Day 339: Philippians

(The Epistle to the Philippians was written around the same time as Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. These letters were written by Paul around 64 AD from Rome during his time in prison. This was the sixth book of the section of the New Testament known as the Pauline Epistles and the third book of the mini-section known as the the Prison Epistles. Paul stated the purpose for writing this letter was to present the joy of grace in the Christian walk, both here on earth and in eternity. So far, we have seen that:
-Romans presented the most foundational Christian Doctrine: Salvation.
-1 Corinthians focused on the application of the foundational Doctrine towards a very new church.
-2 Corinthians was a more mature application of foundational Doctrine.
-Galatians was a review of these first three Pauline Epistles.
-Ephesians presented an overarching framework for the rest of Christian Doctrine unto its end, which is The Meaning of Life: All believers interact with each other as "cells in the body" of the Bride which is married to Jesus.)

(This letter focused on the day-to-day effects that ought to result from a believer understanding the previous five epistles: joy regardless of the circumstances.)

Philippians 1
¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

(Timothy was with Paul during the writing of this letter. Paul and Timothy were writing to the saints (believers) and bishops and deacons (church leaders) at Philippi. A deacon was a minister/servant, they directly helped the members of the church. A bishop was an overseer, they directly helped the deacons. See 1 Timothy 3 for a detailed explanation about bishops and deacons.)

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
³ I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,
⁴ always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy,
⁵ for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now;

(When Paul thought about the Philippians it caused him to thank God. He was joyful in his supplication for them because their fellowship had been furthering the Gospel.)

⁶ being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:

(The theme of this first chapter was confidence. Paul was confident in the Philippians to the point his fellowship with them brought him joy. Paul was confident in God to finish the good work He was doing through the Philippians via the Holy Spirit: grace. Paul even referenced the Meaning of Life when he set the timetable for this perfection as "until the day of Jesus Christ": our Groom.)

⁷ even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.

(Paul stated that he felt confident the Philippians were partakers with him of grace in his ministry.)

⁸ For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

(Paul longed after the Philippians. Paul had very positive emotions when he thought about the Philippians.)

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;

(Paul prayed that their love would grow "more and more" in knowledge and all discernment. Knowledge is the what, the facts. Discernment meant "understanding; knowing the why behind the what." Paul tied love with knowledge and understanding, not emotion.)

¹⁰ so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;

(Paul wanted the Philippians to grow in understanding so that they would know the reason (why) for excellent things. Again, Paul identified the timetable as the time when we are with Jesus in eternity.)

¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

(The fruits of Righteousness are through Jesus Christ. Again, Paul wanted the Philippians to grow in their understanding. When you know the right why behind your actions, you can intentionally do (right how) the right thing (right what). The what is important, but only as an effect of the right how/why, otherwise it is deception: a right what with a wrong or no how/why. Jesus via the Holy Spirit is the right how/why, and the result is Righteousness that leads to Salvation.)

¹² Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel;
¹³ so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest;
¹⁴ and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.

(Paul explained how an apparent bad what (in prison) was actually good: Paul's rejoicing (how) in bonds (what) was (the why) making other believers bold to speak the word without fear.)

¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
¹⁶ the one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel;
¹⁷ but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds.

(Preaching Christ is a right what. However, Paul contrasted the how/why of two groups of people doing this right what. One group's how was with envy and strife because their why was trying to raise up affliction. The other group's how was of good will and love because their why was they had confidence in Paul's defense of the Gospel.)

¹⁸ What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

(This verse began with the only question in this entire letter. Paul did not care if people had wrong intentions for preaching Christ, as long as Christ was proclaimed because Paul knew that God could make all things work for good. However, Paul would have declared those people as false teachers if they had presented a wrong Christ.)

¹⁹ For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

(Paul stated that he knew this would all turn out for his good, which was why he could do it (how) with joy. Paul was committed to living Christ and even dying for Christ.)

²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

(Paul knew living was for Christ and dying was personal gain. Living is Christ when you live according to the divine influence upon your heart (grace), which results in Salvation. Dying is gain when you believe (have faith) that you will have Salvation by grace through faith and Reward by faith through Justice.)

²² But if to live in the flesh, --if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not.
²³ But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:
²⁴ yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

(Paul's personal desire was to be with Christ but he knew that it was better for others for him to continue to live in Christ and stay on earth (flesh). Paul wanted to be with Christ but was more focused on the welfare of others than his own welfare.)

