Philippians 2 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

<< Previous | Index | Next >>
                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To appreciate the importance of unity, and how it can be maintained
   by following Jesus' example of humility

2) To understand what is involved in "shining as lights in the world"

SUMMARY

The first chapter included an exhortation to stand fast in one spirit,
with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (1:27).  
Paul continues with the call for unity, providing reasons why we should
desire unity, the nature of our unity, and attitudes necessary to 
maintain unity (1-4).  Stressing the need for humility and sacrificial 
service towards others, Paul appeals to the example of Christ and
expounds upon how far Christ was willing to go to save us (5-11).

He continues with another exhortation to "shine as lights in the world"
as they work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.  Doing 
all things without complaining and arguing, while holding fast the word
of life, they will prove themselves to be children of God in the midst
of a crooked and perverse generation.  This will also prove to Paul 
that his labors have not been in vain, and any persecution he endures 
is viewed as a sacrifice in the service of their faith and a cause for
mutual rejoicing (12-18).

He then writes of his plans pertaining to Timothy and Epaphroditus.  He
will send Timothy shortly, that he might know of their condition.  But 
Epaphroditus is coming at once in order to set their hearts at ease
about Epaphroditus' brush with death due to a recent illness. (19-30)

OUTLINE

I. EXHORTATION TO UNITY (1-11)

   A. THE MOTIVATION FOR UNITY (1)
      1. The consolation we have in Christ
      2. The comfort found in love
      3. The fellowship we have in the Spirit
      4. The affection and mercy we can enjoy

   B. THE NATURE OF UNITY (2)
      1. Being of like mind, having the same love
      2. Of one accord, of one mind

   C. ATTITUDES FOR MAINTAINING UNITY (3-5)
      1. Do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit (3a)
      2. With lowliness of mind let each one esteem others better than
         himself (3b)
      3. Be concerned for the interest of others (4)
      4. Let the mind that was in Christ be in you (5)

   D. JESUS AS AN EXAMPLE OF UNSELFISH HUMILITY (6-11)
      1. Though He was Deity, He was willing to come in the likeness of
         man (6-7)
      2. As a man He humbled Himself in obedience to the point of dying
         on the cross (8)
      3. Therefore God highly exalted Him so that at His name all
         should bow and confess Him to be Lord (9-11)

II. EXHORTATION TO SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD (12-18)

   A. BY WORKING OUT THEIR OWN SALVATION (12-13)
      1. Doing so with fear and trembling (12)
      2. Remembering that God is at work in them (13)

   B. AS CHILDREN OF GOD WITHOUT FAULT (14-16)
      1. Doing all things without murmuring and complaining (14)
      2. Blameless and harmless in the midst of a crooked and perverse
         generation (15)
      3. Holding fast the word of life, so that Paul may rejoice in the
         day of Christ (16)

   C. VIEWING PAUL'S PERSECUTION AS A REASON TO REJOICE (17-18)
      1. He views it as a "sacrifice", offered in the service of their
         faith (17a)
      2. For this he is glad, and calls upon them to rejoice with him
         (17b-18)

III. PLANS INVOLVING TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS (19-30)

   A. TO SEND TIMOTHY SOON (19-24)
      1. That Paul might be encouraged when he learns of their 
         condition (19)
      2. His commendation of Timothy, as one who seeks the things of
         Christ, and who serves with Paul in the gospel as a son with
         his father (20-22)
      3. He will be sent at once, as soon as Paul knows how things will
         go with him, and he himself hopes to come shortly (23-24)

   B. TO SEND EPAPHRODITUS AT ONCE (25-30)
      1. Because of his longing for them and his distress when they
         heard he was sick (25-27)
      2. So he is coming that they might rejoice, and Paul himself will
         be less sorrowful (28)
      3. Therefore receive him in the Lord with all gladness, and hold
         such men in high esteem for their sacrificial service to 
         Christ and others (29-30)
   
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Exhortation to unity (1-11)
   - Exhortation to shine as lights in the world (12-18)
   - Plans involving Timothy and Epaphroditus (19-30)

2) What four things should serve as a motivation for unity? (1)
   - The consolation we have in Christ
   - The comfort found in love
   - The fellowship we have in the Spirit
   - The affection and mercy we can enjoy

3) What should be the nature of our unity? (2)
   - Being of like mind, having the same love, of one accord, of one
     mind

4) What four things are necessary to maintain unity? (3-5)
   - Do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit
   - With lowliness of mind let each one esteem others better than
     himself
   - Be concerned for the interest of others
   - Let the mind that was in Christ be in you

5) What is said about Christ that proves Him to be a prime example of
   humility? (5-8)
   - Though in the form of God, He did not consider it "robbery" to be
     equal to God
   - Made Himself of no reputation, becoming a servant and coming in
     the likeness of men
   - He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of dying on
     the cross

6) Having been highly exalted, what should every person do at the name
   of Jesus? (9-11)
   - Every knee should bow
   - Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the 
     glory of God the Father

7) What did Paul want his beloved brethren to do in his absence? (12)
   - To work out their own salvation with fear and trembling

8) What is said about God working in the Christian? (13)
   - He works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure

9) What two things are necessary if we are to be children of God 
   without fault, harmless and blameless, shining as lights in the 
   world? (14-16)
   - Do all things without murmuring and disputing
   - Hold fast the word of life

10) How did Paul view his imprisonment? (17)
   - As being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and 
     service of their faith
   - As a reason to be glad and rejoice

11) What two things are said about Timothy? (20, 22)
   - Paul had no one like-minded, who would sincerely care their state
   - He had proven character, having served with Paul in the gospel as
     a son with his father

12) How does Paul describe Epaphroditus? (23)
   - A brother, a fellow worker and fellow soldier, their messenger,
     and the one who ministered to Paul's need
<< Previous | Index | Next >>
Home Page
Have A Bible Question? | Want A Free Bible Study Course? | Looking For A Church Near You?
Want To Talk With Someone By Phone? | Want To Discuss The Bible By Email?
Search The Outlines