Another Bible Commentary: Philippians

Paul wrote this letter to his first European church during his imprisonment in Rome. To remember how this church in Philippi in Macedonia (not to be confused with Caesarea Philippi in Israel, one of many cities called Caesarea) came into being (Lydia, a scared jailer, a de-powered fortune teller, nude beatings, and a divine jailbreak), see Acts 16. This was Luke’s home church after Acts 16:11-40.

1:1 This hierarchy happened earlier than some academics say it did.

1:2 We get grace and shalom right up front, unearned.

1:3-5 We’re all ministers of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6) because it’s about what He did for us and not about anything we do or we have done.

1:6 See Proverbs 20:24 and Isaiah 46:4. He’ll get you where you’re going.

1:7 We have grace already. We’re not on probation..

1:10 We are pure and blameless because of what Jesus did (1 Corinthians 6:11, Colossians 1:22, Hebrews 10:10,14). Moreover, He is the Vine, and we are but branches (John 15:5). Anything God likes, He’s doing within us (Romans 14:4, Hebrews 13:20-21, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:13, Jude 24). Therefore, note that “sincere and without offense” (another way to translate this) is the same “without offense” from Acts 24:16 and 1 Corinthians 10:32 about keeping a good reputation among humans for the sake of the Gospel (Titus 2:10).

1:11 We are saved. The fruit is from Him for His glory.

1:12 In addition to conversions in high places, Paul had time to write a good chunk of the Bible for us.

1:15-18 The “super-apostles”, Judaizers, etc., were taking up Paul’s market share (Philippians 3:2) while he was locked up.

1:20-26 You cannot properly kill a Christian, as we’re already eternal, and God can give back anything that was taken and then some. Heaven’s going to be awesome. I am reminded of Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight in which he laughed while being beaten by an opponent stronger in the flesh, saying "You have nothing! Nothing to threaten me with. Nothing to do with all your strength." Christian martyrs’ deaths in the arena gained respect from the crowd and led to more conversions.

1:27 This is another instance of, “You’re saints; act like it” with all the assurances of the Philippians 1:10 note.

1:28 You will be saved. They will be destroyed. Fearlessness is a demonstration, not a way to earn it.

1:29-30 While Matthew 5:10-12 and John 15:18 are applicable, this was specifically a prophecy of Roman persecution that arrived in 64 AD. The Philippians suffered like Paul (Acts 9:16).

2:1-2 Paul spoke generally in these next sections, but got specific in Philippians 4:2 about who was at odds (and therefore grumbling, in need of humility, etc.) in the church in Philippi.

2:3-4 “not looking to your own interests” which is to say not looking only/solely/exclusively to your own interests, as self-care was endorsed in Ephesians 5:29, financial responsibility was endorsed in Romans 13:8, etc. For introverts such as myself, the acronym FORD helps with what is called “small talk”. Asking others about their family/friends, occupation, recreation, and dreams/goals is usually a welcome opportunity to talk about themselves. Ask open-ended rather than yes-or-no questions. As they get comfortable around you, opportunities to pray for them, help them, etc.. may present themselves.

2:5 Paul, locked up, started singing a hymn like the prisoners in Acts.

2:6-7 “servant” See Genesis 2:15. What Would Jesus Do? Live humbly in total dependance on the Father and the Holy Spirit to work through Him. We are more like moons than stars; we reflect His light.

2:8-9 “Therefore” Jesus fulfilled Matthew 5:3, Matthew 23:12, etc., so He rules, and we rule with Him. Jesus’ name is above every name because Jesus is LORD (Romans 10:9).

2:10-11 as in Isaiah 45:23.

2:12 Regarding “obeyed”, See Philippians 3:9; salvation is still by grace through faith. He rules, and the obedience He commands is belief (John 6:28-29). About “work out your salvation”, notice that Paul didn’t say work for your salvation or work on your salvation. Jesus did all the work to save us and make us new people. “Work out” what He “worked in” so to speak; demonstrate the effects in your life of being a saved person (the fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23). Remember that “fear and trembling” is an idiom for reverence and awe as in 1 Corinthians 2:3. Our behavior is the only Bible that most of the world will ever read, so Paul encouraged us to represent Christ well (Titus 2:10), especially the Philippians facing their impending persecution.

2:13 The reverence and awe (verse 12) is because it is God Himself at work in your life. He doesn’t just force you to act as He wills, He also makes you willing to do His will (1 Kings 8:58, Ezekiel 36:27). Rather than envying the audible communication seen sometimes in the Bible, realize that we have something better. For a Christian, being led by the Holy Spirit feels like doing exactly what your new heart wants to do. It feels so normal it can be overlooked, not weird (1 Corinthians 14:32-33).

