Philippians 1: 1 – 11

a prayer of gratefulness 

and prayer that they continue into greater expressions of faithfulness and love

1:1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

This does not mean Timothy co-authored the letter, but is included because:

1. Timothy was with Paul when the church was founded in Philippi
2. Timothy happens to be with Paul now

Paul designates both of them as “bond servants” (doulos)

(not a title but a reference to their willing submission and service for Christ)

There was a common understanding back when this was written

that a christian was someone who recognized and lived as Christ as Lord 

(not just our “buddy who paid for our sins)

not just savior, but also master.

(today, far too many want to receive His payment for sins, but do not want His authority)

to all the saints “hagios” consecrated ones, holy ones

the people who received the call of God to come to Christ

(John 6:44)

1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

same greeting as in Philippians 1:2; Rom 1:7; Gal 1:3, 2 Cor 1:2; 1 Pet 1:2 

“grace” (GK G5921) “charis” is his favor, needed by us in countless ways and bestowed without regard to merit.  (a greek phrase from greek culture)

“Peace” (GK G1645)  Εἰρήνη  eirene  (greek work for a jewish construct for relationship between God and man

• this is not the cessation of hostilities between sinners and God (as in Ro 5:1), 
• this is the inner assurance and tranquility that God ministers to the hearts of believers and that keeps them spiritually confident and content even in the midst of turmoil (as in Phil 4:7)

for example, in John 20 Jesus appearing to His disciples who are afraid saying multiple times “peace be with you”

do not be troubled. be at ease, a state or quietness or rest

the same word used in both but the difference is the immediate context

(i.e. “peace of” or “peace with”)

The familiar blessing, “grace and peace,” combines Greek and Hebrew expressions and makes them into a unified Christian greeting.

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ Θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

(“charis umin kai eirain apo Theou patros aimoon kai  kuriou Yesou Christou”)

literally:

grace to you, and peace from God the Father of us, and also our master Yeshua (meaning Savior) the chosen One of God.

1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

• he feels connected to them though mutual service and devotion
• in light of all the hardship experienced in assoc with the philippians, this is clearly a choice to be joyful
• he indicates in verses 4-5

1:4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,

1:5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

gospel (98x)  G2098 (77x)

[Greek Strong’s]  

2098. εὐαγγέλιον euaggelion, yoo-ang-ghel´-ee-on; from the same as 2097; a good message, i.e. the gospel: — gospel.

eu = good

angelos = message

latin changed euangelos into evangelize

(which spread through europe as such)

what is the gospel ?

we must understand the mission of the Messiah (Hebrew for anointed one)

the king, descended from David who would free Israel from bondage

after the babylonian captivity, their focus became national restoration
(rather than anything spiritual)

Jesus taught a bible study about himself on the road to Emmaus with two sorry fellows

(we can look in Luke)

Luke 24:25 And then He said to them, “You foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

Luke 24:26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?”

Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.

Luke 24:28 ¶ And they approached the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther.

Luke 24:29 And so they strongly urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them.

Luke 24:30 And it came about, when He had reclined at the table with them, that He took the bread and blessed it, and He broke it and began giving it to them.

Luke 24:31 And then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.

From the great first gospel of Genesis 3:15, to the last utterance of the last of the Prophets announcing the coming of Elijah (Malachi 4:5), with special stress, doubtless, on prophecies, such as those of Psalms 16, 22, Isaiah 53

The most striking passages foretelling the character and sufferings of Christ are the following, which we may suppose it possible our Savior dwelt upon to convince them that, though he was crucified, yet he was the Christ:; ; Daniel 9:25-27; Isaiah 9:6-7; Psalm 110:1-7; Psalm 16:1-11; 22; Malachi 4:2-6.

The Scriptures which the Lord probably referred to specially were

the promise to Eve (Genesis 3:15); 

the promise to Abraham (Genesis 22:18); 

the lamb (Exodus 12.); 

the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:1-34); 

the brazen serpent (Numbers 21:8-9); 

the greater Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15); 

the star and sceptre (Numbers 24:17); 

the smitten rock (Numbers 20:11; 1 Corinthians 10:4), etc.; 

Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14); 

“Unto us a Child is born,” etc. (Isaiah 9:6, 7); 

the good Shepherd (Isaiah 40:10, 11); 

the meek Sufferer (Isaiah 50:6); 

the suffering servant (Psalm 22, Psalm 69, Isaiah 53)

the righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:14, 15); 

the Heir of David (Ezekiel 34:23); 

the Ruler from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); 

the lowly King (Zechariah 9:9); 

the pierced Victim (Zechariah 12:10); 

the smitten Shepherd (Zechariah 13:7); 

the messenger of the covenant (Malachi 3:1-3); 

the proclamation of freedom Isaiah 61

Matt. 10:35 “For I came to ^aSET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW;

Matt. 10:39 “^aHe who has found his ¹life will lose it, and he who has lost his ¹life for My sake will find it.

Matt. 16:25 “For ^awhoever wishes to save his ¹life will lose it; but whoever loses his ¹life for My sake will find it.

Mark 8:35 “For ^awhoever wishes to save his ¹life will lose it, but whoever loses his ¹life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Luke 9:24 “For ^awhoever wishes to save his ¹life will lose it, but whoever loses his ¹life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.

Luke 17:33 “^aWhoever seeks to keep his ¹life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

John 12:25 “^aHe who loves his ¹life loses it, and he who ^bhates his ¹life in this world will keep it to life eternal.

Matt. 16:24 ¶ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and ^atake up his cross and follow Me.

Mark 8:34 ¶ And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and ^atake up his cross and follow Me.

Luke 9:23 ¶ And He was saying to them all, “^aIf anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

1:7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

1:8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,

1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;

1:11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.