Read Philippians 1-4 at Bible Gateway.
Phi 1:1-4:23
1a) Phi 1:1-2, Greetings + grace of the Lord Jesus Christ;
1b) Phi 1:3-11, Opening affirmations:
— 1b.1) Phi 1:3-4, Thanksgiving and prayer, making request before God;
— 1b.2) Phi 1:5-8, The Philippians’ fellowship with Paul in the gospel;
— 1b.3) Phi 1:9-11a, Approve the things that are excellent (chiasm);
— 1b.4) Phi 1:11b, To the glory and praise of God;
1c) Phi 1:12-17, Paul’s chains in defense of the gospel known to all men;
1d) Phi 1:18-26, Rejoicing in Christ (chiasm);
1e) Phi 1:27-2:11, Stand fast in one spirit, being like-minded in all humility (chiasm);
1f) Phi 2:12-13, Work out your own salvation with fear + trembling / God working in you to obey Him;
1g) Phi 2:14-16, Forsake complaining or disputing + hold fast to the word of life:
— 1g.1) Phi 2:14, Do all things without complaining or disputing;
— 1g.2) Phi 2:15-16, As children of God, lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life;
1h) Phi 2:17a, Paul’s life being poured out as a sacrifice to establish the faith of the church;
1i) Phi 2:17b-18, Paul’s rejoicing in being used for this purpose /church also to rejoice;
central axis) Phi 2:19-28a, Ministers of proven character sent to the church;
2i) Phi 2:28b-29, Receive these men with gladness and rejoice when you see them;
2h) Phi 2:30, For the work of Christ, he came close to death, not regarding his own life;
2g) Phi 3:1-3, Rejoice in the Lord + beware of the false doctrine of mutilation:
— 2g.1) Phi 3:1, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord;
— 2g.2) Phi 3:2-3, Beware of evil workers promoting mutilation, for we take no confidence in the flesh;
2f) Phi 3:4-21, Pressing on to know Him + His resurrection + sufferings + death + eternal things (chiasm);
2e) Phi 4:1-3, Stand fast in the Lord, helping the women to be of the same mind;
2d) Phi 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!;
2c) Phi 4:5, Let your gentleness be known to all men, the Lord is at hand;
2b) Phi 4:6-20, Closing admonitions:
— 2b.1) Phi 4:6, Thanksgiving and prayer, making request before God;
— 2b.3) Phi 4:7-9, Meditate on the things which are true and of good report (chiasm);
— 2b.2) Phi 4:10-19, The Philippians’ care in giving to Paul in the gospel;
— 2b.4) Phi 4:20, Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen;
2a) Phi 4:21-23, Greetings + grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
So much to learn from studying the matching pairs and the way the structure is wrapped. To be continued …
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