2. In Every Way Christ Is Proclaimed (Philippians 1:12-21) -- Inductive Bible Study Questions

Disciple Lessons from Philippians, Paul's Letter to the Church at Philippi

2. In Every Way Christ Is Proclaimed (Philippians 1:12-21)
Inductive Bible Study Questions

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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PROJECT: Letter an 8-1/2 x 11 inch poster for your study area which contains the text of Philippians 1:21.

REFRESHMENT SIGN-UPS: E-mail Pastor Ralph (pastor@joyfulheart.com) if you can bring refreshments one day this week. Translation: two paragraph testimony of God's faithfulness.

BACKGROUND: Paul is apparently under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30-31). FF Bruce explains: "Of all the possible meanings of praetorium, the most appropriate in this context is `praetorian guard.' The praetorian guard was the emperor's personal bodyguard, and since Paul by his appeal had placed himself at the emperor's disposal, it was natural that the soldiers who had charge of him in his lodgings, relieving one another in succession, should be drawn from the praetorian guard. Few of those soldiers had ever come across a man like Paul before, and each of them would quickly learn what had brought him to Rome." (Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977, p. 390.)

Level 1: What Does the Text Say

1.1 The Romans didn't look at imprisonment as punishment, but as confinement awaiting trial. How imminent does Paul's trial seem here?

1.2 What two groups seem to be preaching the gospel during Paul's imprisonment?

1.3 What is Paul's chief purpose for living? (vss. 20-21)

Level 2: What Does the Text Mean?

2.1 Explain why Paul's imprisonment has seemed to stimulate his friends to preach the gospel. (1:14-16)

2.2 What is the real motive of Paul's detractors in preaching during his imprisonment? What do they stand to gain from it? (1:15-17) NOTE: The word in vs. 17 translated "selfish ambition" (KJV "contention", vs. 16) is Gk. eritheia "electioneering or intriguing for office," hence apparently in the NT, "a courting distinction, a desire to put oneself forward, a partisan and factious spirit which does not disdain low arts; partisanship, factiousness" (Thayer, p. 249). Arndt and Gingrich note that before NT times it was only used in Aristotle, where it denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means. They suggest that the meaning "selfishness, selfish ambition" gives good sense. (Greek Lexicon, first edition, p. 309) Politics don't seem to have changed much over the millenia.

2.3 What is Paul's attitude about his detractors' preaching? (1:18)

2.4 Paul was probably pretty upset when he was first arrested (Acts 21), but he has mellowed. How does he view his imprisonment now? (1:12)

2.5 Why is our witness more powerful when we are suffering than when we are not? Why do we resist suffering? NOTE: advance (vs. 12, KJV furtherance) is Gk. prokope, "progress, advancement." Of the derivation, Thayer traces its root to pro "forward" and kopto "to beat". Literally, "to beat forward, to lengthen out by hammering (as a smith forges metals), metaphorically to promote, forward, further. (p. 540). Most progress seems like it comes through that painful process.

2.6 Paul has determined in himself to rejoice (1.19). What are the two causes of his hope?

2.7 Vs. 19 gives intercessory prayer as a cause for Paul's hope. Do you really think that God will *not* release Paul if believers don't pray for his release? How is intercessory prayer related to God's will and plan?

2.8 What is it like, this "help given by the Spirit" (KJV "the supply of the Spirit")? (1:19)

2.9 How can Christ be honored in our death? Can death be viewed in any other way than as a defeat? (vss. 20-21)

Level 3: What Does the Text Mean to Me?

3.1 What will it take to make you be "encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly"? (1:14) What seems to be holding you back?

3.2 Sometimes we are discouraged when high-profile Christians are exposed for less-than-pure motives. Paul might retort: "Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." (1:18) Why does God use less-than-perfect people in his work?

3.3 Let's say you were on trial to prove if this were presently true about you: "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." What kind of present evidence might be brought in your defense? What kind of present evidence might be brought against you? What decisions do you need to make which might alter the outcome of this trial? [Yes, friends, I understand about grace, but I also understand about the judgment seat of Christ.]

Disciple Lessons from Philippians

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