LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Research Questions Worksheet
On
Philippians 1:1-30
Submitted to Dr. David Kitchens, In Partial Fulfillment
Of The Requirements for the completion of this course
HOMI 500-BO4 LUO
Preparation Of The Sermon
by
David R. Garza
L29190863
September 1, 2019
Investigative
Questions
Who?
To who was this epistle written too? Paul states in verse 1, to whom he
is addressing this epistle to: “to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at
Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (KJV).
What?
What is the message of Philippians? “Although there is no development
of one particular them, the concept of the all-sufficiency of Christ is
found throughout the book, Christ gives meaning to life and causes
people to serve Him even to their death (vs. 1:20-21)”1
When?
Where?
Due to the fact that it is uncertain as to which one of Paul’s
imprisonments, that is either Rome (61-62 AD), Cesaria (59-60 AD),
Ephesus, or Corinthians (mid 50s AD), it can only be guessed that the
writing was done between the mid-50 to the early 60.”2
Why?
Why was Philippians written? After Epaphroditus had delivered a
financial gift from the church at Philippi, he became deathly ill and
almost died. Paul used the occasion of his recovery and return to his
home church to express his gratitude, as well as “to counteract the
tendency towards divisiveness in their church (2:2; 4:2), to warn against
Judaizers (chapter 3), and to prepare the church for approaching visits
by Timothy and God willing, by Paul himself” (2:19-24).3
How?
How was this Epistle delivered? 4
Interpretative
Questions
Cross-references?
Paul gives reference to the church at Philippi in 2 Corinthians 11:7-9.
Context?
The context is Paul’s expression of gratitude, as well as “to counteract
the tendency towards divisiveness in their church (2:2; 4:2), to warn
against Judaizers (chapter 3), and to prepare the church for
approaching visits by Timothy and God willing, by Paul himself” (2:19-
24).5
1 Spiros Zodhiates, “Introduction to Philippians,” in The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible
(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1991), 1472.
2
D.A. Carson, and Douglas J Moo, An Introduction To The New Testament , 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2005), 506-507.
3
Robert H. Gundry, A Survey Of The New Testament, 5th ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012),467.
4
Ibid., 467.
5
Ibid., 467
Literary genre?
The literary genre of Philippians is that of an Epistle or a personal letter.
Purpose?
Paul used the occasion of his recovery and return to his home church to
express his gratitude, as well as “to counteract the tendency towards
divisiveness in their church (2:2; 4:2), to warn against Judaizers (chapter
3), and to prepare the church for approaching visits by Timothy and
God willing, by Paul himself” (2:19-24). (see footnote 5).
The tone and style are warm and personal.
Tone and Style?
Implications?
“Although there is no development of one particular them, the concept
of the all-sufficiency of Christ is found throughout the book, Christ gives
meaning to life and causes people to serve Him even to their death (vs.
1:20-21)” (see footnote 1).
Significance?
The Epistle of Philippians constitutes a rich view towards the Christian’s
service to Christ, and their fellow Christians, which comes with the
promise: “ my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippian 4:19, KJV).
Bibliography
Carson, D.A., and Douglas J Moo. An Introduction To The New Testament, 2nd ed. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.
Gundry, Robert H. A Survey Of The New Testament, 5th ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
2012.
Zodhiates, Spiros .“Introduction to Philippians,” in The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible
Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1991.
