Survey of Book Of Philippians

SURVEY OF PHILIPPIANS
REJOICE IN THE LORD
The Book of Philippians is often called the “Epistle of Joy.” Written by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome, it serves as a powerful thank-you note and a manual on how to maintain a heavenly perspective despite earthly trials.

Quick Overview

Key Word: Rejoice (or Joy)
Key Verse: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
Theme: The theology of Christian experience—finding joy and contentment through a mind centered on Christ.

Outline of Chapters (KJV)

The book is naturally divided by the specific “mindset” Paul encourages in each chapter:

Chapter 1: The Single Mind (Christ our Life)

1:1–11: Paul’s prayer and thanksgiving for the Philippian believers.
1:12–20: Paul’s perspective on his imprisonment (it furthered the Gospel).
1:21–30: The struggle between life and death: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Chapter 2: The Submissive Mind (Christ our Pattern)

2:1–11: The Kenosis (emptying) of Christ; His humility and subsequent exaltation.
2:12–18: Working out salvation with fear and trembling.
2:19–30: The examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Chapter 3: The Spiritual Mind (Christ our Goal)

3:1–11: Warning against legalism; counting all things loss for Christ.
3:12–16: Pressing toward the mark of the high calling.
3:17–21: Our heavenly citizenship.

Chapter 4: The Secure Mind (Christ our Strength)

4:1–9: Exhortations to peace, prayer, and right thinking.
4:10–19: The secret of contentment and God’s provision.
4:20–23: Final greetings.

Manifestation of the Person and Work of Christ

Philippians contains one of the most profound Christological passages in the entire Bible (the Carmen Christi in chapter 2).

His Pre-existence and Deity: He was “in the form of God” and equal with God (2:6).
His Humanity and Humility: He “made himself of no reputation,” took the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (2:7).
His Obedience and Sacrifice: He became “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (2:8).
His Exaltation: God has highly exalted Him, giving Him a name above every name, where every knee shall bow (2:9–11).
His Sustaining Power: He is the one who “shall change our vile body” to be fashioned like His glorious body (3:21) and the source of our strength (4:13).

5 Meditative Questions

Perspective: If my current difficult circumstances are “furthering the Gospel” (1:12), does that change how I pray for them to end?
Humility: Am I looking only on my own things, or am I truly looking on the things of others with the “mind of Christ” (2:4–5)?
Value: What “gains” in my life am I still holding onto that I should actually “count as loss” in order to know Christ more deeply (3:7–8)?
Focus: If my mind is a filter, how much of my daily thought life passes the test of being “true, honest, just, pure, and lovely” (4:8)?
Contentment: Is my peace dependent on my bank account and comfort, or have I truly learned the “secret” of being content in every state (4:11–12)?

Categories: Our Meditations