1. Exposition of Philippians
Paul’s Confidence that Christ will be Exalted
Phil 1:19-26

2. 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)
Paul's Personal Circumstances in Advancing the Gospel (1:12-26)
Advance of the Gospel Despite Opposition (1:12-18)
Paul’s Confidence that Christ will be Exalted, Either by Life or Death (1:19-26)

3. The Basis of Paul’s Joy (1:19-20)
At the end of 1:18, Paul rejoices that, whether in pretense or in truth, whether by friend or rival, Christ was being proclaimed.
He also will rejoice, knowing that all that he has been through will turn out for his “salvation” through the Philippians’ prayers and the assistance of the spirit of Jesus Christ.
He has great confidence in God that he will be vindicated and not shamed. His overarching concern is that Christ be magnified, whether:
through his ongoing life as a minister of the gospel, or
through his death for the cause of Christ, faithful to the end.
Not shamed before men or God. Passive voice of “be magnified” implies his dependence on the spirit of Christ to accomplish this.

4. The Hard Choice Between Two Alternatives (1:21-24)
For Paul, all of life was about devotion and service to Christ.
Ironically, that devotion brought such hardship, stress, and suffering that Paul viewed death as “gain” or “advantage,” knowing that death would bring him immediately into Christ’s presence.
He considers the two alternatives:
to depart and be with Christ – “very much better” for Paul.
to remain on in the flesh – “more necessary” for the Philippians.
Paul’s difficulties are spelled out in 2 Cor 11: He can’t choose because it is not his place to choose. God determines Paul’s days and ours. Paul cannot make tell his choice between these two.

5. The More Likely Result (1:25-26)
Convinced that the Lord will do what is best for the Philippians, Paul believes he will remain alive for the purpose of advancing their progress and increasing their joy in the faith, eventually even coming to them again.
He will thus serve as an agent for the abounding of their boasting in Christ.
Evidence from the pastoral Epistles, confirmed by considerable early historical testimony, indicates that Paul was released from this first Roman imprisonment and had opportunity for travel, including a trip through Macedonia (and presumably Philippi), before being re-imprisoned and suffering a martyr's death.

6. Implications from our Study
Because we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, we need not fear death...which in turn changes the way we look at life.
Like Paul, our life should be marked by devotion to Christ in all things, whatever the consequences.
Both of the above, along with the confidence that the Lord controls all of our circumstances, are keys in possessing the same joy that Paul had.

7. The Need to Contend as One Phil 1:27-30
Next Time: Paul's Exhortation to the Philippians to Walk Worthy of the Gospel (1:27 – 4:1)
The Need to Contend as One
Phil 1:27-30