Philippians - Exposition by Dina Gnana Rupa

Why Apostle Paul wrote Philippians & How he structures and develops his letter?

Apostle Paul wrote Philippians to encourage the church in Philippi in order for them:

1) To Continue their partnership in the gospel with him

• by mentioning how his prayers are filled with thanksgiving and joy because of their partnership
• by expressing his confidence in God who will finish the good work that he has began in them
• by expressing how Paul carries them in his heart and longs for them with the affections of Christ
• by mentioning how they all share in God's grace with the apostle

2) To Be pure and blameless until the day of Christ and being filled with righteousness that comes through Christ

• by mention of his prayers that their love will abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that they can discern what is best
• by exhorting them to do everything without complaining or arguing

3) To Rejoice in the progress of the gospel

• by stating how in spite of his chains, many have began to preach Christ, some from false motives even and other fearlessly and more courageously in love
• by challenging their thought in saying how Paul chose to have Christ exalted in his body by life or death
• by sharing his hope of being delivered from his chains and continuing with them for their progress and joy in the faith

4) To Conduct themselves worthy of the gospel of Christ

• by reminding them that they are called to not only believe on Christ, but also to suffer for him
• by exhorting them to stand firm as one man for the faith of the gospel not being frightened in any way of opposition

5) To Have like mindedness and being of one spirit and purpose

• by exhortation against doing anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, instead considering others over themselves
• by mentioning the attitude of Christ concerning the father's purposes
• by reminding that it is God who works in them to will and to act according to His good purpose
• by mentioning of the attitude of Timothy, Epaphroditus, who followed the example of the Lord in the work of the gospel
• by getting over their disagreements
• by mentioning his love for them in Christ

6) To Joyfulness and rejoicing

• by mentioning how he himself is rejoicing inspite of his chains, thinking of them and the fruitfulness of his labor concerning them
• by reminding them that the Lord is near

7) To Stand firm in the Lord

• by listening to the warnings about those who put confidence in the flesh (sense of worthiness from our capabilities, experience, skills), instead of worship by spirit of God and glorifying in Jesus
• by mentioning his own living with Christ and his attitude towards everything that once seemed profitable
• by reminding them of the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ the Lord and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing with his sufferings and the hope of attaining to the resurrection from the dead
• by setting their mind on taking hold of that for which Christ has took hold of us
• by warning of the possibility of living as enemies of the cross of Christ
• by helping them to refocus their thoughts on what is pure, noble, right, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy
• by not being anxious about anything, but praying about everything
• by encouraging them to practice whatever they have learned or seen in Paul

-- Authored by Dina Gnana Rupa