²⁵ And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith;
²⁶ that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.

(Again, Paul was confident. Specifically, that he would live in this world in order to help others make progress towards faith in Christ. Paul was a leader: he facilitated the purpose and progress of others.)

²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you and be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;

(Paul had shown that he had joy whether he would live or die, and he gave the why. Paul transitioned this perspective onto the Philippians. Paul wanted the Philippians to live according to the Gospel whether Paul saw it because he was physically present (life) or heard it because he was not present (death). Our actions ought to be the same whether we are in the presence of our spiritual leaders or not. First and foremost, our focus should be on God being our spiritual leader and God always sees our actions.)

²⁸ and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God;
²⁹ because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf:

(Doctrine: On behalf of Christ, those who believe in Him will also suffer for His sake. Paul did not shy away from the negative aspects, in fact, he wanted us to take joy in them. Paul concluded by putting the Philippians in the place of seeing and hearing about Paul.)

³⁰ having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

(Theme of Chapter 1: Confidence. Paul was confident in the Philippians and God to the point that he felt joy regardless of his circumstances, both "good" and "bad." Paul began this letter exhorting us why to live out our day-to-day Christian faith: because it can result in joy regardless of the circumstances. The next chapter will focus on how to live out our day-to-day Christian faith: conformity.)




Philippians 2
¹ If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,

(Paul began this next section with four if's. The most critical one was "fellowship of the Spirit," which would lead to fellowship with each other (consolation of love, tender mercies, compassions, etc.). Paul stated that if the Philippians had any fellowship of the Spirit (and any fellowship with each other)...)

² make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

(...then they should do the following:
1) Make Paul's joy full.
2) Unity - same mind and same love.
The overarching theme of this letter was joy, so it was no surprise that believers' fellowship with God (First Command) and fellowship with each other (Second Command) would make Paul's joy full. What is interesting was Paul's additional focus on unity, which was a theme of Ephesians - "unity through uniqueness." During the commentary for the Book of Ephesians we presented a "1-2-3" model. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit is a "1" - the individual. Fellowship with others is a "2" - exchanging with other individuals. Everyone being of one accord is a "3" - the community as a whole. How did Paul think believers could have unity? How can people achieve "3"?)

³ doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;

(Paul first explained a "not 1" - not doing things for the immediate benefit of the individual. Then he followed up with a "2" - do all things in humility, thinking of others as more excellent than ourselves. The principle of uniqueness allows everyone to see everyone else as more excellent than themselves, because everyone can be the most excellent in what God made them to be, in their "1.")

⁴ not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

(Again, Paul explained a "not 1" - not doing things for the immediate benefit of the individual. Then he followed up with a "2" - do things for others.)

(Verses 5-8: foundational Doctrine that showed how Christ was fully man and fully God.)

⁵ Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

(Paul exhorted us to conform ourselves to the same mind that was in Christ, and Paul then specifically explained Christ's perspective.)

⁶ who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,

(Doctrine: Jesus is fully God. Jesus' Nature is Right and Just. The one man who ever lived that was God in the flesh did not see being equal with God as something He would do as a cause.

Huge Point: Jesus did not act directly in His God Nature while He was on earth. How did Jesus act?)

⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;

(Doctrine: Jesus was fully man. Man has a free will, which meant man has the ability to act apart from his nature. God the Father is Right and Just, and cannot act apart from this Nature. God still has choice, but all the choices are within His Nature. Jesus could act apart from His God Nature, and He did by emptying Himself, by becoming a servant.

John 8:28 documented Jesus said He did nothing of Himself, which was the same as Jesus not thinking that being equal with God was a thing He could intentionally do. While Jesus was on earth, He could have chosen to do wrong. Isaiah 7:14-16 (the most famous prophecy concerning Jesus' virginal birth) stated that He would eat butter and honey until He knew to refuse the evil and choose the good. Once Jesus went to heaven after His resurrection and was judged, His Nature was set. Today, Jesus does not have free will. Paul stated Jesus did not act in His equality with God by directly acting as God. Jesus humbled Himself and allowed God the Father to do everything through Him via the Holy Spirit, via grace. How humble was Christ?)

⁸ and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.

(Doctrine: Jesus humbled Himself even unto death on the cross. Paul's point was that we should humble ourselves towards other believers because even Jesus, who could have acted directly in His divinity, did not do it, so why do we think we can directly do divine behavior? The only way we can do divine works is if we humble ourselves and allow God to do the divine works through us via the Holy Spirit, which is grace. We need to choose to conform our mind to this same mind that was in Christ.)

