Exposition of Philippians

1
Exposition of Philippians

• Advance of the Gospel Despite Opposition
• Phil 112-18

2
Rome and Philippi
3
Outline of Philippians

• Salutation (11-2)
• Pauls Prayer for the Philippians (13-11)
• Thanksgiving for the Philippians Participation
  in the Gospel (13-8)
• Petition for the Philippians Growth in Christ
  (19-11)
• Paul's Personal Circumstances in Advancing the
  Gospel (112-26)
• Advance of the Gospel Despite Opposition
  (112-18)
• Pauls Confidence that Christ will be Exalted,
  Either by Life or Death (119-26)

4
Pauls Imprisonment has Furthered the Gospel
(112-14)...

• After his prayer for the Philippians, Paul
  provides an update on how his imprisonment had
  actually advanced the cause of the gospel (v.
  12), in two ways to two groups
• Outsiders The reason for his imprisonment, i.e.
  his proclamation of Christ, had become known to
  the whole praetorium (i.e. the soldiers who
  guarded Paul) and to others (v.13).
• Believers Brethren in Christ, strengthened in
  their faith by Pauls example, were emboldened to
  proclaim Christ (v. 14).

5
...Though Not All of the Preachers Motives Were
Pure (115-17)

• Of these who were proclaiming Christ, they were
  two groups with two different motives (v.15)
• Rivals of Paul who sought to take advantage of
  his imprisonment, preached out of envy and
  rivalry (vv. 15, 17).
• Disagreement over the precise identity of these
  rivals.
• Others, supporters of Paul and exercising good
  will towards him, preached Christ out of love for
  both Paul and Christ. They recognized that Paul
  had been appointed by God for the ministry he was
  carrying out (vv. 15, 16).

6
Paul Rejoices in All Proclamation of Christ (118)

• Pauls joy is not diminished by those who wish to
  trouble him.
• His perspective is such that he rejoices that
  Christ is being proclaimed, regardless of the
  motives of the preachers. The focus is on his
  mission rather than himself.
• He both rejoices (present tense) and will
  rejoice (future tense), emphasizing that this is
  a continual state of mind for him, regardless of
  his circumstances.

7
Implications from our Study

• The Lord will ensure that His gospel is
  spread...sometimes in ways that go against our
  thinking.
• Gods gospel is powerful to save, even through
  messengers with mixed motives.
• With the Apostle Paul, we too rejoice that Christ
  continues to be preached and continues to draw
  His own to Himself...our perspective and mindset
  should imitate that of the Apostle Paul.

8
Next Time Pauls Confidence that Christ will be
Exalted, Either by Life or Death

• Phil 119-26