REJOICE IN THE LORD
This is an inductive study of the Philippian epistle.
INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION
Philippi is a city in Eastern Macedonia. This is a part of Europe as we know it today. It is located on a plain surrounded by mountains. It is located 10 miles inland from the Aegean Sea and about 70 miles north and east of Thessalonica.
The Egnatian Way, the main overland route between Asia and the West, went right through the city.
Philippi was a thoroughly Roman city and was named for Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. In 356 B. C. Philip took the city of Krenides, enlarged it and built a wall around it. He brought in people from the nearby countryside to settle there.
Philip mounted a grand building program for the city. He built a forum the size of a football field. There was a huge open-air theater. He also built a great library and a number of Roman baths. Along with the grandeur of Roman culture and opulence came all the hideous forms of vice that characterized Roman life. This included the worship of hundreds of pagan deities and moral perversion in a hundred forms.
In 42 B. C. Mark Anthony and Octavian (better known as Augustus Caesar) defeated Brutus and Cassius in Philippi. You may remember that this feud started when Cassius assassinated Julius Caesar. Philippi was made a Roman colony in celebration of the victory, by Mark Anthony and Octavian. This entitled the residents to all the rights and privileges of those living in Italy. This was a great gift to them.
In 31 B. C., Octavian defeated the naval forces of Anthony and Cleopatra off the coast of Greece. In reprisal, the supporters of Anthony were punished by being removed from Italy and resettled in Philippi. This was a great tragedy for them, but it was really an outstanding expression of mercy on the part of the Roman ruler. On other occasions, they might have been put to death without a trial. As one might expect, this created a safer environment for the rulers in Rome, but also created a fractured political climate in Philippi. This was because other people of Philippi had great loyalty to the Roman ruler.
Paul visited Philippi around 49 A. D. on his second missionary journey. The account of this can be found in Acts 16:12-20:16. He also visited them on his third missionary journey. Acts 16:13 indicates that the Jews worshipped at the sea shore. There are two possible reasons for this fact:
1. It was not uncommon for Jews to worship at the shore of a river or sea if there were not enough Jewish men in the community to have a synagogue. One must keep in mind that for the Jews, worship and religious training were essentially a male responsibility. The rule was that they needed enough Jewish men for minion. The rule for minion, apparently dated from the time of Boaz in the book of Ruth. It required the presence of ten Jewish men in order to commence a study of Scripture.
2. Another possibility seems even more plausible. There is an arch still standing about one mile outside the edge of the city. This was a zoning marker. No foreign or undesirable religious sect could meet closer to the city than this point. This would, of course, include both Jews and Christians. In spite of this rule, Philippi was the first Christian church on European soil.
This is where Paul met Lydia. She was a seller of purple. Archeologists have found inscriptions in excavations there that mention this trade. Purple dye was made from shells found on the bottom of a bay in the nearby Aegean Sea as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Divers collected these shells from the bottom of this bay. They tell us that they had to crush 250,000 mollusks to make an ounce of dye. It is easy to see why this dye was so costly. It might be surprising to note that the name "Canaan" means "land of purple." It is not that this dye was made in Canaan, but that there was a lot of it in use there by the conquerors of the land.
Paul's letter to the Philippians
Paul's letter to the Philippian church was written from prison, perhaps Rome, along with the letters to Ephesus, Colossea and the brief letter to Philemon.
It is appropriate to say that Paul founded the Philippian church. In his writing, it is clear that Paul had a special affection for this congregation. In this city, Paul was imprisoned without a trial. (Acts 16:19-40) This is evidence that the famous Roman legal system was loosely followed in the city. Justice was rather nebulous to say the least.
The focus of this epistle held that in an unfriendly cultural setting, the Christ-centered life is viable in the midst of abuse, persecutions and political attack. Paul stressed the need to be like-minded with Christ; to see life from His perspective; to act toward others with Christ's intentions. This epistle contains the best description of the mind of Christ to be found in the New Testament. Interestingly, Paul contrasts the mind of Christ (2:1-11) with the mind of Adam (Genesis 3:5). Paul particularly exhorted them to be identified with Christ in humility and obedience. This is the noblest achievement to which one might aspire.
The Recipients
Throughout this epistle, Paul made a number of references to the people in the Philippian church. A careful study of these pieces of information will give us some important insights into the lives of these people and the basis upon which Paul wrote to them. Here is a list of that information:
1:1 – They were saints.
