Commentaries
Commentaries for Philippians Chapter 1
Introductory Matters
In grammar school I was taught some rudimentary rules about writing letters: that there are basically two types (personal/friendly and business); that one (business) has an inside address, while friendly letters do not; but that both begin and end the same way (with a greeting, such as "Dear Father," and a closing, "Your son, Gordon")...
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The Greeting
In comparison with Paul's other letters, several elements of this greeting stand out: its comparative brevity, the fixed nature of the greeting proper (v...
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Prayer as Thanksgiving
In every truly Christian life the most obvious evidence of the experience of God's grace and peace is gratitude and joy (cf...
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Prayer as Petition
Since Paul's thanksgiving for his Philippian friends takes place in the context of his praying for them (vv...
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Paul's Affairs: Reflections on Imprisonment
After opening with something like "I trust this letter finds you well," letters between friends most often begin by catching the friend up on the writer's present situation...
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The Present: Paul's Imprisonment Advances the Gospel
Remarkably, Paul says little about himself personally in this opening reflection...
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The Future: For Christ's Glory and the Good of the Philippians
From reflection on the present, which is a cause for joy, Paul now turns to assess the future, which is also cause for joy...
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The Philippians' Affairs: Exhortation to Steadfastness and Unity
Nothing can frustrate the advance of the gospel more, both in a Christian community's effectiveness in their witness for Christ and in Christians' individual lives, than internal unrest among believers...
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The Appeal: In the Face of Opposition
Sometimes it is hard to say in a letter what one feels compelled to put to a close friend--like when writing to urge a ninety-one-year-old father to stop driving, for his sake and that of others...
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