).

5 circumcised on the eighth day – Paul was circumcised on the eighth day after birth shows that Paul was a pure Jew (Leviticus 12:3), not a proselyte.

of the people of Israel – Paul’s parents were both true Jews, and Paul could trace his heritage back to Abraham (see Romans 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:22).

of the tribe of Benjamin – Benjamin, was the only one of Joseph’s brothers actually born in the Promised Land. The tribe remained loyal to David’s line when the monarchy split. Israel’s first king, Saul, after whom Paul was named, was from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 10:20-24). Mordecai, Esther’s uncle and the man who helped save the nation, was a Benjamite. The tribes of Benjamin and Judah were the only two tribes to return to Israel after the Exile (Ezra 4:1).

a Hebrew of Hebrews – He spoke the old languages of his race—Hebrew and Aramaic.

in regard to the law, a Pharisee – “Pharisee” means “separated one.” Pharisees scrupulously followed the Old Testament laws as well as their own numerous rules and traditions (see Acts 5:34; 22:3; 23:6; 26:5).

6    as for zeal, persecuting the church – Paul travelled hundreds of miles in order to find Christians, bring them back in chains to Jerusalem, and cast a vote for their deaths (Acts 9:1-2; 22:3-5; 26:9-11). He held the coats of those who stoned an early Christian leader (Acts 7:59–8:1).

as for legalistic righteousness, faultless – As a Pharisee, Paul had to follow the Old Testament law in addition to hundreds of rules and traditions that the Pharisees placed upon themselves.

8    I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ – Rubbish (skubalon) is literally “thrown to the dogs.” See verse 2 above.

17   Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you – Cf. 1Cor 11:1.

20   But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ – “Just as the Roman colonists never forgot that they belong to Rome, you must never forget that you are citizens of heaven; and your conduct must match your citizenship.” (Barclay)

Chapter 4

2      I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord – Not much is known about them other than they were church members, not troublemakers from outside the congregation. Their argument was not over a doctrinal issue. If it had been, Paul would have corrected it. They were prominent women, well respected by the Philippian congregation.

3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life – The book of life is the register where God keeps the names of all the redeemed (Ex. 32:32; Ps. 69:28; Dan. 12:1; Mal. 3:16–17; Luke 10:20; Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27) From eternity past (Matt. 25:34; Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9).

7      And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus – Peace from God: Paul uses this as an introduction to his letters; it reminds us that our peace comes to us as a gift from God (Eph 2:14; 1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2). Peace with God: This describes a relationship that we enter into with God through the finished work of Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1).  Peace of God: This is the peace spoken of in Philippians 4:7. It is beyond “all mind”; that is, beyond our power of thinking. The word “guard” (phrourēsei) is a military term that means to surround and protect a garrison or city.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things – Whatever is true(alethe) – (Remember the belt of truth!). Real truth is a characteristic of God (Romans 3:4). And here it means reading, analyzing, and meditating or thinking about and on the truth of the Word of God. Whatever is noble (semnos) – This comes from a word meaning “to revere,” or “to worship.” This word is used to describes the lifestyle required of deacons (1 Tim. 3:8), deaconesses (1 Tim. 3:11), and older men (Titus 2:2). Whatever is right (dikaios) – is an adjective, and should be translated “righteous.” It is those thoughts that meet God’s standards of rightness. Whatever is pure (hagnos) – means free from contamination or blemish; these thoughts are unmixed and unmodified; they are wholesome. In 1 Timothy 5:22 it is translated “free from sin.” Whatever is lovely (prosphiles) – Used only here in the New Testament. It could be translated “sweet,” “gracious,” “generous,” or “patient.” Paul was referring to thoughts of great moral and spiritual beauty, not of evil. Whatever is admirable (euphemos) – It refers to things that speak well of the thinker—If anything is excellent (aretē) or praiseworthy (epainos) – Paul summed up what could have been a lengthy list of the qualities that should describe a believer’s thought life.

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength – Cf. John 15:5

(Matthew 5:3-5; Philippians 2:12-13)

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1. The Right: ______________________________!