God is not the author of fear (2 Timothy 1:7), His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), there is no condemnation for us (John 5:24, Romans 8:1), we can approach Him boldly (Hebrews 4:16), there is no wrath for us (Romans 5:9).

2:14 Again, this is pressing toward Philippians 4:2, as was Philippians 2:1-4. Miriam got punished for running her mouth in Numbers 12, but as you recall the divinely inspired psalmists (See Hebrews 3:7-11 and Psalm 95:7-11) complained about a lot of things. Are you trying to help or hurt with your words? Are you, in essence, griping to God or griping about God?

2:15 “you may become blameless” This is another “so that no one may criticize you” example of keeping the Gospel in high regard like Titus 2:10. You already are blameless with regard to God because of what Jesus did for you (Colossians 1:22). Paul nodded to Deuteronomy 32:5. See also Matthew 5:14.

2:16 “labor in vain” as far as bringing them to faith in Christ.

2:17-18 Paul, in prison, knew his days might have been numbered, like theirs (Philippians 1:29).

2:26-27 This may seem controversial to some believers, but Christians are capable of getting sick. This is not guaranteed to be because of their sins, lack of faith, etc. Paul’s sorrow was not like the world’s sorrow (1 Thessalonians 4:13), but because a coworker going to Heaven early would have affected his mission; see verses 22 and 25. Paul was in prison, so he needed other people on the outside to keep things going.

3:1 Paul repeats the imperative to rejoice in Philippians 4:4. Keep on rejoicing.

3:2 Jews called Gentiles and male prostitutes dogs. Dogs were not pets in that culture; they roamed around eating dead/unclean things and spread ritual uncleanliness wherever they went. Paul calling his Jewish opponents dogs would have been extremely insulting.

3:3 Our word liturgy is derived from Greek for “work of the people”; notice that in this verse our proper service and therefore worship in the Spirit is trusting Christ instead of our own works. Your whole life led by Him is worship (Romans 12:1), and everything you do except sinning can be an expression of the life of Jesus Christ in you.

3:4-5 The sarx is just “the flesh”, the old worldly patterns for making life work apart from Christ that are slowly un-learned in the new life by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2); it is in contrast to “the Spirit”. Your old self died at the Cross. Jesus fixed our hearts, but we now renew our minds by learning the new way to live from the new heart. A dead flower can bloom in water, but it is still dead. There is good-looking “flesh” to be wrongly proud of, like Paul’s entire spiritual resumé as a Pharisee, and there is bad-looking “flesh” like the sins people run to in order to cope with life instead of leaning on Jesus; it’s all human effort instead of faith. Sin likes to encourage anything but looking to Jesus. When I was a baby, I would refuse help by saying “I do it by itself!” The Flesh is something people can set their minds on (Romans 8:6-7) and walk according to (2 Corinthians 10:3 KJV, Galatians 5:16). It battles the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). It is the way of human effort (Galatians 3:3). It can be a resumé of strengths and status (1 Corinthians 1:26 KJV, Philippians 3:4-6), an object of confidence (Philippians 3:4). Instead of clinging to old habits and strategies, be transformed by the renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2). Rule-keeping or self improving flesh is no better (Galatians 3:3, Col 2).

3:6 “faultless” to human eyes. See Romans 7.

3:8 Paul used the Greek equivalent of what English speakers may know as “the s-word”; all of Paul’s do-goodery was a big steaming pile of it next to knowing Jesus Christ. Since we’re supposed to be saying what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, unwholesome talk is using words to tear others down and harm them like putting actual curses on them. It’s not about a list of forbidden words and topics, but using words that people don’t like to hear around them can be unloving. See Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:6.

3:9 Believing in Christ gives us righteousness (Romans 3:22) and places us within Him (John 17:20-26).

3:10 “to know” Paul knows Christ, so this is “to know (more and more)”. The participation in suffering was Paul’s proof of the legitimacy of his conversion (Acts 9:16) and the birth pains of the Church as we know it (Colossians 1:24). All Christians are one in Christ (John 17:20-23), so we’re all persecuted; if it doesn’t feel like it, then you’re probably in a position to offer material support to our suffering brethren, so please consider it.

3:11 Paul says that we’re new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), so here he was referring to the awaited completion of our resurrection, our new bodies (1 Corinthians 15). See Philippians 3:20-21.

