Philippians 1:1-11

Salutation (1:1-2)

"Paul and Timothy"
Paul is identified as the author of this epistle. Timothy is likely with him and ready to deliver the letter to the Philippians (see 2:19), but he is not a co-author of the letter.

While this book is not Paul’s earliest letter, neither is it his last. Yet there is still evidence of church leadership developing. Regardless of whether these were offices of the church (which I doubt), there were certainly ministry functions being performed by various members of the church in leadership roles.

Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11)

Verses 3-6 are actually the first sentence in the Greek. Paul is thankful to the Lord for the Philippian believers. He is thankful for them frequently (in every remembrance, in all my prayers, always).

• The attitude of Paul’s prayer is joy (4).

• The reason for Paul’s joy is because of the Philippians active participation and partnership in advancing the work of the Gospel (5).

Even though the Philippians were not necessarily a wealthy church, they had given generously to the offering for the Jerusalem church. Their koinonia (“partnership” or “fellowship”) was an active participation in the Gospel based upon their common bond in Jesus Christ that saw them contribute of their time, energy, and finances to support and promote the Gospel.

• The reason for Paul’s joy is because of His confidence in the Lord to continue the good work He has begun in the Philippian believers until He comes again.

2. Prayer with Affection (7-8)

• It is right for Paul to pray for the Philippians with thanksgiving and joy because He has a deep affection for them (7a) - as opposed to those who may see his imprisonment as a reason to “bail out”

• Paul’s deep affection is expressed by his deep longing to see them again (8).

3. Prayer for Abundant Love (9-11)

• The content of Paul’s prayer is for the Philippians to abound in love (9a).

• This love is characterized by

  • a personal knowledge and relationship with Christ

  • practical insight into conduct in various situations (9b).

  • epignosis = seems to be equivalent to gnosis (knowledge); Paul developed a preference for the compound term in his later epistles.

In this case, love is not just an emotionally, mushy feeling, but the love of Christ overflowing in them consists of moral and spiritual insight.

• The reasons for this love is so that the Philippians will:

  • discern what is best

  • be pure and blameless until the day of Christ/second coming

  • filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ’s presence in the believer’s life (10-11a)

• The purpose of these reasons is so that God may be glorified and praised.

Applications

• Do you thank God for your friends, fellow believers, co-workers?

Bibliography
F. F. Bruce. Philippians, New International Bible Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1989.
Moises Silva. Philippians, Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary. Chicago: Moody, 1988.

These pages were last updated on October 4, 2005.
© Copyright 1999-2005 Prairie Bible Institute & Steven C. Ibbotson