Philippians 1 Commentary

Philippians 1:1-11 (ESV)

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Reflection Questions

Philippians 1:3-5

• Why does Apostle Paul thank God for the saints at Philippi? Take some time to likewise thank God for your partners in the gospel.

Philippians 1:6

• How can Apostle Paul be confident of the fact that the good work that God began in them will be brought “to completion”?  What is the relationship between this confidence and the joy that was evident in Apostle Paul’s life?

Philippians 1:7

• What is the basis of “affection” and holding someone “in my heart” according to the world, and how does this contrast with the basis of Apostle Paul’s relationship with the believers at Philippi?

Philippians 1:9-11

• What can I learn from Apostle Paul’s prayer for the saints at Philippi?

Prayer