HOW TO STUDY A BIBLE PASSAGE

Philippians 2: 19- 30

4 simple questions. • What Does It Say? Observation

• What Does It Mean? Interpretation

• Are There Other Verses That Explain It? Correlation

• What Am I Going To Do About It? Application

Philippians 2: 19- 30

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have nobody else like him who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everybody else just looks after his own interest, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proven himself, he’s proved himself as a son with his father, he served with me in the work of the gospel.

I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I can see how things go with me. I’m confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. but I think it is also necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who’s also your messenger because you sent him to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and he’s distressed because you heard that he was ill. And indeed he was ill, in fact he almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

Therefore I’m all the more eager to send him so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So welcome him in the Lord with great joy and honor men like him because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you couldn’t give me.”

1. What does it say? Observation

A. Paul intends to send two men to Philippi. Vs 19 he says “I hope to send you Timothy to you soon…” Vs 25 he says “I think it’s necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus...” B. Paul endorsed these guys as role models. Vs 20 Paul says about Timothy “I have no one else like him.” Vs 29 Paul says about Epaphroditus “Welcome him… and honor men like him.”

1. What does it say? Observation

A. Paul intends to send two men to Philippi. Vs 19 he says “I hope to send you Timothy to you soon…” Vs 25 he says “I think it’s necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus...” B. Paul endorsed these guys as role models. Vs 20 Paul says about Timothy “I have no one else like him.” Vs 29 Paul says about Epaphroditus “Welcome him… and honor men like him.”

C. So what are these guys like?

Timothy Vs 20, 21 “He takes a genuine interest in you.” Vs 22 “He has proved himself.”

Epaphroditus Vs 25 “He’s my brother, my fellow worker and my fellow soldier.” Vs 26 “He longs for all of you and he is distressed.” Vs 30 “He almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life.”

2. What does it mean? Interpretation

A. A Godly person is caring.

Vs 20, 21 “I have no one else like him. He takes a genuine interest in your welfare and everybody else only looks out for their own interest.” “Timothy genuinely cares for you while others only care about themselves.”

“They’re all wrapped up in their own affairs.” Philips Transl.

"Let them see you" (Luxotica Eyewear).

"Cut to be noticed" (Lee Riveted jeans).

"Be All That You Can Be" (U.S. Army).

"Imagine yourself in a Mercury" (Ford).

"It just feels right" (Mazda).

"I love what you do for me" (Toyota).

"Leave your mark" (Mac computers).

2. A Godly person is consistent Vs 22 “Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father, he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” “proven” = tested, verified, checked out, determined reliable.

3. A godly person is cooperative. Vs 25 “I send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and my fellow worker and my fellow soldier.”

3. A godly person is cooperative. Vs 25 “I send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and my fellow worker and my fellow soldier.”

4. A Godly Person is Considerate. vs 26, “For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.”

Def’n of Considerate = Thinking about how “what you say” and “how you act” is going to affect other people.

“Husbands be considerate as you live with your wives.” 1 Peter 3:7

5. Godly People are Courageous. Vs 27-30, “Indeed he was ill, and he almost died… he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help that you couldn’t give me.”

Godly People are caring consistent

cooperative considerate

courageous

3. Are There Other Verses That Explain It? Correlation

4. What Am I Going To Do About It? Application

“Don’t merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

S.in to confess? Maybe

P.romise to claim? No

A.ttitude to change? Yes

C.ommand to obey? Yes

E.xample to follow? Yes

P.rayer to pray?

E.rror to avoid?

T.ruth to believe?

S.omething to praise God for?

I. “Honor those like this.” - Command to obey!

II. Which of these 5 examples am I the weakest on? • Do I need to be more caring • Do I need to be more considerate• Do I need to be more consistent in my faith• Do I need to be more cooperative• Do I need to be more courageous