1:1 – They had overseers and deacons.
1:5 – They were part of a continual participation in the Gospel.
1:6 – They were maturing Christians.
1:7 – They stood by Paul in his imprisonment, defense and confirmation of the Gospel. This suggests that others did not stand by him at that time. It speaks about the quality of their Christian character.
1:8 – Paul had great affection for them.
1:9 – They had agape love.
1:9 – They needed to grow in real knowledge and discernment.
1:10 – They needed to approve excellent things in order to be/become sincere and blameless.
1:11 – They needed to be filled with the fruit of righteousness.
1:24 – They needed the help of Paul in spiritual growth.
1:26 – These people had a proud confidence in Paul.
1:27 – They needed to conduct themselves in an ongoing manner worthy of the Gospel.
1:27 – They needed to stand firm in one spirit.
1:27 – They needed to stand firm in one mind.
1:27 – They needed to stand firm striving together for the faith.
1:28 – There was danger of their being alarmed by their opponents.
1:29 – They were gifted by God to believe and to suffer for Christ's sake.
2:2 – They needed to be of the same mind.
2:2 – They needed to maintain the same love.
2:2 – They needed to be united in spirit.
2:2 – They needed to be intent on one purpose.
2:3 – There was danger of their working from a basis of selfishness.
2:3 – There was danger of their working from a basis of self-conceit.
2:3 – They needed to work from humility of mind in relationship to each other.
2:4 – They needed to look out for each other rather than just for themselves.
2:5 – They needed to have the mind of Christ.
2:12 – They needed to work out their salvation in fear and trembling.
2:14 – There was danger of grumbling in their work.
2:15 – They needed to prove themselves blameless, innocent, children of God.
2:15 – They needed to prove themselves above reproach in a crooked world.
2::16 – They needed to hold fast the word of life.
2:18 - They needed to rejoice in suffering. See also 3:1
2:29 – They needed to hold their leaders in high regard.
3:1 – They needed to beware of the "dogs."
3:1 – They needed to beware of evil workers.
3:1 – They needed to beware of the false circumcision.
3:15 – Many of these believers were mature.
3:15 – They needed to observe the priorities that Paul followed.
3:16 – There was danger they will compromise their stand.
3:17-21 – They needed to watch out for false believers.
4:1 – They needed to stand firm in the Lord.
4:2 – Euodia and Syntyche were leaders who are out of harmony with each other.
4:3 – Euodia and Syntyche needed the help of other believers.
4:4 – They needed to rejoice in the Lord.
4:5 – They needed to let their forbearing spirit be known to all.
4:6 – There was danger they will experience anxiety.
4:6 – They needed to turn anxiety over to God in prayer.
4:7 – They needed the peace of God to guard their hearts and minds in this struggle.
4:8 – They needed to focus their minds on the best.
4:9 – They needed to practice what Paul had taught them.
4:14 – They shared with Paul in his affliction.
4:15 – They supported Paul both spiritually and financially when other congregations did not.
If you study this list of 54 statements carefully, you will gain some important information about these Philippian believers. Here is a list of some of the information you will observe:
1. They were undergoing opposition and persecution.
2. They really struggled with the issue of unity.
3. There were disagreements among believers.
4. There was danger of their giving up in persecution and opposition.
5. They needed to rejoice even though they are suffering. This is, for them, a new view of rejoicing and joy.
6. They were being opposed by Jews who wanted to reinstate orthodox understandings. These outsiders wanted them to depend upon Christ and circumcision. They wanted them to rely on circumcision and the sacrificial system of the Jews for salvation.
7. These people needed to follow Paul's example.
8. Unlike popular current understandings, this is not a congregation swept up in the joy of the Lord, but a group of Christians who were suffering severely, from outside and inside the church, and it was not clear how it would work out. Paul had to work hard to pull these people together.
Exhortations In The Philippian Epistle
The letters Paul wrote to the churches were intended to bring solution to a problem he had heard of or had observed in the congregation. Philippians is no exception. There are 56 specific exhortations that Paul gave to these Christians in Philippi. They fall roughly into four categories. You will observe that there is some overlapping in these exhortations:
Spiritual Qualities
1:9 – Let love abound.
1:9 – Approve excellent things.
1:9 – Be sincere and blameless.
1:27 – In one mind, strive together for the faith.
