Philippians: Summary and Conclusion

The epistle of Paul to the Philippians is essentially a thank-you letter to generous supporters and ministry updates. But Paul also uses this letter to provide the Philippians with practical exhortations that will help them progress in their faith.

Key themes

The epistle has many themes that reoccur throughout the epistle. Here are the major ones.

Joy in the Lord

Joy is the central theme of this letter. Though it only has four chapters, the word joy or rejoice appears 16 times. Paul, who wrote this letter while in prison, repeatedly expresses his joy in the Lord despite his circumstances or hardships.

He rejoices in his fellowship with the Philippians and their partnership in the gospel (Phil1:4-5), in Christ being proclaimed (Phil 1:18), in God’s sovereign deliverance (Phil 1:19), honoring Christ with his life (Phil 1:20), unity among the Philippians (Phil 2:2), the fruit of his sacrificial labor (Phil 2:17-18), the Philippians’ love (Phil 4:1) and their renewed generosity towards him (Phil 4:10). And throughout the epistle, Paul invites the Philippians to also rejoice in the Lord (Phil 1:25, 2:18, 3:1, 4:4).

Unity and fellowship

After rejoicing, being of one mind is the most repeated command in this epistle. Paul frequently mentions the deep bonds of fellowship and affection he shares with the Philippians (Phil 1:7-8; 4:1;4:15) and its priority in his life (Phil 1:24; 2:16). He urges the Philippians to also prioritize their fellowship with one another and be of the same mind, in one spirit and with full accord (Phil 1:27; 2:2).

Sanctification

Paul’s letter features many practical commands to grow in Christlikeness. He begins the epistle by reminding the Philippians that God was conforming them to the image of His Son and will continue His excellent work until Christ returns (Phil 1:6). Therefore, the Philippians must do all they can to participate in God’s work and grow in holiness (Phil 2:13).

They should grow in their love with knowledge and discernment (Phil 1:9), live in a manner worthy of the gospel (Phil 1:27), be humble towards one another (Phil 2:3-4), work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12), not complain (Phil 2:14), rejoice in the Lord (Phil 3:1; 4:1), watch out for false teachers (Phil 3:1; 3:17) and more.

As citizens of heaven, their goal is to become like Christ (Phil 3:19), so they can shine as lights in this dark world (Phil 2:15). Therefore, Paul urges the Philippians to press on towards that goal and pursue it relentlessly (Phil 3:12-14).

Gospel

Paul mentions the gospel nine times in this epistle and dedicates a considerable portion to its proclamation, defense, and response.

First, Paul gives a beautiful summation of the gospel by describing the incarnation, life, death, burial, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus Christ (Phil 2:5-11). Second, Paul defends the supremacy of the gospel and contrasts it with the Judaizers’ false gospel (Phil 3:1-10) and the lawlessness of the enemies of the cross (Phil 3:17-4:1). Last, Paul tells the Philippians how to respond to the good news of Christ; forsake their righteousness for Christ’s righteousness (Phil 3:8-9), pursue holiness (Phil 3:12), and live according to the gospel (Phil 1:27; 3:16).

For Paul, Christ and His gospel are supreme over everything. Consequently, believers must preach it, defend it, and live by it.

Contentment

Though Paul mentions contentment only twice, the theme is present throughout the epistle. Paul constantly shows his satisfaction in Christ, despite his hardships. He never complains about his lot or feels sorry for himself. He never expresses resentment towards God or doubts His goodness. On the contrary, Paul is full of joy and praises for His Lord! And the secret to his contentment is Jesus Christ.

Christ is Paul’s most valuable and cherished possession (Phil 3:7-8), his very life (Phil 1:21). And because Paul has the assurance of having Christ in life and death, he can be content in any situation.

The Philippians were also going through hardships of their own, and Paul wanted them to be content in Christ. So he tells them that suffering for Christ is a blessing (Phil 1:29), to rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4), to pray instead of worrying (Phil 4:6), meditate on good things (Phil 4:8), and trust God will supply all their needs (Phil 4:19).

Generosity

Paul wrote this epistle primarily to thank the Philippians for their generosity towards him. He also uses the opportunity to teach two critical things about generosity.

First, God is immensely generous and gives us more than we deserve. God the Father promises to supply all our needs according to His riches (Phil 4:19), God the Son sacrificed himself for our sake (Phil 2:6-8) so that we may receive His righteousness (Phil 3:9), and God the Spirit constantly provides us with encouragement, love, comfort, sympathy, and affection (Phil 2:2).

