making the scriptures plain

Notes

Paul was in chains because of his stand as a Christian when he wrote this letter with Timothy to the believers at Philippi. He upheld Jesus as One fully committed to their salvation and gave an inspiring glimpse of His future glory.

Though Jesus Christ was God, Paul reminds us, He was willing to give up the privileges of that divinity and become a poor human! He humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on the cross, all for the deliverance of believers from sin and death. So God raised Him up to the heights of heaven and gave Him a name that is above every other name. In the end, said Paul, every knee in all the universe will bow as the name of Jesus is spoken. And everybody will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

The book of Philippians speaks with urgency of Jesus' soon return. Paul hoped that he could be proud of the Philippian Christians when Jesus comes. The only thing of value is knowing Christ Jesus our Lord, because God's way of making us right with Himself depends on faith. In this way we can experience the mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead. Paul wants to persevere so that he will become all that Christ Jesus wants him to be. Jesus will come from Heaven and change our feeble bodies to be like His wonderful one. He will conquer everything everywhere. Stay true to the Lord, Paul urged his fellow believers, and live at peace with one another, praising God, because the Lord is coming soon.

This book emphasises the fullness of Christ's empowering presence in the lives of those who commit to Him. The first few verses include the wonderful promise of His good work in each individual THROUGH TO THE END. Believers are FILLED with the fruits of righteousness. We learn of Paul and Timothy's complete trust in Jesus. The last chapter triumphantly declares that God will supply ALL our needs from Christ's glorious riches. Paul makes it clear that this Jesus doesn't want just a casual relationship with those that choose to believe in Him. He doesn't want to be cheering on the sidelines of our lives. He wants to come right in, bringing righteousness and true joy, He wants an opportunity to prepare us to be found on the right side when He is acknowledged and worshipped by the whole universe as the true and rightful Lord over all.

To all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi

Phil.1.1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Phil.1.2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Phil.1.6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Phil.1.8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
Phil.1.10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Phil.1.11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Phil.1.13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

Christ is preached

Phil.1.14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Phil.1.15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Phil.1.16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Phil.1.18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Phil.1.19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Christ shall be magnified

Phil.1.20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Phil.1.21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Phil.1.23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Believe on him, suffer for his sake

Phil.1.26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Phil.1.27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Phil.1.29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Took upon him the form of a servant

Phil.2.1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Phil.2.5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Phil.2.6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Phil.2.7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow

Phil.2.8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Phil.2.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phil.2.10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil.2.11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Holding forth the word of life

Phil.2.16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Phil.2.19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
Phil.2.21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
Phil.2.24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
Phil.2.30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

If that I may apprehend

Phil.3.1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Phil.3.3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Phil.3.7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Phil.3.8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Phil.3.9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Phil.3.10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Phil.3.12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Jesus Christ shall change our vile body

Phil.3.14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil.3.18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Phil.3.20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Phil.3.21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Rejoice in the Lord alway

Phil.4.1 Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Phil.4.2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Phil.4.4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Phil.4.5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Phil.4.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Salute every saint in Christ Jesus

Phil.4.10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Phil.4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Phil.4.19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Phil.4.21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
Phil.4.23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.