New Testament Survey. Philippians (Partnership in the Gospel) FCBC February 17, 2013

Transcription

1 New Testament Survey Philippians (Partnership in the Gospel) FCBC February 17, 2013

2 References The Bible by God A Popular Survey of the New Testament by Norman L. Geisler Paul & His Letters by John B. Polhill 2

3 The Author Internal Evidence Paul claims to have written it Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: (1:1) 3

4 Character of the book fits his claim (3:4-6) The Author Internal Evidence Hebrew of the tribe of Benjamin Pharisee, zealous to keep the law Timothy, his companion fits what is known from Acts 16:1-3 4

5 Style is Pauline The Author Internal Evidence Starts with familiar Grace and Peace (1:2) Ends with The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (4:23) The standard key phrase in Christ is used (1:26) 5

6 Doctrine is Pauline The Author Internal Evidence Christ is our life (1:21, Galatians 2:20) Christ is head of all things (2:9-11, Colossians 2:9-10) Opposition to Judaizers (3:1-3, Galatians 5:1-6) 6

7 The Author External Evidence Paul s name is on the earliest manuscripts Earliest Church Fathers support Pauline authorship Clement of Rome Ignatius Polycarp The Muratorian canon Heretic Marconian Almost all critics 7

8 When Was It Written? Between AD 61 and 62 In prison In chains (1:13) Hope of release (1:19, 2:24) Witness to palace guards (1:13) 8

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11 Location Philippi of Macedonia In Europe Close to active port Close to silver, gold, and copper mines Chief city of the area (Acts 16:12) Ideal beach head for Gospel going into Europe First European church Resulted from Paul s vision of a man from Macedonia calling him (Acts 16:9) 11

12 God Guiding Paul Acts 16:6-10 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 12

13 Location Paul wanted to go further into Asia Redirected by Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6, 7) Forbidden Responded immediately in obedience (Acts 9-10) 13

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15 One Epistle or 3? Early 19 th century scholars began to think that 3:2-4:1 were inserted Later opinion claims 3 fragments 4:10-20 Thanks for the Philippian gift 1:1-3:1+4:1-7 Personal letter regarding Paul s case 3:2-4:1 Warning against Judaizers 15

16 One Epistle Same themes run throughout Emphasis on joy and rejoicing Suffering permeates throughout (1:29;2:17;3:10) Emphasis on humility (2:2,7;3:3,8) Struggle for progress in Christian life (2:12-14; 3:12-16) 16

17 Written To: Philippian Christians Local church With bishops (elders) and deacons (1:1) Mostly Gentile No synagogue there Women met regularly to pray on the Sabbath by the river (Acts 16:11-13) 17

18 Written To: Immediate response to the Gospel resulted in baptisms (Acts 16:14-15) First believers were women Church soon had elders and deacons (Philippians 1:1) 18

19 Written To: Wealthy and generous church Lydia was prominent business woman (Acts 16:14) Church gave generously to others (Philippians 4:10-18) 19

20 Written To: Original church consisted of 3 types of Gentile people that we know about Lydia s household prominent business people (Acts 16:14-15) Demonized damsel slaves (Acts 16:16-18) Jailer and his household middle class families (Acts 16:27-33) Pattern for churches in Europe 20

21 Written Why? Encourage to rejoice in the Lord always, in every circumstance. (1:26; 3:1; 4:4, 10-13) Relate his circumstances to them so as to ease their anxiety about him (1:19; 4:10) Thank them for their many gifts and the most recent by way of Epaphroditus (2:25, 28; 4:15) 21

22 Written Why? To warn them about the Judaizers (3:1-3;18-19) To rebuke the perfectionists (3:13-14) To rebuff the sensualist and materialist (3:18-19) To exhort them to harmony in Christ (4:2) 22

23 Contrast With Ephesians Ephesians In the heavenlies Head in the clouds Exaltation on the mountain Philippians Back to earth Feet on the ground Exultation (joy) in the valley 23

24 Epistle of Joy 1:4 Prayer with joy 1:18 Joy in Christ being preached 1:25 Joy of faith 2:2 Fulfill joy 3:1 Joy in the Lord 4:1 Joy in the brethren 4:10 Joy in the Lord s care 24

25 Key Words and Verses Abound (5x) Affection (2x) Think, adopt an attitude, have a mind (11x) Christ (38x) Fellowship (3x) Gospel (9x) Imprisonment (4x) Know, knowledge (18x) Rejoice, joy (14x) 25

