Philippians Chapter 1:5
An Exegetical Teaching Manuscript
Presented to Teleios Bible Church
Chapter Outline
Verse 1-2: The Salutation
Verse 3- Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians
ü Verses 1-2 Paul and Timothy, slaves belonging to Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, to those residing in Philippi, together with pastor-teachers and deacons. Grace to you and so prosperity from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
ü Verses 3-4 Every time I remember you, I thank God for all of you. [Always in my every prayer, for of all of you.]
Verse 5 Thanksgiving for Support
Pertinent Verses
ü “Each person, to the degree he has determined by means of his thinking, so give. Not from distress of mind or compulsion of emotions; for God loves a grace-oriented giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
ü “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, He will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.” 2 Cor 9:10-12
ü “But just as you excel in everything in faith-rest and in doctrine and in knowledge and in all diligence of application and in love from you to us, you also excel in this grace giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7
Verse Outline
I. The Parenthetical Issue
II. Thanksgiving for the Gift
III. Motivation for Giving
IV. Purpose for the Gift
V. The Philippians Faithfulness
I. The Parenthetical Issue
Now, let’s talk a bit about the parenthetical issue. Verse 5 continues the thought of verse three after the parenthetical thought presented in verse four. Verse three reads as this: “I am giving thanks to my God for every memory of you…” Then verse 4, which should be bracketed in parenthesis: [Verse 4: “Always in my every prayer for all of you, when offering prayer with inner happiness.”] The thought then continues in this verse with a prepositional phrase: “because of your contribution…”
Although I have chosen to interpret these verses as parenthetical, there are rationales not to see them as such. In any case, though Paul may not have been thinking of these words as parenthetical, we can gain the doctrinal thoughts expressed by them this way.
II. Thanksgiving for the Gift
Let’s start our study of this verse with a reading of the first phrase from the NASB. It’s a great translation to begin our study with because of its accuracy. Verse 5 begins as: “…in view of your participation…” (NASB) The Greek reads as: “…e0pi th|= koinwni/a| u9mw=n...” “…EPI TE KOINONIA HUMON…”
This prepositional phrase begins with EPI e0pi, a preposition, translated “because of” by virtue of it’s being placed with the instrumental case, in this case, the instrumental of cause. A preposition can change its meaning or in some cases, its nuance, depending upon what case it precedes.
TE th, which is a definite article in the instrumental feminine singular, follows. This is the identifying use of the article, which points out and identifies the Philippians generous participation in Paul’s ministry. It is translated: “because of the…”
KOINONIA koinwni/a follows. Grammatically, it is a noun in the instrumental feminine singular. Syntactically, it’s an instrumental of cause which is often translated “fellowship,” or “participation,” however there is precedence in two other verses that give credence to the translation “contribution,” referring to monetary giving. KOINONIA is translated in the NASB as “participation.” In 2 Corinthians 8:4, the NASB translates KOINONIA as, “participation.” This verse reads as: “…begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.” The context for this “participation” in verse four is the “support of the saints,” a reference to generous monetary giving, a financial contribution, in other words.
The NASB actually translates KOINONIA as “contribution” in 2 Corinthians 9:13. The context again, being monetary giving:
“Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the Gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all.” 2 Corinthians 9:13
The last word in this phrase is the personal pronoun HUMN u9mw=n in the genitive plural. Syntactically, it is a genitive of possession, meaning: “of you all” or “your.” This all leads to a corrected translation of this prepositional phrase: “because of your contribution.”
II. The Philippians’ Motivation for Giving
These believers were Paul’s logistical support. They were, from their wealth, in some cases, poverty in others, expressing their gratitude toward God for Paul by supporting him. As a result of their attitude of gratitude they were the only church to support Paul. They may have heard that Paul was making tents for a living. Yet he was the foremost Bible teacher at that time because he was the only apostle who thoroughly understood the many facets of the then-new church age. They knew he had an important mission to accomplish which demanded all of his time and energy. He did not need the distractions of tent-making. So, they gathered up and sent him sizable monetary gifts that freed up his time so that he was able to spend his time studying, teaching and evangelizing. By supporting him, they were participating in his ministry, just as if they were standing behind him as he taught. They had been supporting him with their gifts since he became a mature believer.
