Philippians – the letter and its themes

The book of Philippians is one of the smallest books in our New Testament with just over one hundred verses, yet this little book is rich in truth. It contains some of the most well-known portions of Scripture.  “For to me to live is Christ…” (1:21); “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (2:5); ”I press toward the mark for the prize…” (3:14); “Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice” (4:4). Many of you could no doubt finish each of these verses from memory and many other wonderful texts found in this book.

It seems that almost every great truth in Scripture touched on within these 104 verses. There are so many unique themes and characteristics that Paul brings out. For example, I love to think of Philippians as a book of accounts with each chapter bringing out a different aspect of the accounts of men, the things that they value, and their gains and losses. (i)

Another unique feature of Philippians is that sin is not mentioned in the entire book, and this must be most significant. Why do you think that is?

Here are some of the major themes that leap out at me as I read the book:

Joy or rejoicing

I count 18 times that the thought of ”joy” or “rejoicing” is mentioned, and 1 occurrence of the word “gladness” (which is the same Greek word as “joy”). What makes this theme so unusual in the book is Paul’s situation. He is a prisoner of Rome awaiting trial. He is chained to a Roman soldier and unable to preach in public. as he had once longed to do. This wasn’t how he had intended to come to Rome.

“Paul had longed to go to Rome as a preacher (Romans 1:13-16); instead, he has come as a prisoner.” (1)

Not only was Paul in prison, but some were even seeking to make this more difficult for Paul by preaching “out of contention”. Nonetheless he rejoices in Christ. Just as he once rejoiced in Christ in similar circumstances in the prison at Philippi.

The mind

Another themes is that of the mind. Paul speaks of the “mind” or being “minded” 12 times in this book. He also speaks of “thinking” 3 times, and of his remembrance of them on another occasion.The thought life of the believer is so key. A man’s thoughts will determine his attitude towards his situation.

In this book we learn about Paul’s mind - it is a mind filled with Christ. We will also learn about Christ’s mind – it was a mind of humility filled with a desire to obey His father’s will. We will learn also about the minds of men like Timothy and Epaphroditus. And finally we we will learn about your mind. Over much of the book we could write Paul’s words, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Our standing in Christ

Another notable theme is our position in Christ. We notice that every chapter begins with either of two phrases: ”in Christ” (1:1; 2:1) or “in the Lord” (3:1; 4:1). The believers position is secure in Christ and the knowledge of this brings “the peace of God” (4:7)

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself

Paul’s mind is so evidently filled with Christ as he writes. Various names and titles for the Lord are found nearly fifty times in this book – or about one occurrence for every two verses. Paul’s mind and heart are filled with Christ. This is an example for us all. Boice wrote,

“We are able to fill our minds with material things; we can also fill our minds with Christ. I have seen our daughter so preoccupied with chocolate candy that she will be led to ask for some merely by seeing something that is painted brown. In the same way, we should be so preoccupied with Christ that we see Him in everything… To be filled with Christ is the secret of real Christian living.” (2)

Fellowship

Fellowship is another theme that occurs often in this book. The word “fellowship” is used rather loosely in our day (as we noted a few months ago). What does it really mean to be in fellowship with another? Perhaps someone has a suggestion on this. I have personally found Mr. Willis’ definition helpful – “Joint Participation”. (3)

Unity

A final theme might be unity. There is relatively little preventative teaching in this book, but there is some and I find it to be around to themes:

1. There is a danger of corruption from outside the church, so Paul warns the saints about the enemies that are without (1:28-30; 3:2, 14-19) 
2. But there is also a danger of division from inside the church, so Paul exhorts the saints to have one mind and purpose (1:27; 2:1-4, 14-16; 4:2,3).

It has been my sad experience to witness both of these things, and I must say that it seems to me that the second one is every bit as dangerous as the first. The surest way to unity is to heed Paul’s words to have in each of us the mind of Christ.

