Philippians 1
BSB1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me. 8 God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains. 18 What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. 23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. 24 But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my coming to you again your exultation in Christ Jesus will resound on account of me. 27 Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Study Notes — Philippians 1
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Philippians 1
- Themes from Philippians 1
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Philippians 1
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Philippians chapter 1 begins with Paul's greeting to the Philippians, expressing his gratitude for their partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:1-5). He then prays for their continued growth in love and knowledge, and expresses his confidence that God will complete the work He has begun in them (Philippians 1:6-11). Paul also shares about his imprisonment and how it has actually advanced the gospel, as many have been encouraged to preach the gospel with greater courage (Philippians 1:12-18). He then expresses his desire to depart and be with Christ, but also recognizes that his continued presence with the Philippians is necessary for their progress and joy in the faith (Philippians 1:19-26). The chapter concludes with Paul's exhortation to the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and not being intimidated by their opponents (Philippians 1:27-30).
Context for the Chapter
Philippians chapter 1 is part of a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Philippi, a city in Macedonia. The letter was written during Paul's imprisonment in Rome, around 61-63 AD. The chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book, introducing themes of joy, suffering, and the importance of living for Christ. It is also closely connected to other Pauline epistles, such as Ephesians and Colossians, which also deal with the themes of Christ, the gospel, and the Christian life.
Heart Application
This chapter challenges believers to re-evaluate their priorities and focus on living for Christ, regardless of their circumstances. It also encourages believers to be involved in the advancement of the gospel, through prayer, support, and partnership with other believers. As believers, we can apply this chapter by cultivating a deeper relationship with Christ, being willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel, and being grateful for the partnerships and support we have in the body of Christ.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter is about the apostle Paul's joy and contentment despite his imprisonment. He is grateful for the support of the Philippians and confident that God will complete the work He has begun in them. Paul's desire is to live for Christ and to die and be with Him, demonstrating the importance of living for Christ. As believers, we can learn from Paul's example and cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ, being willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel.
Voices from the Church
“The gospel is not a mere set of truths, but a living, breathing, mighty power, that can transform the heart and life of men.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The Christian life is a life of warfare, and we must be prepared to suffer for the sake of the gospel, but we can be confident that God will use our suffering to advance the gospel and bring about joy and growth in believers.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction and Greeting (1:1-2) — Paul greets the Philippians, expressing his gratitude for their partnership in the gospel.
- Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11) — Paul prays for the Philippians, expressing his gratitude for their support and asking God to continue to grow them in love and knowledge.
- Paul's Imprisonment and the Advancement of the Gospel (1:12-18) — Paul shares about his imprisonment and how it has actually advanced the gospel, as many have been encouraged to preach the gospel with greater courage.
- Paul's Desire to Live for Christ (1:19-26) — Paul expresses his desire to live for Christ and to die and be with Him, demonstrating the importance of living for Christ.
- Exhortation to Conduct Themselves in a Manner Worthy of the Gospel (1:27-30) — Paul exhorts the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and not being intimidated by their opponents.
Core Doctrines
- The Sovereignty of God
- This chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all things, including suffering and imprisonment, and can use these circumstances to advance the gospel and bring about joy and growth in believers.
- The Importance of Living for Christ
- The chapter highlights the importance of living for Christ, as Paul's desire is to live for Christ and to die and be with Him.
- The Power of the Gospel
- The chapter demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives and bring about joy and growth in believers.
- The Importance of Partnership and Support
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of partnership and support in the gospel, as Paul expresses his gratitude for the Philippians' involvement in his ministry.
Lessons from Philippians 1
- The Importance of Gratitude — Paul's gratitude for the Philippians' support is a key theme in this chapter, demonstrating the importance of expressing gratitude for the partnerships and support we have in the body of Christ.
- The Power of Prayer — Paul's prayer for the Philippians demonstrates the power of prayer in advancing the gospel and bringing about joy and growth in believers.
- The Importance of Living for Christ — Paul's desire to live for Christ and to die and be with Him highlights the importance of living for Christ, regardless of our circumstances.
- The Role of Suffering in the Christian Life — The chapter introduces the theme of suffering, demonstrating that suffering can be a means of advancing the gospel and bringing about joy and growth in believers.
- The Importance of Unity — Paul's exhortation to the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity, highlights the importance of unity in the body of Christ.