⁹ Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;

(Doctrine: When you are humble, you will be exalted. When you exalt yourself, you will be humbled. Christ's ultimate obedience to the Father (going from divine to dying on the cross) caused God to highly exalt Christ.)

¹⁰ that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,
¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Christ is exalted so highly that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Everyone will be humble, it is up to you HOW this happens. You can humble yourself internally through understanding or you will be humbled externally through experience.)

¹² So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

(Paul brought back the perspective of walking in our faith regardless of the conditions. Paul liked to quote Psalms, and Psalm 2:11 said, "Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling." Verse 12 could be seen as saying our Christian walk ought to continue regardless of our circumstances, whether it was fear/respect or joy, which was the theme of this letter. We ought to be humbly living by obedience knowing that it works for our Salvation...)

¹³ for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

(…because it is God that works in us via the Holy Spirit, which is grace.)

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and questionings:
¹⁵ that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,
¹⁶ holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.

(Paul wanted the Philippians to continue their Christian walk regardless of the evil circumstances they lived in so that Paul would be able to glory (have joy) in the day of Christ: Meaning of Life. Paul did not want to think he wasted his time ministering to the Philippians. Notice, it was possible for Paul, of all people, to minister to a group of people and that people choose not to bear fruit, which would result in no Reward for Paul due to this interaction.)

¹⁷ Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:
¹⁸ and in the same manner do ye also joy, and rejoice with me.

(Paul stated he would have joy and rejoice if he had to give his life for their faith, and then stated that they would also have joy and rejoice with him. Again, the theme of this letter was joy.)

¹⁹ But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

(Paul wanted to send Timothy to Philippi so that he would know how they were. Paul hoped that if Christ wanted Timothy to go to Philippi that Paul would see Timothy again to hear how the Philippians were doing.)

²⁰ For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state.
²¹ For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.
²² But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.

(Paul affirmed Timothy to the Philippians. Paul seemed to be quite alone, except for Timothy who must have been a man who was likeminded with Paul and who would truly care for the Philippians. Paul had been around many people who sought out their own benefit and not what would please Christ. Timothy had served with Paul and Timothy's actions proved he was sincere.)

²³ Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me:
²⁴ but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly.

(Paul also wanted to be in Philippi.)

²⁵ But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need;
²⁶ since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick:
²⁷ for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
²⁸ I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

(Paul sent Epaphroditus back to Philippi to be with his people.)

²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor:
³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

(Epaphroditus nearly lost his life for the work of Christ.)

(Theme of Chapter 2: Conformity. Paul began this letter exhorting the Philippians why to live out their day-to-day Christian faith: because it can result in joy regardless of the circumstances. The previous chapter focused on how to live out the day-to-day Christian faith: Conform one's mind to the mind of Christ. The mind that was in Christ was to humble himself and allow God to direct His actions via the Holy Spirit, even though Christ could have done divine acts in His own strength because His Nature is Right and Just. Again, the result of conforming to Christ's mind was joy in every circumstance during our Christian walk. Next, Paul exhorted the Philippians to continuously mature with a concentrated and consecrated walk.)




Philippians 3
¹ Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe.

(Paul began writing his final thoughts to the Philippians, not necessarily his last thoughts. This final thought was according to the theme of this letter: rejoice in the Lord. Paul did not feel hindered in writing to the Philippians.)

² Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision:

(Paul was making them aware of "dogs, evil workers, and the concision":
-Dogs being "impure persons."
-Evil workers being "deceitful workers"…people with a right what and a wrong or no how/why.
-The concision being "circumcision"…which Paul followed through with in the next verse.)

³ for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

(Paul stating "we are the circumcision" was in the context of those who lived by faith. This referred to spiritual circumcision, those whose confidence was in the Holy Spirit and not in the flesh.)

⁴ though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
⁶ as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

(Paul revisited the theme of chapter 1: Confidence. If anyone was to have confidence in the flesh it would be Paul. Everything the people in Paul's day stated were things to be grasped, were things Paul had attained. However, all those things were physical.)

⁷ Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
⁸ Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,

(Paul counted anything that was not for Christ as "refuse." Paul consecrated himself from the things that would appeal to his flesh.)

⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:

(The theme of the previous chapter: Righteousness comes by faith in God.)

¹⁰ that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death;
¹¹ if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.

