Finding Joy in Jesus: A Philippians Bible Study

Questions to Ask

• What does this chapter mean?
• What is the surrounding context?
• How can I apply this into my daily life?

Philippians was written by Paul and was addressed to the Philippian church. He begins with praise and thanksgiving in the first chapter of Philippians (Philippians 1:3-6). He reminds the Philippians by his prayer that their “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9b-11). From Paul’s prayer for the Philippians church, he urges them to keep their love abounding, to grow more in knowledge and insight, and to be able to discern the best thing to do.

Paul also informs the Philippians that he was in chains for the Gospel (Philippians 1:12-14). In other words, Paul was in prison because of preaching the Gospel. Rather than seeing it as a bad thing, Paul recognizes how being in chains for Christ has advanced the Gospel. There were other people preaching the Gospel; however, some were preaching Christ for the wrong reasons. Despite this, Paul rejoices because the Gospel is being shared (Philippians 1:15-18).

Paul states he will continue to rejoice because through the power of the Holy Spirit, he knew he would have courage to continue to share the Gospel with others despite the persecutions that would await him (Philippians 1:19-20). Whether Paul lived or died, he knew he had lasting peace in Christ. To live was to live for Christ, and to die was gain (Philippians 1:21). Paul was aware that staying alive meant continued hard work for the Gospel, yet dying meant going to be with the Lord.

He was torn between the two; however, he decides to stay because he knows it is more beneficial for him to continue to preach the Gospel (Philippians 1:22-26). This chapter ends with Paul encouraging the Philippians to live in accordance with the Gospel (Philippians 1:27-28). Not only have all Christians been called to live for Christ, but all Christians have also been called to suffer for Christ (Philippians 1:29-30). Paul faced suffering for Christ throughout his ministry, and we should expect the same. 

1. What Does the Chapter Say?: Philippians 1 covers many great topics, including how Paul is not defeated despite being in chains for Christ, his devotion to the Gospel, and that whether he lived or died, he would serve Christ. Paul was torn between the idea of remaining with the believers and departing to be with Christ. To be with Christ would be greater by far; however, he knew it was more beneficial to the believers for him to stay. Being assured of this, he remains with the believers to help bring them up in the Lord.  
2. What Is the Surrounding Context?: The surrounding context of Philippians 1, as well as the other chapters of Philippians, is that Paul is in prison. He was placed into prison because he was preaching the Gospel. Being in prison would dishearten many people, yet Paul rejoices because the Gospel is being advanced. Another aspect of the surrounding context of Philippians 1 is that Paul knew his death was coming, but he wasn't going to be returning to the Lord just yet. Philippians is not his final letter as 2 Timothy is Paul’s final letter before his death. 
3. How Can I Apply This in My Life?: You can apply Philippians 1 into your life by being faithful to sharing the Gospel just as Paul was. Paul was under intense persecution, but he continued to share the message of Jesus. We, too, need to share the Gospel in order for more people to hear the message of Jesus Christ. While many people in America are not persecuted for their faith or imprisoned, there are many believers across the world who are treated the same way Paul was treated in New Testament times. No matter where we are located, the calling to share Christ is strongly given to us in this first chapter of Philippians. 

Questions to Ask

• What does this chapter mean?
• What is the surrounding context?
• How can I apply this into my daily life

Philippians 2 discusses the important topic of imitating Christ’s humility. Paul tells the Philippian church that if they have any encouragement from being united with Christ, any comfort from his love, any common sharing in the Holy Spirit, any tenderness and compassion, then we should be like-minded and have the same love as well as being of one spirit and one mind (Philippians 2:2:1-2). Never should we do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (Philippians 2:3). Instead, we need to look to others' interests instead of our own and value their needs above our own (Philippians 2:4).

In everything, Paul tells us we need to have the same mindset of Jesus (Philippians 2:5). Jesus is God in the flesh, yet He took on the form of a servant and lowered Himself in order to bring sinful mankind into glory (Philippians 2:6-8). The Lord died on the cross for the purpose of saving us from our sins. He did this out of the love He has for us and the desire to have a relationship with Him. Since the Lord did this for us and died the death we deserved, the Father exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11).

