Brief Summary:
Philippians can be called “Resources Through Suffering.” The book is about Christ in our life, Christ in our mind, Christ as our goal, Christ as our strength, and joy through suffering. It was written during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, about thirty years after Christ’s ascension and about ten years after Paul first preached at Philippi.
Paul was Nero’s prisoner, yet the epistle fairly shouts with triumph, the words “joy” and “rejoice” appearing frequently (Philippians 1:4, 18, 25, 26; 2:2, 28; Philippians 3:1, 4:1, 4, 10). Right Christian experience is the outworking, whatever our circumstances may be, of the life, nature, and mind of Christ living in us (Philippians 1:6, 11; 2:5, 13).
Philippians reaches its pinnacle at 2:5-11 with the glorious and profound declaration regarding the humiliation and exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians may be divided as follows:
Introduction, 1:1-7
I. Christ the Christian’s Life: Rejoicing in Spite of Suffering, 1:8-30
II. Christ the Christian’s Pattern: Rejoicing in Lowly Service, 2:1-30
III. Christ the Object of the Christian’s Faith, Desire, and Expectation, 3:1-21
IV. Christ the Christian’s Strength: Rejoicing Through Anxiety, 4:1-9
Conclusion, 4:10-23
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
The Book of Philippians Summary
Summary of the Book of Philippians – Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org
Context Summary
Philippians 1:3–11 is Paul’s expression of thanks and gratitude for the believers of Philippi. Not only have they been generous in their support of Paul, they have been faithful even when he was imprisoned. Paul claims to thank God for these Christians in all of his prayers. At the same time, Paul has high hopes that the church of Philippi will continue to mature and strengthen their relationship with Christ.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 1:6” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 1:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 1:6
6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Context Summary
Philippians 1:3–11 is Paul’s expression of thanks and gratitude for the believers of Philippi. Not only have they been generous in their support of Paul, they have been faithful even when he was imprisoned. Paul claims to thank God for these Christians in all of his prayers. At the same time, Paul has high hopes that the church of Philippi will continue to mature and strengthen their relationship with Christ.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 1:10” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 1:10 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 1:10
10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ,
Context Summary
Philippians 1:19–30 shows Paul reflecting on two competing desires. On one hand, a believer wants to serve God and bring others to Christ through their life. On the other hand, a Christian yearns to leave suffering behind—to be with God in eternity. Paul concludes that it’s better to live until God calls him home, so he can serve his fellow men. Paul also encourages the Philippians with his conviction that he will be released to see them again. His experiences, good or bad, are all adding to the glory of Jesus Christ.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 1:21” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 1:21 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 1:21
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Context Summary
Philippians 1:19–30 shows Paul reflecting on two competing desires. On one hand, a believer wants to serve God and bring others to Christ through their life. On the other hand, a Christian yearns to leave suffering behind—to be with God in eternity. Paul concludes that it’s better to live until God calls him home, so he can serve his fellow men. Paul also encourages the Philippians with his conviction that he will be released to see them again. His experiences, good or bad, are all adding to the glory of Jesus Christ.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 1:27” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 1:27 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 1:27
27 Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;
Context Summary
Philippians 1:19–30 shows Paul reflecting on two competing desires. On one hand, a believer wants to serve God and bring others to Christ through their life. On the other hand, a Christian yearns to leave suffering behind—to be with God in eternity. Paul concludes that it’s better to live until God calls him home, so he can serve his fellow men. Paul also encourages the Philippians with his conviction that he will be released to see them again. His experiences, good or bad, are all adding to the glory of Jesus Christ.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 1:29” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 1:29 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 1:29
29 Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,
Context Summary
Philippians 2:1–5 connects the blessings of Christianity with corresponding results in a Christian’s life. We experience comfort, encouragement, love, and unity as saved believers in Christ. As a result, we ought to express comfort, encouragement, love, and unity to our fellow believers. Here again, Paul emphasizes that how a Christian thinks—how they frame their attitude—is crucial to living a Christian life. This sets up a classic description of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, starting in verse 6.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 2:1” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 2:1 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 2:1
If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
Context Summary