Second, God’s generosity should motivate us to be generous too. God’s extravagant generosity frees us to be generous even to the point of sacrifice because we know He will always provide (Phil 4:19). Our generosity towards one another is a pleasing and acceptable offering in His sight (Phil 4:18), and He will reward us for it (Phil 4:17).

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Christ proclaimed

The first chapter of Philippians is mainly about the proclamation of Christ. News of Paul’s imprisonment reached the church at Philippi, and she was concerned about Paul’s welfare. So Paul begins his letter by expressing his love and gratitude for the Philippian’s continuous support and easing her concern.

Paul was indeed in prison, but it was good because God used his chains to advance the gospel. Many believers were bolder to preach the word of God and preach Christ throughout Rome. Paul also rejoices in knowing that Christ would be honored whether he lived or died. If Paul lived, he would continue to proclaim Christ, and if he died, he would be with Christ.

Either way, He would be delivered, and Christ will get the glory. So he encourages the Philippians to have a similar mindset in their own trials. They should not be frightened by their opponents but strive for the faith of the gospel.

Key verses

“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.”

“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.”

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.”

Chapter 2: Christ’s perfect pattern

Paul urges the Philippians to be of one mind and spirit by being humble towards one another. He then uses the incarnation of God the Son as the supreme example of humility and tells the Philippians to pattern their lives after Christ. Paul gives practical commands that will help the Philippians become more like Christ and provides two living examples of men following Christ’s pattern.

Key verses

“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.”

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Chapter 3: Christ’s primacy

Paul’s primary emphasis in this chapter is the priority of Christ over everything. Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice in Christ and watch out for those who sought to lure them away from Christ with their false gospels. For instance, the Judaizers who promoted salvation by works and the enemies of the cross who promoted lawlessness.

He reminds the Philippians of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and how everything else is rubbish compared to Him. And because Christ is supreme, the Philippians must pursue knowing Him and becoming like Him as a runner would pursue a prize in a race; with zeal and perseverance. Paul promises their efforts will not be in vain, for one day Christ will return, and, on that day, they shall be like him for they shall know him fully.

Key verses

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.”

“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.”

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Chapter 4: Christ’s provision

Paul concludes his letter with themes discussed previously, such as rejoicing in the Lord, unity, and generosity, but the focus of this section is the assurance of God’s sufficient provision.

Paul first tells the Philippians not to worry about anything but to bring their supplications with thanksgiving before God’s throne of grace. When they do that, God will not only provide them with peace, but He will be with them. Then, Paul illustrates this with his own life and shows the Philippians how Christ has always supplied him with enough strength to be content in any and every situation. Likewise, God will always fill every need of theirs—spiritual and material—according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.

Key verses

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.”

“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.”

“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

When we make it our goal to proclaim Christ, pattern our lives after his perfect example, acknowledge His primacy over all things, and trust in His provision, we will always have joy. And that is the message of Paul’s epistle to the Philippians.

Final Outline

I. Salutation (1:1-2)

II. Thanksgiving and prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11)

III. How God used Paul’s trials (1:12-20)

• The gospel was advanced (1:12-14)
• Christ was proclaimed (1:15-20)

III. Exhortations: Christian living (1:21-2:18)

• Living for Christ (1:21-26)
• Striving and suffering for Christ’s sake (1:27-30)
• Unity through humility (2:1-4)
• The humiliation and exaltation of Jesus Christ (2:5-11)
  • Humbled by becoming a servant (6-8)
  • Exalted with the name above every name (9-11)
• Shining as lights in the world (2:12-18)
  • Work out our salvation (12-13)
  • Be blameless and innocent (14-16)
  • Rejoice (17-18)

IV. Living examples of Christ (2:19-30)

• Timothy (2:19-24)
• Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

V. Warnings against legalism (3:1-3:16)

• Rejoice in the Lord (3:1)
• False teachers vs. true believers (3:2-3)
• Paul’s testimony (3:4-6)
• The surpassing worth of knowing Christ (3:7-11)         
• The pursuit of Christlikeness (3:12-16)

VI. Warnings against lawlessness (3:17-4:1)

• A worthy imitation (3:17)
• Marks of the enemies of Christ (3:18-19)
• Citizens of heaven (3:20-4:1)

VII. Exhortations: Christian thinking (4:2-9)

• Unity among believers (4:2-3)
• Rejoice, do not be anxious, and pray (4:4-7)
• Meditate on noble things (8-9)

VII Thanksgiving and final remarks (4:10-20)

• The secret art of contentment (4:10-13)
• Gratitude and generosity (4:14-18)
• God’s provision (4:19-20)

VII. Greetings and blessings (4:21-23)

What are your thoughts on Philippians? Share in the comments below!

   Grace and peace to you!