1. Exposition of Philippians
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Philippians
Phil 1:3-11

2. The Prison Epistles Philippians also written
from here and delivered to
Philippi by Epaphroditus
(Phil 2:25-30).
Ephesians,
Colossians,
& Philemon
written from here
and delivered by Tychicus
and Onesimus (Eph 6:21;
Col 4:7-9).
Paul is under house arrest from AD. He has decent living conditions, is allowed visitors, and is even permitted to teach the Gospel. Only a few from the circumcision are assisting him (Col 4:10-11). He expects to be released. His condition in this imprisonment is in sharp contrast to the one from which he writes 2 Timothy.

3. Outline of Philippians
Salutation (1:1-2)
Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11)
Thanksgiving for the Philippians’ Participation in the Gospel (1:3-8)
Petition for the Philippians’ Growth in Christ (1:9-11)

4. Thanksgiving for the Philippians’ Participation in the Gospel (1:3-8)
Every time Paul thought of and prayed for the Philippians, he was:
thankful to God
filled with joy (first occurrence in v. 4; not dependent upon circumstance; a supernatural fruit of the Spirit).
Verse 5 tells us why: the Philippians’ “fellowship” in the Gospel from the first day until now. Includes both their common faith and the Philippians’ financial support.
Paul knows that God will finish what he has begun in the lives of these believers. All 3 elements of salvation are alluded to here:
Justification
Sanctification
Glorification
The day of Christ Jesus refers to His second coming and all the events surrounding that.
Paul expressed such thanksgiving in every letter he wrote, except for Galatians. Paul was actually reluctant to accept money from folks he preached to, in order that he might not be charged with making money off what should be free. But his relationship with this church was such that he received gifts from them on several occasions without such fear.

5. Thanksgiving for the Philippians’ Participation in the Gospel (1:3-8)
Paul is not surprised that he feels so strongly towards these folks; “it is righteous” that he feel this way. Why?
because the Philippians have stood by him through thick and thin, from the establishment of the church there, through his defenses of the Gospel before both Jews and Romans, and up through his current imprisonment.
Paul uses the strongest of language to testify to his inner affection for the Philippians: “God is my witness.” This affection comes from Christ Himself.

6. Petition for the Philippians’ Growth in Christ (1:9-11)
Having expressed his thanksgiving and affection for the Philippians, he now describes his petitions to God on their behalf, that they would:
abound even more in love – the Philippians had already demonstrated this avga,ph love, but Paul wants them to grow even more in this key Christian virtue.
grow in real knowledge and discernment - their love was not to be an undiscriminating tolerance of anything, but one that was based on moral perception and discernment.

7. Petition for the Philippians’ Growth in Christ (1:9-11)
V. 10 provides two reasons why Paul prays this way:
that the Philippians might make the best decisions possible – “proving by means of testing the things which differ”; able to distinguish what is truly worthy (cf. Phil 4:8-9), among many alternatives, and make it part of their lives.
that the Philippians might be the best people possible – morally pure before God and others, and blameless (here meaning “not causing others to stumble”) until the day of Christ, which serves as a motivation for their character and conduct (2 Cor 5:10).
We need mind transformation in order to be able to make right decisions. The choices are not always clear cut; we must consider the consequences of our actions both on ourselves and on others.

8. Petition for the Philippians’ Growth in Christ (1:9-11)
V. 11 describes what God has already done to enable the believers to live these kinds of lives.
It is word picture of an orchard, having trees laden with fruit, bearing a crop ready to be harvested.
The “fruit of righteousness” refers to conduct pleasing to God, good attitudes and works that flow from a right relationship with Him.
These are not self-generated but supernaturally produced in the lives of believers (cf. Gal 5:22-23) through Christ, to the glory and praise of the Father.

9. Implications from our Study
Thanks be to God, for He is the one who initiates, oversees, and completes our salvation at the day of Christ Jesus.
God sheds His love abroad in our hearts when we are saved, but we also grow in love that is controlled by knowledge and discernment through God’s Word and our experience of His truth.
Christ bears spiritual fruit through us as we abide in Him, to the glory and praise of the Father.

10. Next Time: Paul’s Personal Circumstances in Advancing the Gospel
Phil 1:12-26