26 Old Testament Citations Gentile audience so no direct quotations Teaching dependent on Old Testament background (3:1-11) Allusion to Old Testament every knee will bow (Isaiah 45:23) 26

27 Christ Centered Nature Each chapter centers on the Person of Christ who is our : Life (1:21) Example (2:5) Goal (3:14) Strength (4:13) 27

28 Church Organization Organized with Bishops and Deacons (1:1) Bishops are Greek equivalent of elders Ordained in every church (Acts 14:23) Deacons taking on material tasks so that elders can concentrate on prayer and the ministry of The Word (Acts 6:1-4) 28

29 Other Characteristics First church in Europe Largely Gentile (Acts 16:13; Philippians 4:2) Generously abounded (Philippians 4:16-19; 2 Corinthians 11:9) Early hymn or creed? (2:5-11) I used 64 times 29

30 Philosophy of Christian Living Christ our Life 1. Manifestation of the Christian Life (chapter 1) 1. Prayer of confidence (vv.1-11) 2. Pressing circumstances (vv.12-14) 3. Preaching Christ (vv ) 4. Personal commitment (vv ) 5. Praiseworthy conduct (vv ) 30

31 Pattern for Christian Living Christ Our Mind 1. Illustration of the Christian Life (chapter 2) 1. Plea for humility (vv. 1-4) 2. Picture of humility (vv. 5-11) 3. Program for humility (vv ) 4. Practice of humility (vv.17-30) 31

32 Prize for Christian Living Christ Our Goal 1. Motivation of the Christian Life (Chapter 3) 1. Pattern for it (vv. 1-3) 2. Price for it (vv. 4-11) 3. Pressing toward it (vv ) 4. Prospect of it (vv ) 32

33 Power for Christian Living Christ Our Strength 1. Demonstration of the Christian Life (Chapter 4) 1. Personality conflicts (vv. 1-3) 2. Pure contemplations (vv. 4-9) 3. Pressing circumstances (vv.10-13) 4. Practical contributions (vv.14-23) 33

34 A Few Details Chapter 1 Paul is walking with, not above them Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus. (vv. 1) Bond Servants, not apostleship (vv. 1) Praying for them as fellow servants (vv. 3-5) Encouragement by Manifesting Christ s life in difficult circumstances (vv ) Rejoicing in the preaching of Christ s gospel no matter what motive (vv ) Paul s hope whether he lives or dies (vv ) Praiseworthy conduct no matter what circumstances (vv ) 34

35 A Few Details Chapter 2 Ultimate role model Jesus the Christ (vv. 5-11) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 35

36 A Few Details Chapter 2 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 36

37 Ultimate role model Jesus the Christ (vv. 5-11) Exhortation let this mind dwell in you Example A Few Details Chapter 2 Not grasping to high position Poured out bond-servant man Humbled Himself obedience death on cross 37

38 A Few Details Chapter 2 Ultimate role model continued (vv. 5-11) Past results Highly exalted Name above every name Future results Every knee will bow in heaven, on earth, under earth Every tongue will confess Him as Lord to glorify the Father 38

39 A Few Details Chapter 2 Practice of humility (vv ) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 39

40 Christ is: A Few Details Chapter 2 Our example and inspiration Working in us to follow His example Notice that we are to work out not attain our own salvation 40

41 A Few Details Chapter 3 Starts with encouragement to rejoice in the Lord (vv. 1) Then starts with warning about dogs, evil workers, false circumcision (vv. 2) 3 aspects of the Judaizers 41

42 A Few Details Chapter 3 Then ends with warning about another group (vv ) Sensualists and materialists Enemies of cross of Christ Stomach was their god Gloried in their shame Minds focused on earthly things 42

43 A Few Details Chapter 3 Paul s credentials (vv. 4-6) Their worth (7-8) Paul s worth in Christ (9-10) and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 43

44 A Few Details Chapter 4 Personal demonstrations of Christian life Personal relationships (vv. 1-3) I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Focus rightly (vv. 4-8) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Encouragement (vv. 9-13) Paul Philippians I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Commendation for generosity. 44

45 Highlights of Philippians Introduction (1:1-11) The Advance of The Gospel (1:12-26) A Partnership Worthy of The Gospel (1:27-2:30) The Christ-Hymn of Philippians (2:5-11) Twin Obstacles in The Christian Path (3:1-4:1) Matters Personal and Congregational (4:2-23) 45

46 Next Week I Timothy Ben Hatch 46