Exegesis of Philippians 1:27-2:18. 

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation,^{[d] and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.}

2

 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.   5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the

point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every

knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. New King James Version

This exegesis will show a Historical/Literary exegesis of Philippians 1:27-2:18. this exegesis will be using the extra conditions for an epistle as found in Lecture 2 of this course, "Identification of letters from Epistles is made easier by six components related to content of the letter: (1) name of the writer, (2) name of the recipient, (3) greeting, (4) prayer or thanksgiving (some variation in this section of the letter), (5) body of the letter, and (6) final greeting and farewell." First point being that Paul is considered the author of this letter. This has been one of the letters that was hotly disputed for many years without any proof from the opposition. Paul wrote the epistle in prison in the years 60-62 AD. Clues to this are in verse 1:13 evident to the whole palace guard and in 4:22. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 2. The recipients were the city of Philippi a roman colony in Macedonia and first European church founded by Paul on his 2nd Missionary Journey. Acts 16:12-40. This is a church and a community that Paul knew well having made at least 2 more visits there. Acts 20:6 and Cor 8:1-5. This church is a major contributor to Paul and his Mission Work. Verse 4:15, 16 and 2Cor. 8:1-4. 3. Greeting verse 1: 1-11. 4. Thanksgiving seems in this Letter to be at the end in that this is a letter of thanks to the Philippians and then a warnings on Legalism 3:1-16 and on Lawlessness 3:17-4:1 and then an Admonition of two women leading two factions that seemed to be feuding over a personal conflict verse 4: 2-9.

5. A body which this paper will look at shortly. Last of all a final greeting and farewell. 4:10- 4: 23. This is a major city that is a colony of Rome. It is wealthy by way of the mines and trade that it was to attract. The City was a footnote to the changing nature of Roman culture. The City is the site of the battle that changed the Roman Republic into an Empire. We can venture that a good number of the residents were Greeks and Roman soldiers who retired there. Acts 16:12 There was a limited amount of Jewish men living there because in Acts 16:13 they had trouble forming a synagogue. They could not find ten men who headed a household, the smallest legal limit.

There are 4 themes in our fragment and one overall theme that is often overlooked that run through our text. The 4 are to stand firm no matter the persecution, be united by humility, remember the example of Christ, and to be a light in the darkness. The overall theme that is missed is the joy that is found in Paul. Paul is in Prison. Paul has for maybe 2 years been beaten imprisoned, driven out of cities and still can find Joy in Christ love. Paul uses Joy 15 times in this letter.

Works cited

http://www.biblegateway.com New King James Version Copyright 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc.