Epistle to the Philippians

Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:1-5, Greeting and Prayer • Phil 1:1,2 – NKJV “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” • Paul, with Silas and Timothy, planted the Gospel there (Acts 16:12) in Paul’s second missionary journey in A.D. 51. • Of the two, Paul is older, more seasoned, & author of the epistle • So why is Timothy included here? • Because he was with him when he first preached at Philippi • And so was known unto the Philippians, and respected by them • And because Paul was about to send Timothy to them again – Phil 2:19 • And to let them see, that there was a continued agreement between the two of them in affection and doctrine. • Both are identified as bondservants 1 Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel

Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:1-5, Greeting and Prayer • bondservant - one who gives himself up to another's will • Can we identify with this? • to all of the saints who are in Philippi • saints – set apart ones • Position or condition here? • It is not “to the church” as in the letters to the Corinthians or the Thessalonians, but to “all the saints.” • Thus, more directed to the believer himself rather than to the body? • Perhaps reflects the purpose of the epistle? • Joy and encouragement • with the bishops and deacons • bishop or episkopos - an overseer or presbyter 2 Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel

Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:1-5, Greeting and Prayer • a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly (curator, guardian or superintendent) • In the body of Christ, an elder, overseer or bishop • Act 20:17 ‘And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.’ • Act 20:28 ‘Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.’ • I Tim 3:2 ‘A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;’ • deacon or diakonos – one who executes • the commands of another, i.e. of a master • a servant, attendant, minister 3 Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel

Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:1-5, Greeting and Prayer • John 12:26 ‘If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him [My] Father will honor.’ • With the apostles now dead or far away (Paul long in prison), the elders and deacons needed to step up and be serve their roles in the local body. • JFB – ‘The Spirit thus intimated that the churches were to look up to their own pastors, now that the miraculous gifts were passing into God’s ordinary providence, and the presence of the inspired apostles, the dispensers of those gifts, was to be withdrawn.’ • In Philippi there was a plurality of both elders and deacons in the church. • Today the ‘pastor’ or ‘senior pastor’ • Pastor is a term not used in the Bible 4 Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel

Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:1-5, Greeting and Prayer • Phil 1:2 “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” • Why is this the same phrase, almost word for word, in all of Paul’s epistles? • Phil 3:3-4 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,” • Really every remembrance of yours • Perhaps referring to their kind/generous attention to Paul? • in supplying his wants and needs? • prayer or deesis – refers to requests • Let’s look at Paul’s prayer. • What aspects of Paul’s prayer are noteworthy here? 5 Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel

Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:1-5, Greeting and Prayer • always – does that reflect the Philippian body or the frequency/consistency of Paul’s prayer? • in every prayer of mine for you all • Don't we often say this too? • Note the encouragement here! • Remember, as stated in Acts 16, the principle outcome from all of the work in Philippi is progress (growth) through conflict. • The progress characterizes that despite the conflict they are joyful and lifted up. • And Paul’s request for the body is made with joy! • And remember, at Philippi both Paul and Silas were beaten, put into prison and then into stocks. • Yet, Paul remembers Philippi with joy. • Joy used 16 times in Philippians 6 Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel

Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:1-5, Greeting and Prayer • Paul looked upon his sufferings In Christ as God’s glory manifested. • How do we pray for others when we pray? • Does it begin with grace, thanksgiving and joy as Paul’s does here? • And it’s for your fellowship in the gospel • Jude 1:3 ‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.’ • Fellowship is viewed three ways in Philippians • With Christ, which was revealed in suffering (Phil 1:29). • With one another, which was revealed in unity (Phil 2:1-11). • With Paul, which was revealed in financial giving (Phil4:16). • What does this fellowship in the gospel look like? • koinōnia - intercourse, intimacy 7 Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel

Epistle to the Philippians Phil 1:1-5, Greeting and Prayer • The gospel is good news, a simple message of God’s great Grace; • so this must be where fellowship starts. • But for the believer, why at times does this not occur? • Gal 1:9 ‘As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.’ • When this barrier ensues, what is our response? • from the first day until now,” • Which first day is this? • Does this relate to the furtherance of the gospel? • Phil 1:6 - next week – wow! 8 Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel

Epistle to the Philippians