God uses advancing believers to support their pastor to liberate his time for study. By giving to Paul, they transformed their spiritual prosperity into material prosperity for Paul. This concept becomes blessing to both parties. This is mutual blessing by association. The point is this: no one ever loses with doctrine.
I. Definition
II. The Motivation for Giving
III. The Doctrinal Principles of Giving
IV. Giving related to Pastor-Teacher and Evangelism
V. The Grace Concept of Giving
VI. The True Meaning of Tithing
III. Purpose for the Gift
This verse continues with the purpose of the gifts by which Paul was being supported. The next phrase in the NASB reads: “in the Gospel.” The Greek looks like this: EIS TO EUANGELION ei0j to\ eu0agge/lion. This phrase begins with the preposition EIS ei0j then is followed by a noun in the accusative of purpose. The grammar and syntax following the preposition determines its meaning and usage. In this case, EIS is translated as “for the purpose of.” TO to\, which follows is a definite article in the accusative neuter singular. This is the monadic use of the definite article, translated “the” which points out and underscores the uniqueness of the Gospel of Christ. It is translated as, “for the purpose of the...” Let me emphatically underscore the definite article, “the.” It really points out, underscores and emphasizes the importance of what follows.
The next word is EUANGGELION eu0agge/lion in the accusative of purpose, neuter singular, translated, “good news.” This good news is the best ever, referring to our Lord’s Person and work on the Cross. We will translate it “Gospel.” So the entire phrase is translated, ‘for the purpose of the Gospel.”
The accusative of purpose asks a question: “To what purpose does the action of the main verb pertain to?” The main verbal idea of this sentence is Paul’s thanksgiving for their support or participation in his ministry. It reads, “I am giving thanks for your support of participation.”
Paul’s thanksgiving, then, is related to their support which is for the sole purpose of Gospel communication. So, a corrected translation of this prepositional phrase is: for the purpose of the Gospel...” We can expand the translation of this phrase to: “..for the purpose of spreading the Gospel.” This inserts the word “spreading” which takes into consideration Goals of Gospel communication, which is to spread it to as many people as possible. Those who are positive to the Gospel will respond to Jesus Christ. Those who are negative will reject the Gospel. A person isn’t born being either positive or negative to the Gospel. This simply reflects the choices a person makes, which makes the prepared to respond to the Spirit’s authority or reject it. It always boils down the issue of volition.
We all tend to emphasize Paul’s role in doctrinal teaching and communication due to his fantastic writings, but he was also an incredible evangelist. Our translation of verse 5, as far as we’ve gotten is this:
“…because of your contribution for the purpose of spreading the Gospel…”
This brings up another categorical study: The Doctrine of Witnessing.
I. Introduction
II. Definition and Description
III. The Role of God the Holy Spirit
IV. The Issue: Faith Alone in Christ Alone
V. The Weapon of Witnessing
VI. Mental Attitude in Witnessing
VII. Principles of Witnessing
VIII. The Analogy to Witnessing
III. The Philippians’ Faithfulness
Let us continue our exegetical study of verse 5. The NASB translates the next phrase as:
“from the first day until now...” The original Greek reads as: APO TES PROTES HEMERAS ARCHI TOU NUN a0po\ th=j prw/thj a!rxi tou= nun. This is another prepositional phrase. It begins with APO a0po\. It is a preposition followed by an article in the ablative of separation meaning, “from.” Next is the definite article, TES th=j used as in this case as a demonstrative pronoun meaning: “that.” PROTES prw/thj translated, “first” is a sequential adjective is next. Next is the noun HEMERAS h9me/raj translated “day.” This entire phrase is translated, “from that first day...” It refers to the first time the Philippians contributed to Paul while he was in Corinth.
An attic Greek or classical Greek phrase concludes this verse: the NASB translates as: “until now.” The Greek reads: ARCHI TOU NUN a!rxi tou= nun . ARCHI is an improper preposition translated, “until.” Next is TOU, the genitive of the definite article. Then NUN an adverb of time translated “…until now,” referring to the time of writing when Paul had received a generous gift from the Philippian believers. The final translation of verse 3 and 5 reads this way:
“I am giving thanks to my God for every memory of you because of your contribution for the purpose of spreading the Gospel from that first day until now.”
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