Reminding us to reflect Christ and to glorify Him in our actions, Paul urges us to do everything without arguing or grumbling (Philippians 2:14). If we do this, we will shine like stars in the sky and bring glory to God’s Name (Philippians 2:15-16). While Paul was talking directly to the believers in the Philippian church, it still applies to us today. By following Paul’s directions here, we will be living in obedience to God and ensure others see Him in our actions.

Paul closes this second chapter of Philippians by telling the Philippians that he hoped to send Timothy to them soon as a source of encouragement (Philippians 2:19). He shares that Timothy looks out for the interest of Christ, not his own (Philippians 2:20-21). Timothy has served with Paul as a son and faithfully kept to the faith as well as the lessons Paul taught him (Philippians 2:22-23). Paul also says he is going to send Epaphroditus to them because of the help he received from Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30). He tells them to welcome Epaphroditus with joy and thanksgiving (Philippians 2:29-30). 

1. What Does the Chapter Say?: This chapter discusses Christ’s humility and how He lowered Himself in order to save us. Jesus is God in the flesh, which is how He was able to redeem us from our sins. The Lord is above all of us, yet He lowered Himself to take on the nature of a servant. He did this to save us from our sins, give us redemption, and give us eternal life. Since this is true, we need to follow Jesus’ example and to place others' interests above our own. Never should we look to our own interest, but to the interest of others. In this way, we will be following Jesus’ example. 
2. What Is the Surrounding Context? The surrounding context of Philippians 2 is that this chapter contains the kenosis passage (Philippians 2:6-11). This passage is about how Jesus took on the form of a servant by taking on human flesh. Never did He lose His divine nature. He was fully God and fully man. There are many different views surrounding this; however, the only view that agrees with the Bible is that Jesus is fully God and fully man. Never did He lose His divinity, and never was He emptied of His humanity. He understood all of the pains of being a human being, such as being hungry, thirsty, and tired. Throughout His entire ministry, Jesus was fully God and fully man, which is known as the hypostatic union. 
3. How Can I Apply This in My Life? You can apply the lessons of Philippians 2 by doing nothing out of grumbling or anger. This means resolving conflicts quickly and bringing your concerns to the Lord. When you do everything without grumbling or finding fault, you will shine like the stars in the sky. You can also apply the lessons of Philippians 2 in your life by placing others’ interests above your own. Never should you see yourself as being more important than others. Just as the Lord humbled Himself, we, too, need to follow His example. 

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Questions to Ask

• What does this chapter mean?
• What is the surrounding context?
• How can I apply this into my daily life?

Philippians 3 discusses the topic of having no confidence in the flesh, but to rather have full confidence in the Lord. Many of the people present were placing their confidence in their flesh. In other words, they were placing faith in their lineage or because they were circumcised (Philippians 3:1-4). Paul speaks directly to those who are trying to place faith in their flesh rather than Christ. He says he was circumcised on the eighth day, was of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, and a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5). Despite having all of this criteria of “righteousness,” Paul says it means nothing (Philippians 3:7-11). 

Whatever was to his profit, he considers it a loss for the sake of Jesus (Philippians 3:7). Nothing about a person’s lineage or past identity says whether a person deserves salvation. All people can place faith in Christ despite their background, social status, or lineage. Paul had many things to boast about, yet he considers all of these things garbage because they are nothing compared to Christ (Philippians 3:8-9). He isn’t seeking out a righteousness of his own, but to be found in the righteousness of Christ (Philippians 3:9).

Paul says he has not yet taken hold of this righteousness, but that he is pressing on toward the prize that Christ has for him (Philippians 3:12-14). This prize is found in Heaven and it is something Paul was pressing toward his entire life. Forgetting what is behind and moving toward what is ahead kept Paul focused on the mission to share Christ with all people. He encourages the Philippians to do the same and to follow his example of serving Christ (Philippians 3:15-17). All believers' citizenship is in Heaven and we eagerly wait for our Savior to come, who will transform our present bodies into our glorified bodies (Philippians 2:20-21). 

