A. INTRODUCTION (1:1-11)
Paul’s introductory greeting (1:1, 2)
Paul is grateful to God for the congregation’s faithfulness (1:3-7)
Paul prays that the Philippians’ love abound with knowledge and discernment (1:8-11)
B. PAUL’S PRESENT SITUATION AND PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE (1:12-26)
Paul’s prison bonds encourage others to speak fearlessly (1:12-14)
Whether the preaching is done with a pure motive or out of contentiousness, Christ is proclaimed (1:15-20)
Paul’s prospects of life and death; his desire to be of benefit to the Philippians (1:21-26)
C. COUNSEL ON CHRISTIAN CONDUCT (1:27–2:18)
Behave in a manner worthy of the good news; show steadfastness (1:27-30)
Exhortation to be united and humble (2:1-4)
Christ’s extraordinary example of humble service (2:5-11)
Keep working out your own salvation; God will energize you (2:12, 13)
Shining as illuminators in the world, and keeping a tight grip on the word of life (2:14-18)
D. TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS TO BE SENT TO PHILIPPI (2:19-30)
Timothy will genuinely care for the Philippians’ concerns (2:19-24)
Epaphroditus’ faithfulness, his sickness; “keep holding men of that sort dear” (2:25-30)
E. WARNING AGAINST “THOSE WHO MUTILATE THE FLESH” (3:1-11)
F. PAUL’S EXAMPLE FOR THE PHILIPPIANS (3:12–4:1)
Forgetting the things behind, Paul now stretches forward to the things ahead (3:12-16)
Warning against “enemies of the torture stake”; true Christians’ citizenship exists in the heavens (3:17–4:1)
G. EXHORTATION TO BE UNITED AND TO REJOICE; THE GOD OF PEACE WILL GIVE PEACE OF MIND (4:2-9)
Euodia and Syntyche urged to be of the same mind in the Lord (4:2, 3)
Rejoice in the Lord, and be reasonable; do not be anxious over anything (4:4-7)
Focus on what is righteous, chaste, and lovable; practice what has been learned (4:8, 9)
H. PAUL’S CONTENTMENT AND GRATITUDE (4:10-23)
Paul has strength for all things through God’s power (4:10-13)
Paul appreciates the Philippians’ generosity; he assures them of God’s blessing (4:14-20)
Greetings and Paul’s wish that the Philippians show the right spirit (4:21-23)