(Paul again revisited the theme of chapter 2: Conformity.)

¹² Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

(Paul knew there was no finish line in growth. Believers ought to always be progressing in Christ.)

¹³ Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
¹⁴ I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

(The only thing Paul admitted to having attained was a long term mentality. He was focused (concentrated) on growth, on progress towards consecration.)

¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you:
¹⁶ only, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.

(Paul wanted other believers to be as concentrated on consecration (perfection) as he was and if not, may God reveal it to you.)

¹⁷ Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.

(Paul blatantly stated he wanted people to be as him (growth oriented) and that others who were also concentrated on consecration should be pointed out for the benefit of others.)

¹⁸ For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
¹⁹ whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

(The enemies of the "cross of Christ" were people who concentrated on the physical, who concentrated on their own glory, and whose end was eternal destruction...which was not consecration.)

²⁰ For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

(Paul stated that "we wait for a Savior." Since Christ had already come, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, Paul must have meant the second coming of Christ: the Meaning of Life.)

²¹ who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

(Our final consecration will be achieved through conforming to the Body of His glory, which is the Bride that is submitted to Jesus, the Groom in Marriage.)

(Theme of Chapter 3: Paul exhorted the Philippians to concentrate on their consecration in Christ, to continually focus on growing in Righteousness regardless of our circumstances. The final chapter concluded with contentment.)




Philippians 4
¹ Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.

(Paul referred to the Philippians as his "brethren beloved and longed for." Paul felt good about himself because he felt good about the Philippians. This last chapter was Paul's closing thoughts…)

² I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord.
³ Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

(Paul vouched for Euodia and Syntyche, who were women who worked with Paul and also Clement. Paul knew these people as believers and wanted the Philippians to help these people in their work.)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.

(The theme of this letter.)

⁵ Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
⁶ In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

(Be anxious (worry) for nothing, worrying about "something" will not help you get to that "something" faster. We ought to set an objective that is in our control and go for it. We ought to be content...)

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

(The peace of God passes all understanding. This did not mean that we couldn't have "all understanding." This meant that having the peace of God is greater than all understanding.)

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

(Verse 8 contained things that we ought to think on. In the first chapter of this letter, Paul told the Philippians that when he thinks of them, he was thankful and joyful. Thinking on the things in verse 8 ought to cause you to be content: thankful and joyful. When you think about God and when you think about scripture, do you feel better or worse? We are going to be surrounded by things that are not pleasant, but we have the choice on what we think about.)

⁹ The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

(Paul told them to do the things that they had learned, heard, and seen Paul do and it would result in peace from God.)

¹⁰ But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity.
¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.

(Paul was a mature believer. The ultimate proof of his maturity was he was content in whatever state he was in, including persecution.)

¹² I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.
¹³ I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

(Paul summarized it by saying he could do all things in Jesus via the Holy Spirit. Paul knew that the answer to him being humbled and him being Rewarded was grace, from Him that strengthens His servants.)

¹⁴ Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction.
¹⁵ And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only;
¹⁶ for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need.

(The Philippians gave the most to Paul, even when he was not there.)

¹⁷ Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account.

(Paul made it clear that his focus was not on the gifts he received from the Philippians but on helping them increase their own fruit.)

¹⁸ But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, and odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.
¹⁹ And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
²⁰ Now unto our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
²¹ Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you.
²² All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesar's household.
²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

(Theme of Chapter 4: Contentment. Paul's proof of maturity was that he was content in every circumstance because he knew he could do all things by Jesus through the Holy Spirit.)

(The Epistle to the Philippians was written around the same time as Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. These letters were written by Paul around 64 AD from Rome during his time in prison. This was the sixth book of the section of the New Testament known as the Pauline Epistles and the third book of the mini-section known as the the Prison Epistles. Paul stated the purpose for writing this letter was to present the joy of grace in the Christian walk, both here on earth and in eternity. So far, we have seen that:
-Romans presented the most foundational Christian Doctrine: Salvation.
-1 Corinthians focused on the application of the foundational Doctrine towards a very new church.
-2 Corinthians was a more mature application of foundational Doctrine.
-Galatians was a review of these first three Pauline Epistles.
-Ephesians presented an overarching framework for the rest of Christian Doctrine unto its end, which is The Meaning of Life: All believers interact with each other as "cells in the body" of the Bride which is married to Jesus.
-Philippians focused on the day-to-day effects that ought to result from a believer understanding the previous five epistles: joy regardless of the circumstances.)

Day 340