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AN OUTLINE: 

There are so many wonderful ways in which this book could be outlined. (ii) Mike has given us one by Warren Wiersbe which is excellent. There are many others which would be worthy of mention as well, yet I think that my favorite is an old one by F. W. Grant which says things so clearly.

Philippians 1 – Christ as the governing principle of the Christian life
Philippians 2 – Christ in His self-humiliation as the pattern for us
Philippians 3 – Christ in glory as the Object before the soul, the goal and prize of the race.
Philippians 4 – Christ as known by experience in His competence for all the circumstances of the way.

This book of Philippians is the book of the pilgrim Christian (iii) and I know of no other book that can compare to it. It reveals to us Christ as the answer to all the great matters of life (ch.1), self (ch.2), ambition (ch.3), and circumstance (ch. 4). I look forward to these next weeks with great anticipation as we learn what means to “win Christ” (3:8)

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This article is part of the “Fridays in Philippians” series of synchroblogs.

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Footnotes:
(i) “to die is gain” (1:21); “not robbery (2:6); “gain … loss” (3:7); “your account” (4:17)(ii) Here are some other outlines of the book:

Philippians 1 – Christ the Message of our ministry
Philippians 2 – Christ the Model for our ministry
Philippians 3 – Christ the Motive for our ministry
Philippians 4 – Christ the Means of our ministry
- W. Wiersbe (4)

Philippians 1 – “The Gospel of Christ” (1:27)
Philippians 2 – “The Mind of Christ” (2:5)
Philippians 3 – “The Knowledge of Christ” (3:8)
Philippians 4 – “The Power of Christ” (4:13)
- Sydney Maxwell (5)

(iii) Two quotes on Philippians and the Pilgrim’s Path that I think are worth reading:

“This is not an epistle which soars to the height of God’s counsels, like that to the Ephesians, or which regulates the godly order which becomes Christians everywhere, like the two to the Corinthians; nor is it one which lays the foundation for the relationship of a soul with God like that to the Romans. neither was it destined to guard Christians against the errors that were creeping in among them, like some of the others which were written by our apostle. It takes the ground of the precious inner life, of the common affection of Christians towards each other … animated and directed by the Holy Spirit.” – JND (6)

“In the Epistle to the Philippians the Christian is viewed as a heavenly pilgrim, passing through this world on his way to Christ in glory. In the Apostle Paul we have an example of one who treads this heavenly path according to the mind of God. As he pursues his pilgrim way he is called to suffer bonds and imprisonment, and face the realities of life and death. He is opposed by adversaries, endures persecutions, and suffers the loss of all things. He walks through a dark world in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. He meets with sickness and sorrow. He has to contend against dogs, evil workers, and the concision. He mourns over those who seek their own things, and weeps over the enemies of the cross of Christ. At times he is faced with want and privations. Nevertheless, in spite of all difficulties, he forgets the things that are behind and reaches out to the things that are before. At every step of this path he is sustained by having in view the glorious end of the journey – the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus.”

“Moreover the epistle presents not only the pilgrim path, but also the experiences that are enjoyed by one who takes this path. Such experience is true Christian experience, though not necessarily the experience of Christians. Alas! the experience of Christians is often far below proper Christian experience… The epistle very blessedly presents the experience enjoyed by one who, in his journey through this world, lives the Christian life in its normal condition under the power of the Spirit of God. -Hamilton Smith (7)

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References:

(1) Warren Wiersbe. Be Joyful, pg. 8

(2) James Montgomery Boice. Philippians: An Expositional Commentary

(3) G. C. Willis. Sacrifices of Joy, pg. 39

(4) Warren Wiersbe. Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Commentary, pg. 778

(5) Sydney Maxwell. What the Bible Teaches: Philippians, pg. 178-182

(6) J. N. Darby, Synopsis of the books of the Bible, pg. 345

(7) Hamilton Smith, “The Epistle to the Philippians”, Scripture Truth, Volume 22, 1930

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