Themes from Philippians 1
- Joy in Suffering — The chapter introduces the theme of joy in suffering, demonstrating that true joy is not dependent on circumstances, but on one's relationship with Christ.
- The Importance of Living for Christ — Paul's desire to live for Christ and to die and be with Him highlights the importance of living for Christ, regardless of our circumstances.
- The Power of the Gospel — The chapter demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives and bring about joy and growth in believers.
- The Importance of Partnership and Support — The chapter emphasizes the importance of partnership and support in the gospel, as Paul expresses his gratitude for the Philippians' involvement in his ministry.
- The Role of Suffering in the Christian Life — The chapter introduces the theme of suffering, demonstrating that suffering can be a means of advancing the gospel and bringing about joy and growth in believers.
Questions for Meditation
- What can we learn from Paul's example about living for Christ, despite difficult circumstances?
- How can we, like the Philippians, be involved in the advancement of the gospel through prayer, support, and partnership with other believers?
- What role does suffering play in the Christian life, and how can we, like Paul, find joy and contentment in the midst of suffering?
- How can we cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ, and what are some practical steps we can take to live for Him?
- What are some ways we can conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and not being intimidated by our opponents?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction and Greeting (1:1-2)
| 1:1 | Paul greets the Philippians, expressing his gratitude for their partnership in the gospel. |
| 1:2 | Paul extends greetings to the Philippians, including the overseers and deacons. |
2. Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11)
| 1:3 | Paul expresses his gratitude for the Philippians' support and partnership in the gospel. |
| 1:4 | Paul prays for the Philippians, asking God to continue to grow them in love and knowledge. |
| 1:5 | Paul thanks God for the Philippians' participation in the gospel from the first day until now. |
| 1:6 | Paul is confident that God will complete the work He has begun in the Philippians. |
| 1:7 | Paul's affection for the Philippians is rooted in their partnership in the gospel. |
| 1:8 | Paul longs to see the Philippians and be with them. |
| 1:9 | Paul prays that the Philippians' love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. |
| 1:10 | Paul prays that the Philippians may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. |
| 1:11 | Paul prays that the Philippians may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. |
3. Paul's Imprisonment and the Advancement of the Gospel (1:12-18)
| 1:12 | Paul shares about his imprisonment and how it has actually advanced the gospel. |
| 1:13 | Paul's imprisonment has become known throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else. |
| 1:14 | Because of Paul's imprisonment, many have been encouraged to preach the gospel with greater courage. |
| 1:15 | Some preach the gospel out of selfish ambition, but others out of goodwill. |
| 1:16 | The latter do so out of love, knowing that Paul is put here for the defense of the gospel. |
| 1:17 | The former preach the gospel out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to add to Paul's troubles. |
| 1:18 | But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. |
4. Paul's Desire to Live for Christ (1:19-26)
| 1:19 | Paul is confident that through the prayers of the Philippians and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, he will be delivered from his troubles. |
| 1:20 | Paul's desire is that Christ will be exalted in his body, whether by life or by death. |
| 1:21 | For Paul, to live is Christ and to die is gain. |
| 1:22 | If Paul is to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for him. |
| 1:23 | Paul is torn between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. |
| 1:24 | But Paul knows that he will remain, and continue with the Philippians for their progress and joy in the faith. |
| 1:25 | Paul is confident that he will remain, and continue with the Philippians for their progress and joy in the faith. |
| 1:26 | Paul's hope is that he will be able to come to the Philippians again, and that they will be able to boast in Christ Jesus because of him. |
5. Exhortation to Conduct Themselves in a Manner Worthy of the Gospel (1:27-30)
| 1:27 | Paul exhorts the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, standing firm in unity. |
| 1:28 | The Philippians should not be intimidated by their opponents, but instead, they should stand firm, knowing that this is a sign of destruction for their opponents, but of salvation for the Philippians. |
| 1:29 | It has been granted to the Philippians not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for Him. |
| 1:30 | The Philippians are experiencing the same struggle they saw in Paul, and now hear that he is still in the same struggle. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Philippians chapter 1?
The main theme of Philippians chapter 1 is joy in suffering, as Paul expresses his gratitude for the Philippians' support and partnership in the gospel, despite his imprisonment (Philippians 1:1-5).
What is Paul's desire in Philippians 1:21?
Paul's desire is to live for Christ and to die and be with Him, demonstrating the importance of living for Christ (Philippians 1:21).