1. What Does the Chapter Say?: Philippians 3 tells us that we should place no confidence in our flesh. Instead, we need to place confidence in the Lord. We cannot obtain salvation or righteousness on our own. It is only through placing faith in Jesus that we are given salvation and declared righteous before the Father. This chapter also tells us that we should consider everything a loss compared to knowing Jesus. We might have prominence in our earthly lives, but we should see this as nothing compared to Christ. This chapter closes by telling us that our citizenship is in Heaven, and we can eagerly await this day with a hopeful heart. 
2. What Is the Surrounding Context?: The surrounding context of this chapter is that there were many who opposed Paul’s message. Instead of understanding salvation and righteousness comes from the Lord, they were trying to place confidence in their flesh. There were many people who were living as enemies of the cross (Philippians 3:18). These individuals' destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, they glory in their shame, and they set their minds on things of the world (Philippians 3:19). Through these opposers, they were trying to oppress Paul’s message. 
3. How Can I Apply This in My Life?: You can apply the lessons of Philippians 3 in your life by placing no confidence in your flesh. All of your confidence needs to be placed in Christ. Salvation is only found in Jesus, and we are only declared righteous when we place faith in Jesus. We also can apply the teachings of Philippians 3 in our life by considering everything as nothing compared to Jesus. Whatever might seem important to us is nothing compared to the Lord. Lastly, we can have hope by resting in the sure promise that our citizenship is in Heaven and one day our lowly bodies will be transformed into our glorified bodies. 

Questions to Ask

• What does this chapter mean?
• What is the surrounding context?
• How can I apply this into my daily life?

Philippians 4 is the final chapter of this epistle and it covers the topics of having steadfastness and unity, the need to rejoice always, and Paul giving thanks for the gifts the Philppians gave him. There were two people in the church who were disagreeing with each other. Paul urges both Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord (Philippians 4:2-3). He wants all believers to be of one mind in the Lord. There doesn't need to be factions and discord among believers. Instead, there needs to be unity, peace, and love. 

This epistle is known as the epistle of joy because of this chapter. Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). They were to let their gentleness be evident to everyone because the Lord is near (Philippians 4:5). They also didn't need to be anxious about anything because through prayer and petition, they would let their worries be known to the Lord (Philippians 4:6). Through presenting their requests to God, giving their worries over to Him, and praising Him with thanksgiving, their hearts and minds would be guarded in the Lord (Philippians 4:7).

Also, Paul tells the Philippians to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). In everything that they had seen or heard from him, they were also to put it into practice and the Lord would be with them (Philippians 4:9). In other words, the lessons that Paul had taught them and his way of life was a model for them to follow in order to better follow Jesus Christ. 

Whether Paul was living in plenty or in want, he had everything he needed because of Jesus (Philippians 4:10-13). Jesus was the One who gave him strength. The Philippian church had gifted him with provisions to be able travel and they also gave financially. Paul thanks them for this blessing, yet he also reminds them that we can live in plenty because we have Jesus even if materially wise, we don't have much. Paul closes this epistle with greeting God's people and asking for the grace of the Lord Jesus to be on the people (Philippians 4:21-23).

1. What Does the Chapter Say?: This chapter of Philippians tells us that we need to rejoice always, think on things that are good, and to know that we have an abundant life in Jesus. Paul knew what it was like to live in plenty and in want. Rather if he was living in plenty or in want, he could do all things through Christ. He learned contentment because He was content in the Lord. Material things do not last forever, but our relationship with Jesus endures for all eternity. 
2. What Is the Surrounding Context?: The surrounding context of this chapter is that the Philippian church had graciously given to Paul on many occasions. They gave spiritually in the sense of praying for him as well as giving him provisions for his journey to share the Gospel. The Philippian church did not complain about giving to Paul's missionary endeavors, but rather they were more than happy to help. Paul was highlighting this truth when he thanked them for gifting him. 
3. How Can I Apply This in My Life?: You can apply Philippians 4 in your life by agreeing with other believers in the Lord, thinking on things that are positive, rejoicing always, and knowing that you can do all things through Christ. Many people misuse Philippians 4:13 to refer to sports or athletic success. As we can see by reading the passage, this is not what Paul is referring to. Rather, Paul is saying he can do all things because of Jesus, who strengthens him. This is not Paul's own strength–this is Jesus' strength. Whenever you are feeling overwhelmed, lean on Jesus and know you can do all things through Him.

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