An Interpretive Analysis Philippians 1:3-11
1. Structural Analysis
Keeping with the basic structure form used by multiple times by Paul in his day, immediately after opening the letter (Giving his name and in this instance also Timothy's, naming to whom the epistle was written for, a general greeting and thanksgiving)Paul gives a prayer for these believers while foreshadowing the themes that will be used later on in the epistle.
Key Center: "I thank my God every time I think of you
" (3)
Paragraph Points
Paragraph 1: "I thank my God
I pray with joy"
Paragraph 2: Being confident
Paragraph 3: Since I have you in my heart
Paragraph 4: This is my prayer
2. Topical Analysis
Master Title: Paul and Timothy's Prayer for the Philippians
I. Paul prays with joy for the church at Philippi because of the common bond they have in Christ.
II. They should have joy and stability in Christ
1. God started something great and will finish it in its entirety
2. Paul loves them in Christ
a. When he is bound in chains
b. When he is defending the faith from oppressors
III. Paul's prayer for the church of Philippi
1. Paul prayed that the Philippians may have more love
2. He prayed for them to have more knowledge and wisdom to help them choose what is blameless and holy in life
3. Prayed that they would have righteousness that comes only through having a personal relationship with Christ
3. Situational Analysis
1: 5 - "because your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now"
1:7 - "
whether I am in chains"
This verse (1:5) shows that Paul and the church at Philippi had a prior history. Other epistles show the church's dedication to ...
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...ights and privileges that Paul and others could only dream of. We have never been stoned or put in jail. We must be bold and not lazy like church has become. We must unite and seek God in his word and prayer. When we do this he gives us wisdom and power through his spirit. We can then walk blameless in God's sight with his help and then in turn to our neighbor in our time of suffering like Paul and still be effective in the ministry. And that's when our faith is tested for its real quality!
Works Cited
Davis, John, Ph. D. Westminster Dictionary of the Bible. Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster Press, 1944
Henry, Matthew, MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY ON THE WHOLE BIBLE: New Modern Edition. 6 Vols. Mill Hill, London: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc, 1991
Thielman, Frank, The NIV Application Commentary: Philippians. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995
Carson, D. A. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
In this passage of the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses several concerns. He is addressing the situation of a man who has sinned not only against himself, but against the Corinthian Church as well. He explains why he wrote a letter rather than bringing sorrow upon them. Paul is sensitive to the Lord’s leading, and in love, writes to the church encouraging them to discipline this man in love for the purpose of restoring him. He urges the Corinthians to be obedient and love the man through forgiving and encouraging him. Paul shares with them his trust in the Lord for the outcome of this matter and how burdened he was for restoration to take place. He warns them of the need to not allow Satan a foothold through this matter. Finally, Paul puts the focus on Christ; for it is in Him that we are adequate thereby becoming His fragrance to others.
Throughout many of Paul’s letters there are many debates pertaining to the authorship, destination, date, and the purpose. In the book of Ephesians many scholars debate on the authorship and if Paul actually wrote the letter, or if it was a scribe. Although there are some debates on whether Paul actually wrote it or not, he does refer to himself twice in the letter. In 1:1 and in 3:1 Paul states himself, 1:3 states, “For this reason, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” (NIV) In verse 1:3 Paul states that he is a prisoner, therefore it is debated that he did not specifically write this because he was imprisoned in Rome at this time. According to Wallace “This, of course, is not to say that the letter must be by Paul, but it is to argue that without such internal testimony, no such claim could be made” (Wallace). Many scholars also debate on the vocabulary usage and the structure of the letter. Some believe that the structure is similar, but the vocabulary seems to be different than his New Testament epistles. Hoehner claims that,” Though the book has a close affinity with Colossians, critics claim that Ephesians is uncharacteristic of Paul” (Hoehner 613). The destination of Ephesians is somewhat debated, but many do believe that the letter was sent to the church of Ephesus. “Some to claim that Ephesus is a better starting point, others suggest Caesarea.” (Wallace) Although this is an argument that has many valid points, it is obvious that Paul was imprisoned in Rome while he wrote Ephesians. It is said by Hoehner that “Ephesians was probably delivered by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21-22), who also took Paul’s letter to Colossians (Col. 4:7-9)” (Hoehner 613). As for the date goes m...
Out of concern for members of the church of Philippi, Paul encourages them in their Christian Life. According to Paul, living means, living for Christ. Helping each other grow and experience the joy of faith. Praise for their constant witness (1.3-6). Praise for their concern for the Gospel (1.7) and praise shown by his love for them (1.8).
Much like a father desires to see his newborn child grow and live a healthy life, the Apostle Paul desires to see his audience of newborn believers grow and live a spiritually healthy life. In Ephesians 1:15-23, the Apostle prays his audience would grow in godly wisdom, and in revelation in the knowledge of Christ; he also desires for his audience to be used by God and to know their value in Him, which was brought about through the death and resurrection of Christ. In essence, Paul’s prayer consists of three parts: thanksgiving, petitions, and praise.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (pp. 80, 92) Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers 2. Dake, F. J. (1991). The Dake Annotated Reference Bible, King James Version, Red Lettered Edition, (pp. 56, 280). Lawrenceville, GA: Dake Bible Sales, Inc. 3.
Apostle Paul was a man who dedicated himself to the evangelism, church planting, and disciple making. This author will examine the biblical answers of relationship evangelism for contemporary churches through the research on Paul’s ministry revealed in Acts.
Philemon 1 – 5, “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;”
The Holy Bible, prepared by the Catholic Biblical Association of Great Britain. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1966.
Analysis of biblical writings has helped us to better understand the challenges and mysteries of scripture. In studying Ephesians 1: 15-23, research will help us draw out the bigger picture of what the writer intends to convey in his message. This passage is a prayer of thanksgiving and intercession in which Paul expresses gratitude to God upon hearing of the Ephesians “faith in the Lord Jesus and love toward all the saints” (1: 15 NRSV). This leads Paul to pray intensively that the Ephesians will gain an expanded awareness of the extraordinary and unsurpassed power of God manifested on their behalf. Paul writes this as encouragement and support to the readers.
The Holy Bible. Trans. Daniel I. Block et al. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 2003. Print. New Living Translation.
Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1995. Print. (BS195 .C66 1995)
Coogan, Michael, Marc Brettler, Carol Newman, and Pheme Perkins, ed. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Wenham, G.J., Moyter, J.A., Carson, D.A. and France, R.T., eds. New Bible Commentary. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1998.
When studying the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, many scholars regard the book of Romans as the most important of the apostle Paul’s letters. (Knight & Ray, 2005) This is perhaps because it contains the most in-depth exploration of Christian theology, namely justification through faith in Jesus Christ. (Hinson & Towns, 2013)The letter, especially chapters one through eight, contains a summary of what embodies a Christian worldview. Since Paul wrote to both the Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, he provided for them, as well as readers today, a biblical perspective that answers questions about the natural world, human identity, human relationships, and culture.