How can we, like the Philippians, be involved in the advancement of the gospel?
We can be involved in the advancement of the gospel through prayer, support, and partnership with other believers, as the Philippians did (Philippians 1:3-5).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philippians 1:1 → Galatians 1:1 | Both Paul and the Philippians are partners in the gospel, demonstrating the importance of partnership and support in the gospel. |
| 2 | Philippians 1:6 → 1 Thessalonians 1:3 | Paul's confidence that God will complete the work He has begun in the Philippians is similar to his confidence in the Thessalonians. |
| 3 | Philippians 1:9 → Colossians 1:9 | Paul's prayer for the Philippians to grow in love and knowledge is similar to his prayer for the Colossians. |
| 4 | Philippians 1:12 → 2 Timothy 2:9 | Paul's imprisonment has actually advanced the gospel, demonstrating that God can use difficult circumstances to bring about good. |
| 5 | Philippians 1:18 → 1 Corinthians 1:17 | The importance of preaching the gospel, regardless of the motives, is a theme in both Philippians and 1 Corinthians. |
| 6 | Philippians 1:21 → Galatians 2:20 | Paul's desire to live for Christ and to die and be with Him is similar to his statement in Galatians. |
| 7 | Philippians 1:23 → 2 Corinthians 5:8 | Paul's desire to depart and be with Christ is rooted in his love for Christ and his desire to be with Him. |
| 8 | Philippians 1:27 → Ephesians 4:1 | Paul's exhortation to the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel is similar to his exhortation to the Ephesians. |
Sermons on Philippians 1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Costa Rica) Trusting God With All Your Tomorrows by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the Apostle Paul and how he was chained to circumstances he couldn't change. The preacher shares the story of a pastor whose ministry was a |
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Dating Sermon by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the issue of young men in today's society, referring to them as "mall waifs" who spend their time playing video games and hanging out at malls |
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Christ Magnified in Our Bodies by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of redeeming the time and not wasting opportunities. He highlights the urgency of spreading the gospel, as there are millions |
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Enjoying God's Grace - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that each individual is responsible for their own spiritual journey and cannot rely on a set of rules to save them. They explain that when Je |
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Women in the Church - Part 1 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impending judgment of God on the whole earth. He begins by describing the state of the earth, which is mourning and fading away, and its i |
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(Nicaragua) I Have Labored in Vain by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker shares the story of a missionary who became discouraged after five years of laboring in a certain nation without seeing any results. Despite God's promi |
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Beatitudes/clothed in Christ 1 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power and authority of true prophets of God. He highlights how the prophets in the Bible, including Paul, delivered strong and sometimes |
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(True Disciple Conference) the Greatest Words in All of Scripture by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing a horrifying scenario where a person's family is violently slaughtered. He then compares this to the justice system, where the murd |
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"Where Are the Faithful Young Men?" by John Piper | This sermon calls for a generation willing to sacrifice their lives for Christ, to live dangerously and be reckless in His service, to prioritize prayer and God's Word above all el |
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Take Heed You Are Not Deceived by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker warns against falling into deception and emphasizes the importance of staying grounded in the scriptures. He cautions against relying on subjective impr |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Philippians 1
In Philippians chapter 1, the apostle Paul expresses his gratitude for the Philippians' support and partnership in the gospel, despite his imprisonment. He prays for their continued growth in love and knowledge, and expresses his confidence that God will complete the work He has begun in them. Paul's desire is to live for Christ and to die and be with Him, demonstrating the importance of living for Christ. The chapter concludes with Paul's exhortation to the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and not being intimidated by their opponents. As Matthew Henry notes, 'the gospel of Christ is a powerful thing, and will be victorious, notwithstanding all the opposition it meets with.' The chapter teaches us about the importance of living for Christ, the power of the gospel, and the importance of partnership and support in the gospel. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
Paul's Joy in Suffering
Despite being in prison, Paul is filled with joy and contentment, demonstrating that true joy is not dependent on circumstances, but on one's relationship with Christ.
The Importance of Partnership
The chapter highlights the importance of partnership and support in the gospel, as Paul expresses his gratitude for the Philippians' involvement in his ministry.
The Theme of Suffering
The chapter introduces the theme of suffering, which is a major theme throughout the book of Philippians, and how it can be a means of advancing the gospel and bringing about joy and growth in believers.