3:12 It’s clear that the final resurrection of the dead as in Daniel 12:2 has not happened yet. We’re in Christ (Philippians 3:9), and it’s on the way (Philippians 1:6). Paul pivoted to talking about his goal, namely his evangelism mission (Acts 20:24). Righteousness is by grace through faith (Philippians 3:9), but live the life He saved you for (Philippians 1:27) because that’s the only thing that will ultimately satisfy you. Starting from a position of being one hundred percent okay in God’s grace, Paul went to work (1 Corinthians 15:10).

3:13 “do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of” Paul was speaking of his goal; he wasn’t done evangelizing, even in prison. “Forgetting what is behind” is possible in our all-grace atmosphere; Paul could let go of his sinful past and his recent sufferings to focus only on Jesus.

3:14 The “goal” and the “prize” here are more people in Heaven (Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Salvation is not earned (Philippians 3:9).

3:15 See John 16:13.

3:16 “we have already attained” You’re already saved if you believe in Christ, so act saved. I keep saying it because Paul kept saying it.

3:17 See 1 Corinthians 11:1. We are criticized for understanding Jesus’ teachings through the lens of Paul, but that is exactly Paul’s function for us Gentiles. What way of life does Paul give us? Faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9).

3:18-19 These enemies oppose the simple truth of Philippians 3:9, that Jesus finished His work on the Cross and made righteousness available through faith in Him. Paul’s Jewish opponents (Philippians 3:2) instead emphasized things like adherence to a Jewish diet (“their god is their stomach”), penile appearance (“their glory is in their shame”), and keeping the Law of Moses. The bellygod accusation also refers to their dishonest gain (Titus 1:10-11), which applies to phony preachers of every stripe (2 Peter 2:3, 1 Timothy 6:5, Romans 16:18, 2 Corinthians 2:17, and 2 Corinthians 11).

3:20 Our citizenship is in Heaven already, for we are in Him (John 17:20-23, Ephesians 2:6). Are you feeling safe yet?

3:21 We’re already guaranteed to go to Heaven as believers because of what Jesus did for us, and He will transform our physical nature to match our new inner selves as in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. There are clues in the Bible about what that will be like. Logically, all of the problems mentioned in Leviticus 21:16-24, Deuteronomy 23:1, etc., will be fixed at the end. We’ll still be able to eat (Luke 24:41-43). Jesus was mistaken for a gardener, so it doesn’t seem that our default form will become a many-eyed angel. Humans were made in God’s Image, so it’s not like we need that much redecorating. This is speculative, but since we had the ability to procreate before the Fall in Genesis 1:28, the possibility of having kids in Heaven cannot be entirely ruled out. Why would God diminish His Image when He finally finishes fixing us? There is no marriage (Matthew 22:30) as among the angels, but it seems that angels can impregnate people (Genesis 6, Jude), and that the problem with that was “strange flesh” outside the proper categories, as with bestiality. Marriage is a symbol of Christ’s relationship with the Church, and symbols go away sometimes (Hebrews 10:1). Then again, maybe a finite number of people were built into Adam when he was created, and they’re all destined to emerge before the Book ends. We don’t know many things, but we do know that Heaven will be awesome (1 Corinthians 2:9).

4:1 Paul’s prize (Philippians 3:14) is more saved people (1 Thessalonians 2:19–20).

4:2 This pair’s argument seems to be a big reason why we got the letter to the Philippians (Philippians 2:1-4, Philippians 2:14).

4:3 Clement went on to be Bishop of Rome, or “Pope”. We saw the “book of life” back in Exodus 32:32-33, Psalm 69:28, Daniel 12:1, and Malachi 3:16-17. It’s coming around again in Hebrews 12:23, Revelation 3:5, and Revelation 13:8. He will never blot us out.

4:4 Rejoice some more (Philippians 3:1).

4:5 Gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23) evident to all helps the spread of the Gospel (Titus 2:10).

4:6 Asking after rejoicing (verse 4) makes sense in light of Psalm 37:4.

4:7 “peace” (Galatians 5:22-23).

4:8 Don’t dwell on bad stuff. Jesus is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. The people in Philippians 4:2 could have focused on Jesus living within each other to get along.

4:11-13 The context for being able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us was originally the ability to be content in bad circumstances rather than just for sports powerups. Some believers say you must have more material blessings (Calvinists as proof of being elect, Prosperity-focused people as proof of adequate faith), and some believers say you must have less material blessings (the Social Gospel people), but the Gospel simply says that He is what is needed whatever your circumstances may be.

4:19 God is not stingy. He can meet any need you can think of, including the need to “hold fast”/endure/overcome/obey/avoid sin/be holy/persevere/etc., and His hyperabundant grace grows to handle any shortfall (Romans 5:20).

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