Verses 2:12-18… Continue to obey God’s law for Christians. Christ accepted a role of great responsibility in heaven’s plan, and He fulfilled His

Verses 2:12-18…Verses 2:12-18… Continue to obey God’s law for Christians.Continue to obey God’s law for Christians. Christ accepted a role of great Christ accepted a role of great

responsibility in heaven’s plan, and He responsibility in heaven’s plan, and He fulfilled His obligations without exception.fulfilled His obligations without exception.

The salvation to be worked out is not the The salvation to be worked out is not the initial remission of sins upon obedience to the initial remission of sins upon obedience to the gospel.gospel.

God is pleased when His people are diligent in God is pleased when His people are diligent in their work.their work.

Philippians – Christ In The Philippians – Christ In The ChurchChurch

Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:12-18…Verses 2:12-18… Attitude is as important in serving God Attitude is as important in serving God

as performance.as performance. Contrariwise, willing and cheerful Contrariwise, willing and cheerful

obedience will make Christians obedience will make Christians blameless and harmless in their service.blameless and harmless in their service.

The world in which Christians serve their The world in which Christians serve their Lord is a world filled with wickedness.Lord is a world filled with wickedness.

Good works often provide an entree to Good works often provide an entree to teach the gospel.teach the gospel.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:12-18…Verses 2:12-18… The obligation of Christians to “The obligation of Christians to “hold hold

forthforth” the word to a lost world is often ” the word to a lost world is often neglected in spite of its great neglected in spite of its great importance in God’s scheme of importance in God’s scheme of redemption.redemption.

Careful attention to their responsibilities Careful attention to their responsibilities would bring about their own salvation would bring about their own salvation and the salvation of many other people.and the salvation of many other people.

Even if his present confinement ended in Even if his present confinement ended in his death, the reward of souls would be his death, the reward of souls would be worth the price.worth the price.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:12-18…Verses 2:12-18… Paul’s imagery relates to the practice Paul’s imagery relates to the practice

both under the Law and under pagan both under the Law and under pagan ritualism of pouring out a drink offering ritualism of pouring out a drink offering on a sacrifice before it was burned on on a sacrifice before it was burned on the altar.the altar.

These references to “These references to “JOYJOY” and ” and ““rejoicingrejoicing” in connection with Paul’s ” in connection with Paul’s death call attention to the numerous death call attention to the numerous times those and similar terms appear in times those and similar terms appear in this epistle.this epistle.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:19-24…Verses 2:19-24… Timothy had accompanied Paul to Rome Timothy had accompanied Paul to Rome

and had remained there during the time and had remained there during the time of the apostle’s imprisonment.of the apostle’s imprisonment.

Paul planned to send Timothy from Paul planned to send Timothy from Rome to Philippi to gather information Rome to Philippi to gather information about the welfare of the church there.about the welfare of the church there.

This would not be the first time that Paul This would not be the first time that Paul would use Timothy as his messenger.would use Timothy as his messenger.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:19-24…Verses 2:19-24… There was no other companion qualified There was no other companion qualified

for this task, in Paul’s opinion.for this task, in Paul’s opinion. During Paul’s confinement in Rome, During Paul’s confinement in Rome,

numerous companions were with him numerous companions were with him and provided assistance to him in and provided assistance to him in various ways.various ways.

Timothy’s character had been “Timothy’s character had been “provenproven” to ” to the Philippians, and they could have as the Philippians, and they could have as much confidence in him as Paul did.much confidence in him as Paul did.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:19-24…Verses 2:19-24… Timothy’s heart was certainly well-Timothy’s heart was certainly well-

known to Paul.known to Paul. Timothy’s mission to the church at Timothy’s mission to the church at

Philippi would be undertaken just as Philippi would be undertaken just as soon as Paul could determine what the soon as Paul could determine what the outcome of his impending trial before outcome of his impending trial before Caesar would be.Caesar would be.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:19-24…Verses 2:19-24… Paul’s “best scenario” would make two Paul’s “best scenario” would make two

things possible:things possible: He would be able to send Timothy to He would be able to send Timothy to

Philippi “Philippi “at onceat once.”.” He would also be able to make a personal He would also be able to make a personal

visit to Philippi.visit to Philippi.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:25-30…Verses 2:25-30… We know something about Epaphroditus We know something about Epaphroditus

as a Christian...as a Christian... Epaphroditus had come to Rome from Epaphroditus had come to Rome from

Philippi to “Philippi to “minister tominister to” Paul’s need.” Paul’s need. While in Rome, Epaphroditus had fallen ill While in Rome, Epaphroditus had fallen ill

with some undisclosed but very serious with some undisclosed but very serious sickness.sickness.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:25-30…Verses 2:25-30… As soon as Epaphroditus was well As soon as Epaphroditus was well

enough, Paul had sent him home to enough, Paul had sent him home to relieve the anxiety of the Christians who relieve the anxiety of the Christians who were waiting for news about his health...were waiting for news about his health...

Epaphroditus’ return to Philippi would Epaphroditus’ return to Philippi would be the source of great happiness…be the source of great happiness…

Men such as Epaphroditus were to be Men such as Epaphroditus were to be highly regarded in the church because of highly regarded in the church because of their faithful service in the Lord.their faithful service in the Lord.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Verses 2:25-30…Verses 2:25-30… It is significant that Paul had not It is significant that Paul had not

employed his power of healing [e.g., Acts employed his power of healing [e.g., Acts 28:8,9] to intervene in the case of 28:8,9] to intervene in the case of Epaphroditus.Epaphroditus.


Lesson 5Lesson 5

Documents

Verses 2:12-18… Continue to obey God’s law for Christians. Christ accepted a role of great responsibility in heaven’s plan, and He fulfilled His