Phil 1_12-18 Web

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Session Ten

Friday, January 8, 2010

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Philippians 1:12-18

Our passage for this session is part of a larger unit that runs from

1:12-1:26. This is indicated by what is called an inclusio. This isa literary devise of repetition used to bracket a thematic section and

emphasize the sections main subject.

Greek word for advance in verse 12 is the same word used for

progress in verse 25. The main subject of our larger section is theprogress of he gospel both externally


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Function of the Section

Four different functions of Philippians 1:12-20:

1. Rhetorical

2. Historical

3. Theological

4. Moral


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Rhetorical Function

Verse 12 begins a common section in a friendship letter . . .information as to the senders well being. Note that Paul talks

about how the gospel is doing, not how he himself is doing!

Why doesn't Paul use this section in its usual way?

To the question how it is with him the apostle must react with

information as to how it is with the gospel

Karl Barth


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Historical Function

This section also serves as a missions report, providing currentinformation on the situation.

Why do you think Paul gives an update on the progress of the

gospel?


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Theological Function

This section provides a theology for dealing with unfavorable,unwelcome, and undesirable circumstances. Seeing all things in

light of our new priorities that come from being in Christ is the key.


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All that has happened v12

Events Overview (Leading up to Rome Acts 22-28:10. Time in

Rome Acts 28:11-30)1. Riot

2. Two year imprisonment in Caesarea

3. Appeal to Caesar

4. Threat on his life

5. Shipwreck on the way to Rome6. House arrest, restricted freedom

7. Impending trial

ResourceChronology of Apostle Paul's Journeys and Epistles

www.matthewmcgee.org/paultime.html


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Imprisonment has served

Pauls undesirable circumstance is not in control, it is not a master

but merely a servant to Gods higher purpose . . . the progress ofthe gospel.

If Pauls ultimate priority was his own happiness and well being, he

would have every reason to feel that the situation was in control

because it would be preventing his goal.


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Advance the gospel v12

Here, the gospel is making quantitative growth . . . it is being

heard by more and more people. In verse 26 (the other bracket inthe inclusio) it is making qualitative growth . . . it is bearing fruit in

the lives of those who have embraced it.

Colossians 3:6

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as ithas been doing among you since the day you heard it and

understood God's grace in all its truth.


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Advance the gospel v12

The gospel cannot be hindered by physical containment. During

Pauls last imprisonment (following the one presently beingdiscussed) he wrote to Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:8-13

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from

David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the pointof being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.


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As a result . . . v13

Paul now shares two ways in which his imprisonment has indeed

caused the gospel to make progress.1. The Praetorian guard has been introduced to the Jesus story

(v13).

2. Existing Christians in Rome are encouraged to speak the word of

God with new boldness (v14).


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Praetorian guard v13

The Cohortes Praetoriae were the regular military bodyguard of the

Emperor, their mission to act as the guarantors of his security --though all too frequently, the Guard proved fickle in the loyalty of

their commanders and soldiers. While prone to violently unmake aswell as make emperors based on personal considerations such as

service benefits and monetary recompense, the Guard linked their

fortunes to the survival of the imperial office.As for the Emperorhimself, the Praetorians were loyal as long as he did not threaten

their interests.


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The Praetorian Guard, as they have become popularly known, were

formally organized by Octavian following his final victory overMarcus Antonius (Mark Antony). In a symbolic gesture, Octavian --who was soon to receive the title Augustus ("The Revered One")

and become the first Roman emperor -- combined the surviving

cadres of Antony's and his own bodyguard troops, called in Latin

cohortes praetoriae, into the structured arm we know as thePraetorian Guard.

The victor Constantine, who became the first Christian emperor,

exacted revenge on the Praetorians for their loyalty to his enemy by

disbanding the Guard entirely. In their place as the Emperor'sbodyguard, Constantine established the Scholae Palatinae,

composed of his own trustworthy troops, mostly of Germanic origin.


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The legacy of the Praetorian Guard, as elite but unscrupulous

guardians of an imperial regime, survives into our own modern ageas a paragon of military amorality. Not bound by ethics, the Guardand their commanders, the Praetorian Prefects, regularly abused

their power and access to the emperor in order to extort

concessions, to murder with impunity, and to repress dissent. Formore than three hundred years, the corps of Praetorians protectedeven the most venal of rulers without question, so long as their

greed and ambition were served.

Material copied from http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/

67/75/. This link has several pages on the background of the

Praetorian Guard.

http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/67/75/http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/67/75/http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/67/75/http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/67/75/http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/67/75/http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/67/75/http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/67/75/http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/67/75/

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In chains for Christ v13

An alternative rendering of the phrase is presented by Moises Silva:

My chains in Christ have become manifest

Being in Christ means that Paul shares in his sufferings (Phil 3:10-11)

and considers himself a prisoner of the Lord (Eph 3:1) not of Caesar.

The in Christ concept has already been introduced in 1:1 to describe

the identity of the Philippian Christians.

The purpose of Christs suffering was the advancement of Gods

redemptive work . . . Paul sees his current situation in the same light.

Sometimes being in prisoner of Christ is seen through the physical

chains of an oppressive human authority.

Pauls imprisonment is not merely the result of his proclamation of the

gospel but actually a means of proclaiming it.


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Two Emboldened Groups v15-17

Two groups were encouraged to preach the word of God more

courageously and fearlessly:

Pauls Friends Pauls Opponents

out of good will

in love

knowing

that I am put here for thedefense of the gospel

in truth

out of envy and rivalry

from selfishness, not sincerely

supposing

that they can stir up trouble forme while I am in chains

in falsehood


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What does it matter? v18

Paul was experiencing another unfavorable, unwelcome, and

undesirable situation . . . this time from other CHristians.

Once again, the thing that caused him to have a Christ-like

response was that he kept in mind the higher calling of causing the

gospel to make progress . . .

The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives

or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

The Apostle Paul

Philippians 1:18


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I am put here v16

When Paul was initially seized in Jerusalem Jesus told him that he

would Go to Rome . . .Acts 23:11.

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take

courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must

also testify in Rome."

Going back even further, we can see that Pauls suffering role befor

Gentiles was actually made know back at his initial encounter with

Jesus

Acts 9:15-16

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen

instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and

before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must

suffer for my name.


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I am put here v16

This was really the pinnacle of his calling . . . especially when we

understand that he was going before the Caesar . . . the Lord andsavior of the Gentile world.


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stir up trouble for me v17

Consider the alternate rendering that preserves the word play in the

original.supposing they will add pressure to my chains

We really dont know who these people were but they seem to be

preaching the right gospel just with wrong motives.

More likely, the problem came from the dynamics of the Roman

church and Pauls relationship to it. Possibly the situation

resembled Corinth (1:12) where the various factions rallied around

one greet leader or another. The situation in Rome was pluralistic,

no great Christian leaders were there before Paul arrived, so there

was no primary apostle. Perhaps many vied for the position or, at

the least, did not want someone from the outside claiming

status (Melick 76)


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Sow What?

As we consider Pauls attitude toward undesirable,

unfavorable, and unwelcome circumstances we see thatthe ultimate cause of making Christ known changes his

whole perspective.

1. When we respond to our unpleasant circumstances

with anger, disgust, and bitterness, it is likely that we donot have the correct ultimate goal in mind. If this

happens take time to evaluate what you are most

committed to and replace it with the progress of the

gospel!

Documents

Phil 1_12-18 Web