Philippians 2: ¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. NIV

(Proverbs 8:13; Isaiah 2:17-18; Isaiah 13:11; James 4: 6-8; 1Peter 5:5-6)

2. The Right: ______________________________________!

Philippians 2: ⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!  NIV

Incarnation: _____________________________

_________________________________ UNION

(1Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 14:12-15)

3. The Right: ______________________________________!

Philippians 2: ⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.NIV

(John 1:1-3,14; Hebrews 10:30-31; 2Chronicles 7:14; Colossians 3:12-14)

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Chapter 2

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion – The word “if” means “since”. “Encouragement” is paraklesis. Jesus used a form of the same word when he spoke of the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete) as the Counselor or Comforter or Encourager (John 14:16).

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose – “like-minded” – the same mind (the mind of Christ).

4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others – Cf. Rom 12:3,10.
The Kenosis Passage – Vs 5-8

5    Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus – “attitude” phroneō is translated in verse two as “like-minded”. “to exercise the mind.”

6    Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped – “being” huparchein, “describes that which a man is in his very essence and which cannot be changed.” (Barclay)  “Nature” is the Greek word morphē - outward manifestation of an inner reality. The word “grasped” harpagmos – to plunder or rob.

7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness – made himself nothing – ekenosen – “empty.” = He emptied Himself. Jesus was not 50% God and 50% man. He was 100% deity and 100% humanity.

“In sum: In Christ Jesus God as this shown his true nature; this is what it means for Christ to be equal with God-to pour Himself out for the sake of others and to do so by taking the role of a slave. Hereby He not only reveals the character of God, but from the perspective of the present context also reveals what it means for us to be created in God’s image, to bear His likeness and have His “mindset.” It means taking the role of the slave for the sake of others..” Gordon D. Fee

8    And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! – Crucifixion was such a shameful death that it was not permitted for Roman citizens (such as the people of Philippi). The Jews considered anyone crucified to be cursed by God (Deuteronomy 21:23 and Galatians 3:13). In Roman society, the word cross was considered an obscenity. When someone was sentence to crucifixion, they used an archaic formula so as not to pronounce the Latin word crux (F.F. Bruce.)

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father – Cf. Isaiah 45:23-24

12   Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling – Fear is the Greek word phobos, ( English – phobia) which means fear as well as reverence (cf. Matt. 14:26; Luke 21:26; 1 Cor. 2:3) (cf. Acts 2:43; 9:31; 2 Cor. 5:11; 7:1). Trembling is from tromos, which refers to shaking and is the word from which the English word tremor comes from. Cf. Isaiah 66:2.

13   for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose – “works” energeō – energy.

17   But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you – The drink offering was an important part of the Jewish sacrificial system. (cf. Lev. 23:18, 37; 2 Kings 16:10–16; Jer. 7:18; Hos. 9:4).

25   But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs – Epaphroditus means “belonging to,” or “favored by Aphrodite.”

30   because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me – Risking parabouleuomai his life means literally “to throw aside” And was a gambling term.

“Soon after New Testament times, a group of Christians banded together in an association they called Parabolani, which means “The Gamblers.” Taking Epaphroditus as their model, they visited prisoners and ministered to the sick, especially those with dangerous communicable diseases whom no one else would help. They boldly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever they went…. When the city of Carthage, on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, suffered a severe plague in A.D. 252, the pagan inhabitants were so frightened of contagion that they refused to touch the dead bodies even to bury them. Cyprian, bishop of the church there, led the Christians in the arduous and dangerous task of ministering to the sick and dying and of burying the thousands of corpses. The spiritual influence of that silent but powerful testimony on their unbelieving and formerly hostile neighbors doubtless was immeasurable” (William Barclay, The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians [rev. ed., Louisville, Ky.: Westminster, 1975], 50).

(2Corinthians 11:24-28)

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1. J: _________________________________________!

