Read Philippians 1:12-14 – The Gospel Not Hindered
1. What did Paul want the Philippians to know? Why?
2. What was the result? (vs 14)
3. What did those who were not imprisoned see in Paul and his situation that would give them confidence and boldness?
4. How might this be an encouragement to us as well?
Read Philippians 1:15-18 – The Motives of Some
1. Contrast the 2 differing motivations for preaching Christ.
2. What caused Paul to rejoice? (vs 18) Does this surprise you?
Read Philippians 1:19-26 – To Live Is Christ
1. (vs 19) “For I know” shows Paul’s great confidence in his God. The Greek word translated “deliverance” is often translated “salvation.” In the New Testament it is used for physical healing, rescue from danger or death, justification, sanctification, and glorification.
a. What might Paul have been referring to when he spoke of his deliverance?
b. Through what two things does he say his deliverance will come?
c. We saw previously that even though Paul was in prison, his heart overflowed with joy. Though what strength was he able to rejoice even in such difficult circumstances? How does Phil 4:19 confirm this? Is this a promise you can stand on today?
2. (vs 20) For what does Paul have earnest expectation and hope?
a. Who will be magnified by Paul’s life, regardless of the outcome?
b. How is this an example for us?
3. Verse 21 is well known by many. What does it mean?
a. How do verses 22-24 elaborate on this?
b. Do you believe like Paul that to be with Christ is “far better”? Is this reflected in your priorities?
4. (vs 25 -26) At this point Paul is confident that he would be exonerated, and in fact he was eventually released. (He was later re-arrested and beheaded in Rome.) With this confidence, what did he intend to do upon his release?
5. Paul speaks of “the fruit of …labor” in verse 22. We see what that fruit would look like in the lives of the Philippians in verse 25b. What is this fruit?
a. Are you aware of the fruit of your labor? What do you see?
b. According to John 15:5, what is required to bear much fruit? What does this mean?
Read Philippians 1:27-30 – Worthy Conduct
1. The Greek word translated “conduct” literally means “to live as a citizen”. Paul is encouraging the Philippian believers to live as citizens of the kingdom of God, so rather than live with an earthly perspective, to live with an eternal one. Their conduct should reveal their citizenship. Consider Paul’s words in the following phrases. What might they have meant to the Philippians, and what might they mean for us?
a. That you stand fast in one spirit
b. With one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel
c. not in any way terrified by your adversaries
2. When the church conducts itself in such a way, what does it prove? (vs 28)
Note: perdition means destruction, wasting, damnation. Both Judas (John 17:12) and the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:3) are called the son of perdition.
3. (vs 29-30) What two things have we been granted (or gifted, or graced) on behalf of Christ?
a. It is easy to consider belief in Him as a gift, but how can suffering for His sake be a gift?
b. “Conflict” is the Greek word “agon”, which described a place where athletic contests were held and later used to refer to the contest itself. We get the words agony and agonize from this word. Remembering back, what did Paul’s conflict produce in him that would also be produced
in the Philippians and in us?
c. How have you seen suffering used in the life of a Christian? How has God used it in your life?