2:2 – Have the same mind.
2:2 – Have the same love.
2:2 – Be united in spirit.
2:2 – Be intent on one purpose.
2:3 – Be humble of mind.
2:4 – Be as concerned for others as you are for yourself.
2:7 – Have the attitude of Christ
a. 2:7 – In terms of self sacrifice
b. 2:8 – In terms of humbling themselves
c. 2:8 – In terms of obedience to the point of death
2:15 – Prove yourselves to be innocent.
2:15 – Prove yourselves to be blameless.
2:15 – Prove yourself to be a child of God above reproach.
3:15 – Let those who are mature have the attitude of Paul.
Spiritual Actions
1:27 – Conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
1:27 – Stand firm in one spirit.
1:27 – Stand firm with one mind.
1:28 – Do not be alarmed by your opponents.
2:3 – Do nothing from selfishness.
2:12 - Work out your own salvation.
2:13 – Do all things without grumbling.
2:14 – Do all things without disputations.
2:16 – Hold fast the word of life.
2:18 – Rejoice in the same way Paul did.
3:1 – Rejoice in the Lord.
3:2 – Beware of the dogs.
3:2 – Beware of evil workers.
3:2 – Beware of the false circumcision.
3:16 – Keep living by the standard they had attained.
3:18 – Beware of false believers.
4:1 – Stand firm in the Lord.
4:2 – Euodia and Syntyche should stop feuding.
4:3 – The church should help these two women.
4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always.
4:5 – Let your forbearing spirit be known to all
4:6 – Be anxious about nothing.
4:6 – In everything, let your requests be known to God.
4:8 – Let your mind dwell on whatever is true.
4:8 – Let your mind dwell on whatever is honorable.
4:8 – Let your mind dwell on whatever is righteous.
4:8 – Let your mind dwell on whatever is pure.
4:8 – Let your mind dwell on whatever is lovely.
4:8 – Let your mind dwell on whatever is of good repute.
4:8 – Let your mind dwell on whatever is excellent.
4:8 – Let your mind dwell on whatever is worthy of praise.
4:9 – Practice the things you have learned.
4:9 – Practice the things you have received.
4:9 - Practice the things you have heard.
4:9 – Practice the things you have seen in Paul.
Spiritual Attitudes
4:5 – Let your forbearing spirit be known.
4:6 – Be anxious for nothing.
Spiritual motives.
2:3 – Do nothing from selfishness.
2:3 – Do nothing from empty conceit.
The Structure Of The Book
In terms of Paul's writing, Philippians is a bit unique. In almost all of Paul's epistles, excluding Philippians, the format is the same. The first part of the book deals with the appropriate doctrinal presentation and then the last part contains a long list of exhortations intended to correct the problem for which the doctrinal presentation was made. The epistle to the Romans is a case in point. Chapters 1 – 11 deal with the doctrinal presentation. Chapters 12-16 is a practical application based upon chapters 1 – 11. In these chapters, there is a long list of exhortations intended to suggest solutions for the problems addressed in chapters 1 – 11.
The book of Ephesians is an excellent example. Look at the following table.
CHAPTERS |
1-3 |
4-6 |
EXHORTATIONS |
3 |
86 |
Philippians is much different. Look at the way the book is constructed.
CHAPTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
EXHORTATIONS |
8 |
20 |
7 |
21 |
TOTALS |
28 |
28 |
||
Observe that there are exactly the same number of exhortations in chapters one and two as there are in chapters three and four.
As early as 1:9 Paul issues his first exhortation. Clearly, Paul does not follow his usual pattern of describing the theological position involved and then offering a host of exhortations to deal with that problem. In this epistle, Paul intermingles the doctrinal and the practical. The "kenosis passage," 2:1-11, is an excellent illustration of this style.
This awareness seriously affects the way we look at this epistle. It suggests that much of what Paul does in this epistle is "cause and effect" in style. If this is true, and I believe that it is, it suggests a totally different emotional tone for this epistle. Paul is showing a level of intense emotion that he has not shown elsewhere. It tells us that Paul was much closer to this body of believers than he was to the other churches. This is not too difficult to understand since their mutual involvement is much higher than that of any of the other churches. It also can suggest that Paul feels a greater sense of urgency with this situation than he experienced with the others. It appears that this is true.
We will need to watch to see if this is borne out in the rest of the study.