Transcript Philippians: Major Themes

Philippians: Major Themes
Greek Texts
1. Rejoicing


2
Joy, the Greek noun chara, "the
experience of gladness," "rejoicing,
merriness." like its verb form, chairō,
"rejoice, be merry," is related to the noun
charis, "grace, favour," originally, "that
which delights.“
Sometimes Christians act as if Christianity
were a sorrowful religion. It is not. It is a
religion of joy and love. Joy and rejoicing
are key and frequent words in Philippians.
Philippians: Greek Texts
Rejoice…




3
1:4 " In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with
joy…."
1:18 "The important thing is that in every way, whether
from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because
of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice…."
1:25-26 "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I
will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in
the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy
in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me."
2:2 "Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having
the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."
Philippians: Greek Texts
…and again I say, rejoice






4
2:16-18 "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering
on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and
rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice
with me."
2:28-29 "Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that
when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less
anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour men
like him…."
3:1 "Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!"
4:1"Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy
and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear
friends!"
4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
4:10 " I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed
your concern for me."
Philippians: Greek Texts

5
For Paul, joy is a key component of the
Christian life -- a fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22) and "joy in the faith"
(Philippians 1:25). "The kingdom of God is
... righteousness, peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). This is not
just a present joy in the midst of trials,
but a joy that will reach its completion in
the future Kingdom of God.
Philippians: Greek Texts
2. Fellowship


6
Koinōnia is another keyword in Philippians.
"Partnership" (NIV), "sharing" (NRSV), and
"fellowship" (KJV) is the Greek noun koinōnia,
"close association involving mutual interests and
sharing, association, communion, fellowship,
close relationship.“
It is used often to describe relationships with God
and with others in the Christian community," as it
does here. It sometimes edges into the meaning
of "participation, sharing," as in 3:10 "sharing his
sufferings" and in the Lord's Supper (1
Corinthians 10:16).
Philippians: Greek Texts
Fellowship, partnership, sharing…






7
1:5 "I always pray with joy because of your partnership in
the gospel from the first day until now."
1:7 "... All of you share in God's grace with me."
2:1 "... if any fellowship with the Spirit...."
3:10 "I want to know Christ and the power of his
resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his
sufferings...."
4:14 "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles."
4:15 "Not one church shared with me in the matter of
giving and receiving, except you only."
Philippians: Greek Texts
3. Unity and selflessness

8
The Philippians, beloved as they are
by Paul, have some bickering and
dissention going on. You can see this
thread going throughout the short
letter, sometimes subtly, by
inference, and sometimes head-on.
Philippians: Greek Texts
The selfless life






9
1:15-17 Paul tells about Romans preaching with envy and
rivalry in order to speak to the Philippians about the same
issue in their midst.
1:27 Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel.
1:27 Stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side
by side for the faith of the gospel.
2:2-4 Be in full accord and of one mind, same mind, same
love. Do nothing from selfishness. Care about the interests
of others.
2:5-11 Jesus' self-humiliation and exaltation by the Father
used as an example of humility needed within the church.
2:14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning.
Philippians: Greek Texts






10
2:21 They all look after their own interests, not
those of Jesus Christ.
3:2-3 Judaizers trying to impose circumcision on
the Philippians.
3:3-8 Confidence in the flesh, one's pedigree,
holiness, and status.
3:17-19 Imitate me and those who live according
to my example. Earthly focus vs. heavenly one.
4:2 Exhorts Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the
Lord.
4:8-9 Honourable, upright living, modelled by
Paul.
Philippians: Greek Texts
4. “In Christ”

11
One of the characteristic phrases in Paul -- and,
incidentally, John's writings too -- is "in Christ" or
"in the Lord," the common Greek prepositional
phrase en Christō or en kuriō. Here the preposition
en is used to designate a close personal relation
in which the object of the preposition is viewed
as the control influence. So the preposition en
here means, "under the control of, under the
influence of, in close association with." We see
this phrase again and again in Philippians. Paul
anchors all of the Christian life in one's
relationship to Christ.
Philippians: Greek Texts






12
1:1 "To all the saints in Christ Jesus at
Philippi…."
1:14 "Most of the brothers in the Lord have
been encouraged…."
1:26 "Your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on
account of me"
2:19 "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy
to you soon…."
2:24 "And I am confident in the Lord that I
myself will come soon."
2:29 "Welcome him in the Lord with great
joy…."
Philippians: Greek Texts






13
3:1 "Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!"
3:3 "For it is we who are the circumcision … who
glory in Christ Jesus…."
3:8-9 "That I may gain Christ and be found in
him…."
3:9 "The righteousness … that which is through
faith in Christ…."
3:14 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called me heavenward in
Christ Jesus."
4:1 "You should stand firm in the Lord…."
Philippians: Greek Texts





14
4:2 "I plead with Euodia and I plead with
Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord."
4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always."
4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus."
4:10 "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last
you have renewed your concern for me."
4:21 "Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus."
Philippians: Greek Texts