Colossians / Philemon Review:
• What are some things we learn about Jesus
Christ in Colossians? (especially in ch. 1)
• What does our position in Christ have to do
with the way we live? (see ch. 3)
• How is Colossians 4:1 developed further in
Philemon?
PHILIPPIANS
Favorite verses in
Philippians?
When and where
did Paul write
Philippians?
• Philippians was definitely a prison epistle.
– “my imprisonment” (1:14)
– “I am put here for the defense of the gospel”
(1:16)
• Philippians was almost certainly written from
Rome.
– “throughout the whole imperial guard” (1:13)
– “All the saints greet you, especially those of
Caesar’s house.” (4:22)
• When he wrote Philippians, it seems like Paul
expected his imprisonment to be over shortly.
– See 1:19-26
• So it seems like he wrote it near the end of his
time in prison in Rome, placing it at about 6162 AD. It was probably the last of the prison
epistles, written after Ephesians, Colossians,
and Philemon.
Reflection: On the
Prison Epistles
Who did Paul write
Philippians to?
• Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, and
especially to its leaders (1:1)
• This was one of Paul’s favorite churches,
because of the longstanding partnership they
had. (1:3-5, 4:15)
• The church was founded through Paul’s
ministry (Acts 16). He visited the city two
more times prior to writing Philippians (
Why did Paul write
Philippians?
Several Reasons:
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To thank them for their gift (4:10-18)
To send Epaphroditus back to them (2:25-30)
To update them about his condition (1:12-26)
To encourage unity (2:1-2, 4:2)
To warn against false teachers (3:1-4:1)
What did Paul
write about in
Philippians?
Outline:
1.Greetings (1:1-11)
2.Paul’s Circumstances (1:12-26)
3.Exhortations (1:27-2:18)
A. Stand firm (1:27-30)
B. Be unified (2:1-4)
C. Follow Christ’s example (2:5-11)
D. Be lights in the darkness (2:12-18)
4.Companions (2:19-30)
A. Timothy (2:19-24)
B. Epaphroditus (2:25-30)
Outline:
5. Warnings (3:1-4:1)
A. Against self-righteousness (3:1-17)
B. Against unrighteousness (3:17-4:1)
6. Exhortations (4:2-9)
A. For unity (4:2-3)
B. For right living (4:4-9)
7. Closing Remarks (4:10-23)
A. Thank you (4:10-20)
B. Farewell (4:21-23)
What are some key
concepts in
Philippians?
Joy / Rejoicing:
• These words are used 13 times in
Philippians.
Christ’s Incarnation
and Glorification:
•Philippians 2:5-11
•What does it mean that Christ
“emptied himself”?
•What was the name God gave to
Christ?
Tips for reading…
Read slowly
Read prayerfully
Read multiple times if necessary
Ask questions
Don’t forget the steps: Observe-Interpret-Apply
Each day, write down something you learned, or
something that confused you, or something that
encouraged you—just write down something.
• Persevere. Remember, Paul’s letters can be tough. If
you’re confused, ask someone for help or look
something up!
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