Bible Studies in the Life of Paul Part 12

He who is the Head of the church is the Center of the universe (1:10). The eternal purpose of G.o.d in Salvation is now made known. Before the foundation of the world, man and the redeemed church of Christ were in the thought of G.o.d. Christ in whom we have redemption looked forward to His mission from eternity. "Creation, nature, and redemption are all parts of one system"; in the reconciliation of the cross all orders of beings are concerned. "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; even in Him" (1:10). (c) Prayer. A pet.i.tion that the understanding of believers may be illuminated; that they may know the hope of their calling and the riches of their heritage, which comes through unity with their risen and ascended Lord.

2. Doctrinal. Unity in Christ (ch. 2-3). (a) The calling of the Gentiles out of "trespa.s.ses and sins" into a new life in Christ. (b) Jews and Gentiles are reconciled and brought together in one body by the cross; "no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of G.o.d." All built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, through the Spirit. (c) The mystery of the universal call was made known to Paul by a new revelation. Prayer for a more full comprehension of this unity.

3. Practical. The new life in unity with Christ (4:1-6:17). (a) Exhortation to walk worthy of this new life. (b) Exhortation to gain the victory over sin "in virtue of the sense of unity with man in Christ." (c) Social duties. The regeneration and consecration in this new life of the relations of husbands and wives, children and parents, and slaves and masters, (d) Final entreaty, in the battle against the powers of evil, to put "on the whole armour of G.o.d."

4. Conclusion (6:18-24). (a) Personal. Paul requests special prayer for himself in captivity. Tychicus is commended. (b) Farewell and blessing.

THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS

The City of Philippi and the Church.--This city is notable from the fact that it was the first, in Europe, in which the gospel tidings were made known. Accounts of how Paul came to visit Macedonia and to begin the work in Philippi are given in Acts (16:10, 12-40).

Going out of the city as he did by the river side, where prayer was wont to be made, and talking to a number of women about the "New Way" would not seem to be a very favorable beginning for a movement which was to produce such exceedingly large results. But Paul was so full of zeal for Christ that he seized every opportunity, no matter how small, to make Him known. This church afterwards was a great comfort to the Apostle. This letter shows how he loved it and how he exhorted them to rejoice in the Lord (4:4).

+Occasion.+--Paul was in prison in Rome. The Philippian converts were greatly concerned about him, therefore they sent Epaphroditus with gifts and offerings to him (4:18). This was not the first time that they had taken thought of and remembered their founder, in a similar way (4:15, 16). The Apostle was very grateful for their care (4:10-14). While in Rome, Epaphroditus was taken very sick and came near death (2:25-28).

As soon as he had recovered from his sickness Paul sent him back to Philippi (2:28), with this letter. The reference to Caesar's household shows how strong a hold Christianity was getting in Rome (4:22; 1:12-14), and that there was great boldness in proclaiming the gospel.

+Objects.+--It is an Epistle of thanks to the Philippians for their kindness (4:10-18) in remembering the Apostle with substantial gifts in his work and for their fellowship (1:5) in the gospel.

Another object is to give them friendly advices and warnings (2:12-24; 3:2-3, 17-21). Paul does not forget, in this connection, to remind them of Him to whom they owe a whole-hearted allegiance, their Lord and Master, Jesus Christ (4:1).

The great doctrinal object, the Supremacy of Christ, is also set forth as is markedly manifest in the Epistles of Colossians and Ephesians. The whole Christian creed, "the incarnation, pa.s.sion, and exaltation of Christ" is expressed in the second chapter (2:5-11), "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of G.o.d the Father." The great end to be attained is likeness to Christ (2:5).

+Time of Writing.+--This epistle is generally regarded as the latest of the letters written during the first imprisonment in Rome, and in the same year with those to the churches at Colossae, and Ephesus. It was probably sent to Philippi shortly after the other Epistles (Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians) had been dispatched to Asia Minor.

