Philippians 3, continued:

Philippians 3:12-21 – Press on toward Heaven!

  • Philippians 3:14 – Heaven is the prize to which God is calling us.
  • Philippians 3:15-16 – No Christian should ever become complacent. We must continue pressing on.
  • Philippians 3:17 – The word “observe” here just means to keep your eye on someone in a positive way.
  • Philippians 3:19 – Those who are concentrating only on earthly things will meet destruction.
  • Philippians 3:20 – If we get to a point where we are not eager to go to Heaven, something is wrong!
  • Philippians 3:21 – Jesus will transform our bodies when it is time to go to Heaven.

Philippians 4

Philippians 4:1-9 – Peace and joy

  • Philippians 4:3
    • The phrase “true companion” is taken by some as evidence that Paul was married, but we have no evidence of that from other scriptures. Paul only refers to himself as unmarried in other places.
    • The “book of life” may or may not be some sort of actual book, but it is referenced by Moses (Exodus 32:32) and a number of other passages in the Bible.
  • Philippians 4:4 – Paul was writing from prison to tell others to rejoice!
  • Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious” doesn’t mean that nothing bad will happen. Troubles will still come, but Christians have a peace that comes from God.

Philippians 4:10-23 – Paul’s contentment and their fellowship

  • Philippians 4:11 – Paul learned to be content.
  • Philippians 4:18 – Epaphroditus apparently carried the money to Paul. Paul was grateful for the money, but more than that, he was grateful that the Philippians were in a spiritual state such that they wanted to send him support.
  • Philippians 4:22 – This seems to indicate that Paul was in prison in Rome. See Philippians 1:12.