Notes from R&R Teaching—June 9, 2019—Gene Slavit—Philippians 1:19-30
Different ways to study the Bible:
1. Read it and enjoy it and think about it (perhaps a paraphrase like The New
Testament in Modern English by J. B. Phillips , or The Message Bible)
2. After you read, think about the main points that God (the Author) is
making through the writer—know the context of who, where, when, how,
and why it was written. Who: new Christians; Where: at Philippi (a Roman
colony); When: the fall of 62 A.D. – 10 years after Paul first visited there –
according to The Life and Epistles of St. Paul by Conybeare and Howson);
How: carried there by Epaphroditus (see The Amplified Bible introduction
to Philippians for details); Why: to encourage believers and ministers in
Philippi, and because God told Paul to write it from prison (II Peter
1:20,21)
3. Look for practical applications on how to live the Word today. What don’t
we understand? How do other Christians understand it? What should we
study further?
4. Use linguistic and research tools. What unique words are used or repeated?
How did the original language work? How would we say it today?
Here are the four points regarding Philippians 1:19-30:
1. Read from The New Testament in Modern English by J. B. Phillips: available
at https://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPNT.htm
2. Main points in the section with key verses:
a. Joy: I do rejoice and will rejoice (verse 18); your joy (verse 25); and
given or “graced” from a Greek word related to “joy” (verse 29)
b. Boldness: parrhēsia (verse 20); not afraid (verse 28)
c. Enduring hope: Paul’s earnest expectation and hope as in Romans
8:18,19 (verse 20); return of Christ (verse 23)
3. Practical questions on how to live the truth in this letter today by verse:
1:19—what does “turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” mean? In this case, “salvation” refers to Paul getting out of prison, not eternal life. Later Paul tells the Philippians to work out their own “salvation,” meaning “wholeness.”
Did Paul get out of prison? Yes, thanks to the faithful prayers of other believers
and “the spirit of Jesus Christ” in Paul, which is the gift of holy spirit.
The Companion Bible introduction to Philippians (note 3) says that Paul was
waiting to appear before Caesar in the near future and was no longer in his own
hired house (Acts 28), but under palace guard for more rigid imprisonment.
The Life and Epistles of St. Paul in a footnote on page 725 shows how the other
epistles and Roman history clarify that Paul wrote Philippians during the end of his first imprisonment in Rome. Pages 737-783 of that same book show from the Epistles to Timothy and Titus that: Paul stood trial on appeal; was acquitted (so Paul DID get out of prison after writing Philippians); later traveled to Asia Minor (including Ephesus), Crete, and possibly Spain; was imprisoned in Rome a second time; was condemned and executed.
1:20—what does “Christ shall be magnified in my body…by death” mean? Paul
knew that death was an enemy (I Corinthians 15:26). We all will die unless Christ returns before that time. Let’s “go out with all we have to give.” I want to live to be 100, but we will see. We take it one day at a time.
1:21— what does “to die is gain” mean? The return of Christ is a pleasant hope.
We have eternal life and the hope of future rewards. Paul went through a lot (read II Corinthians 11:23-33). On our website freedomlifelight.com, in a blog called “Escape Artists” is a chart with 25 attempts on Paul’s life from Book of Acts alone. We stand against the adversary and God protects us with His power and grace. But when the time is right to say “it is finished,” we can be thankful at that time the Father will say we are His beloved children in whom He is well pleased.
1:22— what does “what I shall choose I wot not” mean? We don’t always know
the future. At times on Guam we prayed and typhoons turned around; at other
times, we knew to “hunker down” and prepare for the storm. We pray the best we can, and see what the Father has us do. He knows best and helps us.
1:27— what does “let your conversation be” mean in their culture? As a Roman
colony, Philippi had rights and privileges of citizenship. Paul was a freeborn
Roman citizen being from Tarsus, a prized honor and protection. The Philippians were to be “citizens” balanced by the good news of the Mystery. Their greatest trust was not in Rome’s power, but in being citizens under God’s authority.
What does “whether I come and see you, or else be absent” mean? They were to
have their “citizenship” balanced to the good news of the Mystery, even when Paul wasn’t there “watching” them. We are to please God, not men. The Philippians obeyed God’s Word not only in Paul’s presence, but much more in his absence (2:12). They were faithful to the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
1:28—how can we be “in nothing terrified by your adversaries”? The word
“terrified” means to be scared, like horses who are scared when a serpent is at their feet. The adversary as a roaring lion tries to frighten us, but we keep running ahead and trample him under our feet (Romans 16:20).
1:29—are we “to suffer” for Christ’s sake? Yes, we endure the attacks of the
adversary as we love God, serve our Lord Jesus Christ, and minister to others. We endure because we remember the glory to come. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).
4. Using linguistic and research tools: some common words in this section:
GOALS: The Greek word eis is often translated “unto” and shows an ultimate
goal. What goals did Paul and the Philippians have?
1:5—fellowship UNTO THE GOOD NEWS
1:10—UNTO THE DAY OF CHRIST
1:11—UNTO GLORY and praise OF GOD
1:12—UNTO the ADVANCEMENT of THE GOOD NEWS
1:17—UNTO the defense of THE GOOD NEWS
1:19—UNTO my salvation (from prison)
1:25—UNTO your ADVANCEMENT and joy of faith
1:29—believe UNTO Christ (salvation)
2:11—UNTO GLORY OF GOD the Father
2:16—UNTO boasting UNTO THE DAY OF CHRIST (not UNTO empty
running or UNTO empty labor)
2:22—Timothy served UNTO THE GOOD NEWS
3:11—UNTO THE OUT-RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD (DAY OF
CHRIST)
3:16—UNTO what we have ANTICIPATED (the prize of the high calling of
God in verse 14)
4:15-17—UNTO giving and receiving; UNTO my necessity; UNTO your account
4:20—TO GOD be GLORY UNTO THE AGES
CONTRASTS, CHOICES, POSSIBILITIES: The Greek words men/de are often
translated “on the one hand/on the other hand”; The Greek words eite/eite are often translated “either/or” in the New Testament. They show contrasts, choices, and possibilities. What did Paul contrast? What choices needed to be made? What were possibilities and not sure things?
1:15—ON THE ONE HAND certain through ENVY AND STRIFE/ON THE
OTHER HAND certain through WELL PLEASING
Verses 16,17: ON THE ONE HAND those out of FACTIONS/ON THE OTHER
HAND those who—LOVE
Verse 18: WHETHER hidden by a CLOAK/WHETHER in TRUTH
Verse 20: WHETHER through LIFE/WHETHER through DEATH
Verse 27: WHETHER I COME/WHETHER I AM ABSENT
CHRIST (Greek word, Christos) is the central subject of Paul’s epistle.
1: servants of Jesus Christ
2: Grace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
6: the day of Jesus Christ
8: the bowels (compassionate mercy) of Jesus Christ
10: the day of Christ
11: fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ
13: my bonds in Christ
15: preach Christ
16: preach Christ
18: Christ is preached
19: spirit of Jesus Christ
20: Christ shall be magnified in my body
21: to me to live is Christ
23: to depart, and to be with Christ
26: your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ
27: the gospel of Christ
29: in the behalf of Christ