+Princ.i.p.al Divisions and Chief Points.+--This epistle is divided into two parts.

First part (1:1-3:1).

I. Introduction (1:1-2:4). (a) Greeting. (b) Paul's thanksgiving, joy in the fellowship, and prayer for the Philippians. (c) An account of the rapid spread of the gospel in Rome and the apostle's rejoicing that Christ is preached. (d) Exhortation to unity in Christ.

2. Doctrinal (2:5-12). In this short pa.s.sage we have the Christian creed in brief form. "The G.o.dhead of Christ and His Manhood--His Pre-existence and His Incarnation--His Pa.s.sion and His Exaltation."

3. Conclusion of the first part (2:13-3:1). (a) Renewed exhortation to an upright and blameless Christian life. (b) The return of Epaphroditus. (c) Farewell message.

Second part (3:2-4:23). This section seems to have been added after the letter had been finished.

1. Warnings (3:2-21). (a) Against Judaic errors.

Paul could boast that he had been a good Jew and scrupulously kept the law, yet he renounced all that he might win Christ. True righteousness can come only through faith in Christ. (b) Against a false idea of the liberty of the gospel; whereby men, claiming to be Christians, walked in evil ways.

2. Final exhortations (4:1-9) to steadfastness, unity, joy, and the following of all good in Christ. Acknowledgment of gifts and benedictions (4:10-23).

QUESTIONS

What is the question at issue in this group of Epistles? What the reason for raising this question? What answer is given?

What attention is now paid to this question? When were these Epistles written? How were they sent? What can be said of the Epistles to the Colossians? The church at Colossae, how was it organized? What was the occasion of this Epistle? What the central thought? What the time and place of writing? Give the princ.i.p.al divisions and chief points. What was the occasion of the Epistle to Philemon? Give the princ.i.p.al divisions and chief points. What can be said of the Epistle to the Ephesians? Give an account of the founding of this church. What can be said of the t.i.tle and time of writing? What is the subject? Give the princ.i.p.al divisions and chief points. What can be said of the Epistle to the Philippians? How was this church organized?

What was the occasion of the Epistle? What the objects? Give the time of writing. Give the princ.i.p.al divisions and chief points.

III. PAUL'S WRITINGS

STUDY X

PASTORAL AND PERSONAL

FOURTH GROUP OF EPISTLES

FIRST TIMOTHY. t.i.tUS. SECOND TIMOTHY.

a.n.a.lYSIS

+The Place of the Epistles+--When Written.

+Paul's Fourth Missionary Journey+--Notices and Time. The First Trip Eastward. The Trip Westward to Spain. The Second Trip Eastward. The Second Imprisonment of Paul.

+The Questions Discussed+--The Personal Element. The Doctrinal Part.

The Practical Teaching. The Special Theme.

+Paul's Last Declaration of His Faith.+

+The First Epistle to Timothy+--Timothy. Time and Place. Purpose.

Princ.i.p.al Divisions and Chief Points.

+The Epistle to t.i.tus+--t.i.tus. Purpose. Time and Place. Princ.i.p.al Divisions and Chief Points.

+The Second Epistle to Timothy+--The Last Words of Paul. Time and Place of Writing. Purpose. Princ.i.p.al Divisions and Chief Points.

III. PAUL'S WRITINGS

STUDY X

PASTORAL AND PERSONAL

FOURTH GROUP OF EPISTLES

FIRST TIMOTHY. t.i.tUS. SECOND TIMOTHY.

THE PLACE OF THE EPISTLES

+When Written.+--It is generally agreed among scholars that no place can be found for the writing of First Timothy, t.i.tus, and Second Timothy in the period covered by Luke in his narrative in Acts.

Agreeing with the tradition of the church, however, the opinion of many eminent scholars is that Paul was released from the first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:16, 30), that he again took up his missionary work, and at the end of a few years of such work, he was a second time imprisoned and suffered martyrdom under the Roman Emperor Nero.