It's likely that the first time the Gospel was preached in all of Europe, it was done by Paul in Philippi. As you’ll soon discover, it turned out to be quite an interesting trip (see Acts 16). After being “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,” Paul and his entourage arrived in Philippi to convert Lydia, managed to get arrested for casting out demons, and subsequently converted their jailer after an earthquake flung open the doors to the prison cells. These events, coordinated by a protecting God, were responsible for the birth of the European church. And it was to this church that Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians.
About the Book
“Biblical literacy is neither a current reality nor a goal in the U.S.”
– Barna Goup
One could argue that a large reason for this is because deep theological Bible study tools are out of reach and/or comprehension of the average Bible reader. Most technical commentaries can be difficult to use, understand, and apply to our daily lives. At the same time, much of our understanding of Bible principles comes when we discuss its ideas in community with others, usually in church small groups.
This commentary is different from most commentaries in that it is not a deep, theological study into the Biblical text. Rather, it is a more practical, real-world, everyday discussion on how this text applies to our lives … written by regular people.
This “community commentary” was compiled the same way you would use it!
It was developed through an online group study on the epistle, in which we worked through the entire book one passage at a time. Bloggers and writers from various backgrounds led us through the discussion as if we were sitting in someone’s living room together talking through this amazing piece of Scripture.
In this book, we’ve pulled together these posts and enhanced them with some Greek and English keyword studies. These are designed to help you get the most out of reading Paul’s letter to the church of the Philippians.
Warning: Only read this if you’re serious about your spiritual growth!
It’s likely that the first time the Gospel was preached in all of Europe, it was done by Paul in Philippi. As you’ll soon discover, it turned out to be quite an interesting trip (see Acts 16)…
After being “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,” Paul and his entourage arrived in Philippi to convert Lydia, managed to get arrested for casting out demons, and subsequently converted their jailer after an earthquake flung open the doors to the prison cells. These events, coordinated by a protecting God, were responsible for the birth of the European church.
And it was to this church that Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians.
Table of Contents
foreword
the historical context for paul’s letter to the philippians
philippians 1:1-11 [greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer]
Greek Word Study: Εὐχαριστῶ (eucharistō)
English Word Study: pray
philippians 1:12-18a [the advance of the gospel]
Greek Word Study: προκοπὴν (prokopēn)
English Word Study: courage
philippians 1:18b-30 [to live is Christ]
Greek Word Study: ζῇν (zēn)
English Word Study: worthy
philippians 2:1-11 [Christ’s example of humility]
Greek Word Study: ἐκένωσεν (ekenōsen)
English Word Study: bond-servant
philippians 2:12-18 [lights in the world]
Greek Word Study: φωστῆρες (phōstēres)
English Word Study: fear
philippians 2:19-30 [timothy and epaphroditus]
Greek Word Study: ἰσόψυχον (isopsychon)
English Word Study: receive
philippians 3:1-11 [righteousness through faith in Christ]
Greek Word Study: σκύβαλα (skybala)
English Word Study: confidence
philippians 3:12-21 [straining toward the goal]
Greek Word Study: μετασχηματίσει (metaschēmatisei)
English Word Study: goal
philippians 4:1-9 [exhortation, encouragement, and prayer]
Greek Word Study: εἰρήνη (eirēnē)
English Word Study: rejoice
philippians 4:10-20 [God’s provision]
Greek Word Study: ἐνδυναμοῦντί (endynamounti)
English Word Study: content
philippians 4:21-23 [final greetings]
Greek Word Study: ἅγιον (hagion)
English Word Study: spirit
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