week 2

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Research

The purpose of this exercise is to ask questions for the best research to understand and communicate the text writer’s original message.

Questions Text: Philippians 1

· Work from your structural diagram of the text.

· Look at your observation for questions to ask.

· Number the questions and the answers you find.

· Complete questions before doing your research.

· Skip questions that are irrelevant or not answerable.

· Document where you find your research.

Investigative Questions

Who?

What?

When?

Where?

Why?

How?

1. Who wrote the book of Philippians?

2. Who was the letter written to?

3. When was this letter written?

4. Where was the author when he penned this letter?

5. What is the intended purpose of this letter?

6. What is grace as found in verses two and seven?

7. What is “the day of Christ” spoken of in verses six and ten?

8. What is the “fruit of righteousness” referenced in verse eleven?

9. What does the author mean by “in the flesh” in verses twenty-two and twenty-four?

Interpretative Questions

Cross-references?

Context?

Literary genre?

Purpose?

Tone and Style?

Implications?

Significance?

1. Who are the “Brothers in the Lord” from verse fourteen?

2. What is the reasoning for the familial language?

3. What type of letter is this?

4. Is there a tone and style?

5. Is there an implied message in the letter?

Investigative

1. The author of this book is identified as Paul a slave of Christ in verse one.

2. The letter was written to the saints in Christ who are in Philippi as found in verse 2.

4. The place that seems to carry the most support from commentaries and other sources viewed for the possible place where Paul penned this letter would be Rome. The terms “praetorian guard”[footnoteRef:2] and “Caesars household”[footnoteRef:3] are servants that are stationed in Rome, so many believe this is where he was.[footnoteRef:4] [2: Philippians 1:13] [3: Philippians 4:22] [4: Ibid., 5.]

5. The book of Philippians has been referred to as the book of Joy. There are 18 references to Joy in this book as well as 30+ references to the mind. Some have even titled this book the “Joyful Christian Mind.” Through application of what is written in this letter a Christian can have Joy no matter the circumstances that they find themselves.[footnoteRef:5] [5: Ibid., 3.]

6. Grace in its simplest definition is unmerited favor. It is getting what is undeserved. It speaks nothing of the recipient but more so about the giver. Vines defined it as divine favor and said it is a favorable reward that causes delight.[footnoteRef:6] [6: W E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: With Their Precise Meanings for English Readers, (Old Tappan, N.J.: Revell, 1966, ©1940), 170.]

7. The Day of the Lord is the day of Christ’s second coming; the final event in history that Paul looked to come quickly.

8. Fruit of Righteousness is an Old Testament idea and is also found in the New Testament. Paul in his work to Galatians also speaks of this. It is believed that this reference in verse 11 is speaking of good works, that are accompanied with a good attitude.[footnoteRef:7] [7: MacArthur, P. 53.]

9. While Paul often speaks of in the flesh being a sinful nature expression, however here it is speaking of the physical body. This is evidenced by Paul’s life and death comments.

Interpretative

1. Brothers in the Lord are other believers that are involved in following Christ and sharing the gospel.

2. The reasoning behind the comment is because all believers are children of God and because of that we are in the same family.

3. This letter is mostly a contemporary letter. The only variation is found in Philippians 2:5-11 and that passage is believed to be a Christological Hymn.

4. The Tone of this letter would be one of encouragement. It’s style is a very personal letter that centers on Jesus.

5. See the answer from Investigative 5.

12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching / Wayne McDill / 2006 / B&H Used by Permission