Table of Contents
Philippians
Philippi was the first church Paul planted in Europe — begun with Lydia and a few women at a riverside place of prayer, and a jailer who asked at midnight, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16). More than a decade later Paul writes back to them as a prisoner in Rome, chained to the soldiers of the imperial guard, not knowing whether he will live or die. Yet Philippians is the most joyful of all his letters. The words “joy” and “rejoice” run through all four chapters: to live is Christ and to die is gain; the mind of Christ, who emptied Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; all things counted loss for the excellency of knowing Him; and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.
This series reads Philippians chapter by chapter, immediately following this site’s own studies of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, and Ephesians — the sixth epistle on the site. Where Ephesians looked up to the heavenly places, Philippians shows what that same gospel looks like in a prison cell: a man who has learned, in whatsoever state he is, therewith to be content, because he can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth him.
List Of Articles
For To Me To Live Is Christ
written from a roman prison to his first church in europe — paul's chains carry the gospel into caesar's own guard, rival preachers only spread the name of christ further, and life or death has lost its terror, because for paul both roads lead to christ
Philippians 1Let This Mind Be In You
to settle a quarrel paul points to christ, who was equal with god yet emptied himself to a servant's form and the death of the cross, and was exalted to the name before which every knee shall bow — then work out your own salvation, shine as lights, and meet two men who shared that mind
Philippians 2I Press Toward The Mark
paul opens his own ledger — a flawless pedigree and a blameless record moved to the column marked loss, his own righteousness traded for the righteousness of god by faith, and a runner still pressing toward the prize, looking for a saviour from heaven who will change the body of our humiliation
Philippians 3Rejoice In The Lord Alway
two faithful women asked to agree, a church told to rejoice always, turn every care into prayer and fill the mind with whatever is true and lovely — and a prisoner who has learned to be content in every state, because christ is his strength and his god shall supply all your need
Philippians 4