Exposition of PhilippiansExposition of Philippians

Advance of the Gospel Advance of the Gospel Despite OppositionDespite Opposition

Phil 1:12-18Phil 1:12-18

Rome and PhilippiRome and Philippi

Outline of PhilippiansOutline of Philippians Salutation (1:1-2)Salutation (1:1-2) Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-

11)11) Thanksgiving for the Philippians’ Thanksgiving for the Philippians’

Participation in the Gospel (1:3-8)Participation in the Gospel (1:3-8) Petition for the Philippians’ Growth in Petition for the Philippians’ Growth in

Christ (1:9-11)Christ (1:9-11) Paul's Personal Circumstances in Paul's Personal Circumstances in

Advancing the Gospel (1:12-26)Advancing the Gospel (1:12-26) Advance of the Gospel Despite Opposition Advance of the Gospel Despite Opposition

(1:12-18)(1:12-18) Paul’s Confidence that Christ will be Paul’s Confidence that Christ will be

Exalted, Either by Life or Death (1:19-26) Exalted, Either by Life or Death (1:19-26)

Paul’s Imprisonment has Paul’s Imprisonment has Furthered the Gospel (1:12-Furthered the Gospel (1:12-

14)...14)... After his prayer for the Philippians, Paul After his prayer for the Philippians, Paul

provides an update on how his provides an update on how his imprisonment had actually advanced the imprisonment had actually advanced the cause of the gospel (v. 12), in two ways to cause of the gospel (v. 12), in two ways to two groups:two groups: Outsiders:Outsiders: The reason for his imprisonment, i.e. The reason for his imprisonment, i.e.

his proclamation of Christ, had become known to his proclamation of Christ, had become known to “the whole praetorium” (i.e. the soldiers who “the whole praetorium” (i.e. the soldiers who guarded Paul) and to others (v.13).guarded Paul) and to others (v.13).

Believers:Believers: Brethren in Christ, strengthened in Brethren in Christ, strengthened in their faith by Paul’s example, were emboldened their faith by Paul’s example, were emboldened to proclaim Christ (v. 14).to proclaim Christ (v. 14).

...Though Not All of the ...Though Not All of the Preachers’ Motives Were Pure Preachers’ Motives Were Pure

(1:15-17)(1:15-17) Of these who were proclaiming Christ, Of these who were proclaiming Christ,

they were two groups with two different they were two groups with two different motives (v.15):motives (v.15): Rivals of Paul who sought to take advantage of Rivals of Paul who sought to take advantage of

his imprisonment, preached out of envy and his imprisonment, preached out of envy and rivalry (vv. 15, 17).rivalry (vv. 15, 17).

Disagreement over the precise identity of these Disagreement over the precise identity of these rivals.rivals.

Others, supporters of Paul and exercising good Others, supporters of Paul and exercising good will towards him, preached Christ out of love will towards him, preached Christ out of love for both Paul and Christ. They recognized that for both Paul and Christ. They recognized that Paul had been appointed by God for the Paul had been appointed by God for the ministry he was carrying out (vv. 15, 16).ministry he was carrying out (vv. 15, 16).

Paul Rejoices in All Paul Rejoices in All Proclamation of Christ (1:18)Proclamation of Christ (1:18)

Paul’s joy is not diminished by those who Paul’s joy is not diminished by those who wish to trouble him.wish to trouble him.

His perspective is such that he rejoices His perspective is such that he rejoices that Christ is being proclaimed, regardless that Christ is being proclaimed, regardless of the motives of the preachers. The focus of the motives of the preachers. The focus is on his mission rather than himself.is on his mission rather than himself.

He both “rejoices” (present tense) and He both “rejoices” (present tense) and “will rejoice” (future tense), emphasizing “will rejoice” (future tense), emphasizing that this is a continual state of mind for that this is a continual state of mind for him, regardless of his circumstances.him, regardless of his circumstances.

Implications from our StudyImplications from our Study

The Lord will ensure that His gospel is The Lord will ensure that His gospel is spread...sometimes in ways that go spread...sometimes in ways that go against our thinking.against our thinking.

God’s gospel is powerful to save, even God’s gospel is powerful to save, even through messengers with mixed motives.through messengers with mixed motives.

With the Apostle Paul, we too rejoice that With the Apostle Paul, we too rejoice that Christ continues to be preached and Christ continues to be preached and continues to draw His own to Himself...our continues to draw His own to Himself...our perspective and mindset should imitate perspective and mindset should imitate that of the Apostle Paul.that of the Apostle Paul.

Next Time: Paul’s Confidence Next Time: Paul’s Confidence that Christ will be Exalted, that Christ will be Exalted,

Either by Life or DeathEither by Life or Death

Phil 1:19-26Phil 1:19-26