(The following is only my personal opinion and should not replace your personal study of such things)
The Main Message: Be of One Mind & Keep Up the Reputation
The main verses which spoke to me were as follows:
- Chapter 1 v. 19-20
- Chapter 2 v.1-5, 12-18
- Chapter 3 v.2, 17-19
- Chapter 4 v.5, 8, 13
Chapter 1
- v.9-11: Paul’s prayer for Philippi – our love and affection towards people must be grounded in knowledge and judgement
- v.13-18: Due to his imprisonment Christians are becoming more bold
- v.21: he is witnessing when alive and thus for Christ — if he dies it is pleasure and relief
Chapter 2
- v.1: bowels ~ tenderness, compassion
- v.2: like-minded ~ cherish the same views
- v.3: lowliness ~ modesty, humility, deep sense of one’s littleness
- v.3: esteem ~ consider
- v.12: NO ONE can substitute our duty for our behavior towards salvation — make your faith your own
- v.14: murmuring is a secret displeasure at a command & disputing is hesitation and doubting
Chapter 3
- v.2: concision – boasted circumcision (those who boast through their circumcision
- v.8: All earthly possessions are like dung when compared to God’s blessings
- v.17: We should find GODLY examples
- v.18-19: Those who aren’t should be avoided (see Romans 18:17)
Chapter 4
- v.5: moderation ~ gentleness, patience
- v.6-7: prayer ~ worship, earnest prayer & supplication ~ entreating
- All mentions of prayer in the NT specifically is using both and or one of these… we are answered if we seek earnestly… not just once a month or whenever you think of it
- v.13: Christ strengthens us in time of plenty and in famine
Whatsoever is …
- true – conformed to fact
- honest – worthy of repentance
- just – acceptable to God, righteous
- pure – sacred; free from defilement
- lovely – acceptable
- of good report – sounding well, reputable
- virtue – moral goodness
- praise
As I finish with my notes, I would like to repeat that these are my personal study gleanings and that they DO NOT substitute your own. The only resources I use is my KJV Bible, Blue Letter Bible, and sometimes Matthew Henry Commentaries (not often though).
The Wanderer 