Philippians 1: ¹Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus… NIV

Joy Robber: _________________

Joy Robber:_________________

Joy Robber: _________________

Joy Robber: _________________

(Galatians 5:22-23; Psalm 16:9-11; John 15:9-11; John 10:10;  Mark 4:18-19; Philippians 4:4-7; Matthew 6:31-34; Psalm 56:4; Psalm 118:6; Luke 12:4)

2. O: ______________________________________________________!

Philippians 1: ³I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…NIV

Love one another – John 13:34
Serve one another – Gal.5:13
Accept one another – Rom 15:7
Forgive one another – Col 3:13
Greet one another – Rom 16:16
Bear one another’s burdens – Gal 6:2
Be devoted to one another – Rom 12:10
Live in harmony with one another – Rom 12:16
Honor one another – Rom 12:10
Teach one another – Rom 15:14
Be Kind and compassionate to one another – Eph 4
Submit to one another – Eph 5:21
Encourage one another – 1Thess 5:11
Confess To one another – James 5:16
Spur one another on – Heb 10:24
Meet with one another  – Heb 10:25

(Philippians 4:15-16)

3. Y: _______________________________________________________!

Philippians 1: ⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. NIV

(John 6:37; 1John 5:11-15)

The church in Philippi was founded by Paul some eleven years before this letter, on his second missionary journey, and was the first church founded in Europe (Cf. Acts 16:11-40).

Theme = Joy

Purpose:

• To thank them for their generous gift (4:10–19),
• Explain why he was sending Epaphroditus back to them (2:25–30),
• Inform them of his circumstances (1:12–26), and
• Warn them about the danger of false teachers (3:2, 18–19).

Key verse: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (4:4 NIV).

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Chapter 1

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: – When Paul wrote this letter, Timothy was with him in Rome. Luke was also with Paul in Rome fro a time (2 Timothy 4:11) as well as Mark (Colossians 4:10). servants of Christ Jesus = duoloi = bond servants. Saints is hagioi, meaning “those set apart.” “Overseer” episkopos is another term for elder, which is the most common New Testament name for the office (cf. Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 23; James 5:14). Elders are also referred to as pastors (or shepherds; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–2), pastor-teachers (Eph. 4:11), and bishops (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:2). The qualifications and duties of the overseers are explained in detail in 1Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. “Deacon” is diakonos was used of waiters on tables (practical servers).

5    because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now – “Partnership” – or koinōnia “fellowshipped.” The Philippians were extremely giving towards Paul, both when he was with them (Acts 16:15, 16:32-34) and when he was apart from them (2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:1-4, and 11:9).

6    being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus – “Being confident” peithō could be translated, “Since I am confident of this very thing”. The “day of Christ Jesus” occurs only six times in the New Testament; three of those times are in Philippians (see 1 Corinthians 1:8; 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6, 10; 2:16).

7    It is right for me to feel this way about all of you – The Greek word translated to feel (phronein) is used by Paul twenty-three times in this letter; a deep special concern.

8    God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus – “affection” is literally “inward parts” or “viscera,” such as the inward parts of an animal sacrifice (heart, liver, kidneys).

9    And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight – Love – agape. Depth of insight aisthēsis (aesthetic)means discernment. Cf. 1Cor 8:1-2.

13   As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ – This is the Praetorian guard – elite troops housed in the emperor’s palace.

18   But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. – Paul is not saying that it is okay if a false or different gospel is preached as was the case at Galatia which Paul confronted but if the true gospel is preached even with wrong motives he could rejoice.

“That which does not teach Christ is not apostolic, even if Peter or Paul taught it. Again, that which does preach Christ is apostolic, even if Judas, Annas, Pilate or Herod did it.” (Martin Luther in his German New Testament of 1522 preface to the letter to James).

21   For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain – Lit. “For to me to live Christ, to die gain”

27   Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. – “conduct” politeuomai – live as a citizen. Cf. Phil 3:20.

29   For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him – “Has been granted” is from charizō, which is from the same root as the noun charis (grace) and literally means “to give, render, or grant graciously.”

Acts 5:41“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. NIV