Philippians 2:1–5 connects the blessings of Christianity with corresponding results in a Christian’s life. We experience comfort, encouragement, love, and unity as saved believers in Christ. As a result, we ought to express comfort, encouragement, love, and unity to our fellow believers. Here again, Paul emphasizes that how a Christian thinks—how they frame their attitude—is crucial to living a Christian life. This sets up a classic description of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, starting in verse 6.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 2:1” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 2:3 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 2:1-4
If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, 2 make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Context Summary
Philippians 2:6–11 is a poetic description of Jesus’ willingness to humble Himself for our sake. Rather than coming first as God and King, Jesus freely took on the form of a human being. He was humiliated and oppressed, following the will of the Father, in order to be the sacrifice for our sins. As a result, ”Jesus” will be given the ultimate glory and honor. Eventually, all people, whether they want to or not, will admit that Jesus Christ is, in fact, Lord. For some, this will happen too late.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 2:6” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 2:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 2:6
6 who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Context Summary
Philippians 2:6–11 is a poetic description of Jesus’ willingness to humble Himself for our sake. Rather than coming first as God and King, Jesus freely took on the form of a human being. He was humiliated and oppressed, following the will of the Father, in order to be the sacrifice for our sins. As a result, ”Jesus” will be given the ultimate glory and honor. Eventually, all people, whether they want to or not, will admit that Jesus Christ is, in fact, Lord. For some, this will happen too late.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 2:8” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 2:8 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 2:8
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.
Context Summary
Philippians 2:6–11 is a poetic description of Jesus’ willingness to humble Himself for our sake. Rather than coming first as God and King, Jesus freely took on the form of a human being. He was humiliated and oppressed, following the will of the Father, in order to be the sacrifice for our sins. As a result, ”Jesus” will be given the ultimate glory and honor. Eventually, all people, whether they want to or not, will admit that Jesus Christ is, in fact, Lord. For some, this will happen too late.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 2:9” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 2:9 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 2:9
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name,
Context Summary
Philippians 2:6–11 is a poetic description of Jesus’ willingness to humble Himself for our sake. Rather than coming first as God and King, Jesus freely took on the form of a human being. He was humiliated and oppressed, following the will of the Father, in order to be the sacrifice for our sins. As a result, ”Jesus” will be given the ultimate glory and honor. Eventually, all people, whether they want to or not, will admit that Jesus Christ is, in fact, Lord. For some, this will happen too late.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 2:10” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 2:10 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 2:10
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
Context Summary
Philippians 2:6–11 is a poetic description of Jesus’ willingness to humble Himself for our sake. Rather than coming first as God and King, Jesus freely took on the form of a human being. He was humiliated and oppressed, following the will of the Father, in order to be the sacrifice for our sins. As a result, ”Jesus” will be given the ultimate glory and honor. Eventually, all people, whether they want to or not, will admit that Jesus Christ is, in fact, Lord. For some, this will happen too late.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 2:11” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 2:11 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 2:11
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Context Summary
Philippians 2:12–18 explains how Christians ought to live, considering all that Christ was willing to do for them. The command to ”work out” salvation is a directive to let the new birth in Christ translate into actions. As a part of this, believers should serve God without griping or complaining. Paul knows that his service to God has been hard, but this is simply another form of offering. All Christians are invited to serve in the same selfless way.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 2:12” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 2:12 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 2:12
12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Context Summary
Philippians 2:12–18 explains how Christians ought to live, considering all that Christ was willing to do for them. The command to ”work out” salvation is a directive to let the new birth in Christ translate into actions. As a part of this, believers should serve God without griping or complaining. Paul knows that his service to God has been hard, but this is simply another form of offering. All Christians are invited to serve in the same selfless way.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Philippians 2:13” Bibleref.com
What does Philippians 2:13 mean? | BibleRef.com
Philippians 2:13
13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
