“These personal notes are shared from sermons, classes, activities, journals, and reflections on faith. They do not represent the official views of Vox Church, and this site is not formally affiliated with Vox Church. To learn more about Vox Church and its beliefs, please visit voxchurch.org.”

New Testament Overview – Philippians– Session 6

Written by

Jay Downes

in

Led by Central Pastor Jake Rosekopf Vox Church

My Personal Class Notes-

Philippians

Historical Background of Philippians

  • Author: The Apostle Paul
  • Date: Around AD 60–62, during his first Roman imprisonment (like Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon)
  • Audience: The church in Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia (northern Greece) and the first church planted in Europe (Acts 16)
  • Tone: Deeply personal and joyful—this is Paul’s most affectionate letter

Why Philippians Was Written

Paul wrote Philippians to:

  1. Thank the Philippians for their generous financial support (Philippians 4:10–18)
  2. Encourage them to rejoice and remain unified amid persecution (Philippians 1:27–30)
  3. Exalt Christ’s humility and call them to imitate it (Philippians 2:5–11)
  4. Warn against false teachers and legalists (Philippians 3:2–3)
  5. Give personal updates, including commendation of Timothy and Epaphroditus

One-Sentence Summary: Philippians is a letter of gratitude and encouragement, calling believers to joyful unity, humble service, and steadfast faith in Christ—even in suffering.

Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown with Key Verses

Chapter 1: Joy in Chains

Key Verse: Philippians 1:21 — “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

  • Paul expresses gratitude for their partnership in the gospel
  • Even in prison, he rejoices that Christ is being preached
  • He prays they would grow in love and live worthy of the gospel

Chapter 2: Humility Like Christ

Key Verses: Philippians 2:5–7 — “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

  • The Christ Hymn (Phil. 2:5–11) models humility and obedience
  • Paul urges unity, service, and light-bearing in a dark world
  • He commends Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of Christlike care

Chapter 3: Pressing Toward the Goal

Key Verses: Philippians 3:13–14 — “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

  • Paul warns against false teachers (the “dogs,” Phil. 3:2)
  • He counts his past credentials as loss compared to knowing Christ
  • Encourages forward-focused, resurrection-centered faith

Chapter 4: Joy, Peace, and Provision

Key Verses: Philippians 4:6–7 — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

  • Rejoice always, be gentle, and pray with thanksgiving
  • Paul affirms God’s peace and provision for all needs
  • Thanks the Philippians again for their faithful support

Paul’s Testimony in Chapter 3:

  • His past: Who he was before Christ (Philippians 3:4–6)
  • His present: Who he is now because of Christ (Philippians 3:7–10)
  • His future: Who he will be and what he will gain in the end because of Christ (Philippians 3:11–14)

Examples of “Citizens of Heaven” in Philippians

1. Paul – The Living Example

Philippians 1:21 — “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

  • Paul models a mindset of eternal perspective: fearless in the face of death, joyful in suffering, and laser-focused on Christ

Philippians 3:13–14 — “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

  • He presses toward the upward call of God, not earthly comfort

2. Timothy – The Loyal Servant

Philippians 2:20–21 — “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

  • Timothy lives sacrificially for others and the gospel
  • A contrast to worldly-minded people around him—his citizenship is evident in his selfless love

3. Epaphroditus – The Risk-Taker for the Kingdom

Philippians 2:30 — “For he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”

  • Delivered Paul’s support gift from Philippi
  • Became deathly ill, but remained committed to gospel service—valuing God’s mission above his own safety

4. The Philippians Themselves – A Faithful Church

Philippians 4:15–16 — “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.”

  • Their consistent support of Paul showed their heavenly values

Philippians 1:27 — “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”

  • Paul exhorts them: live as citizens of heaven, worthy of the gospel

Comments

Leave a comment

More posts