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Paul’s letter of joy - INTRODUCTION
Paul’s letter of joy - INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Purpose / Theme
Author
Date
Audience
Outline
PURPOSE / THEME
“To present Jesus Christ as the center of life and the source of joy.” (Bill Bright)
JOY: Mentioned 16 times in Philippians.
Paul’s gratitude and thankfulness for the Philippians.
Inform them of circumstances in Rome and why Epaphroditus had returned.
Warning of false teachers and other reminders of Christ.
AUTHOR
Paul.
Most early Christian leaders accept Paul
as author.
Nothing in the letter would have
motivated a forger to write it.
Written from prison, most likely in Rome.
DATE
A.D. 60-62.
Some experts as early as 58 and as late
as 64, but most date at 60-62.
Greek manuscript from A.D. 200.
contains three sections of the letter and
all of our current letter except 4:1-6.
AUDIENCE
The Philippians.
All Christians.
All those who read the letter.
YOU.
OUTLINE
I. Paul’s Account of His Present Circumstance
1:1-30
II. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Mind of Christ
2:1-30
III. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Knowledge of Christ
3:1-21
IV. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Peace of Christ
4:1-23
THE CITY OF PHILIPPI
Roman Colony founded in fourth century
B.C. by Philip II of Macedon (Father of
Alexander the Great)
Church founded by Paul on his second
missionary journey (First in Europe)
Place where Paul and Silas were
released from prison by the miraculous
earthquake. (Acts 16)
Church likely met in Lydia’s home.
Key Verses
Chapter 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to
die is gain.
Key Verses
Chapter 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than
yourselves.
Key Verses
Chapter 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a
loss compared to the surpassing
greatness of knowing Christ Jesus
my Lord, for whose sake I have lost
all things. I consider them
rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Key Verses
Chapter 4:13
I can do everything through Him
who gives me strength.
