Active Christians Today University of Toledo
Bible Study ~ Philippians 2:17-30
Our Fall Semester Study begins with Philippians. What does it look like to live a life of joy in the midst of suffering, temptation and social challenges? Our study reveals how Paul equips his readers toward spiritual maturity through practical, perspective-changing wisdom. Discover how to grow in joy in the midst of any circumstances!
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
2018 Bretton Pl, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
Wednesday 5:30 PM
ACT UT - Philippians 2:17-30 “Partners (cause I might die)”
(with contributions from the LifeChange Series, Knowing the Bible & Expositor's Bible Commentary)
What is God talking to you about this week?
(with contributions from the LifeChange Series, Knowing the Bible & Expositor's Bible Commentary)
What is God talking to you about this week?
Paul has been urging the Philippians to act in a manner worthy of the gospel (1:27) by working humbly and selflessly together. He has motivated them with Christ's example and God's empowering. Now he gives them three other examples of worthy living: himself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus.
Knowing their concern for the welfare of their own Epaphroditus, Paul notifies the Philippians of his plans to send back this now-healthy fellow minister and the equally caring Timothy as soon as possible.
In Philippians 2:17-30 Paul interweaves two purposes—to communicate his plans to send Timothy and Epaphroditus, and to further motivate the Philippians to behave as partners.
Knowing their concern for the welfare of their own Epaphroditus, Paul notifies the Philippians of his plans to send back this now-healthy fellow minister and the equally caring Timothy as soon as possible.
In Philippians 2:17-30 Paul interweaves two purposes—to communicate his plans to send Timothy and Epaphroditus, and to further motivate the Philippians to behave as partners.
CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER:
When was the last time you gave a character reference for a friend?
What happens when you struggle to recommend someone for a job for which they may not be appropriate?
If close friends were to talk about you behind your back, what so you think they would they say?
What does the phrase “a Paul-Timothy relationship” mean?
When was the last time you gave a character reference for a friend?
What happens when you struggle to recommend someone for a job for which they may not be appropriate?
If close friends were to talk about you behind your back, what so you think they would they say?
What does the phrase “a Paul-Timothy relationship” mean?
In both Roman and Jewish sacrifices, the main offering was an animal killed, and a cup of wine was poured over it as a secondary offering. It is obvious Paul is speaking metaphorically (as we discussed last week).
What is the main sacrifice Paul mentions in 2:17?
What is the secondary offering poured over it and what do you think it means?
What are some practical things a leader can do when it is possible they will no longer be able to hold that position?
What is the main sacrifice Paul mentions in 2:17?
What is the secondary offering poured over it and what do you think it means?
What are some practical things a leader can do when it is possible they will no longer be able to hold that position?
More background: Timothy had joined Paul's mission team shortly before it first visited Philippi (Acts 16:1-12). The Philippian church was Timothy’s his first chance to make new disciples, since the team had previously been visiting churches Paul had already founded. Timothy had been with Paul for ten years now, but the people of his first mission field were still dear to him.
Why did Paul plan to send Timothy to the Philippians? (2:19)
The King James Version (God’s real Bible) quotes verse 20 in a slightly different way:
The King James Version (God’s real Bible) quotes verse 20 in a slightly different way:
Other versions translate “like-minded” with “of kindred spirit” or literally “of equal soul.”
What do you think Paul means by this?
Do you have anyone in your life who you would consider a “kindred spirit?”
How does that help you when facing times of trouble?
What was Paul’s overall opinion of Timothy? (2:20)
What was Timothy’s relationship with the church at Philippi? (2:20)
What do you think Paul means by this?
Do you have anyone in your life who you would consider a “kindred spirit?”
How does that help you when facing times of trouble?
What was Paul’s overall opinion of Timothy? (2:20)
What was Timothy’s relationship with the church at Philippi? (2:20)
Timothy was "genuinely concerned for" the Philippians' "welfare" (v. 20), not like others, who "seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ" (v. 21). These are parallel but contrasting statements.
What is the connection between the Philippians' "welfare" and the "interests ... of Jesus Christ"? (Hint: the same parallel is found in Matt. 25:31-46 ~ someone read this passage!)
In Paul’s view, why did Timothy stand out? (2:21-22)
What is the connection between the Philippians' "welfare" and the "interests ... of Jesus Christ"? (Hint: the same parallel is found in Matt. 25:31-46 ~ someone read this passage!)
In Paul’s view, why did Timothy stand out? (2:21-22)
This is a scriptural reference to the phrase “a Paul-Timothy relationship." However, that relationship seems to have changed as they had worked together for more than ten years.
How does this verse apply?
How do you believe this relationship might have changed?
How would that have helped in Paul’s ministry?
How does this verse apply?
How do you believe this relationship might have changed?
How would that have helped in Paul’s ministry?
But wait! It appears that Paul is not going to send Timothy right away. Why do you think Paul was holding Timothy back? (2:23)
Why do you think it was important for Paul to explain to the Philippian church his plans for Timothy?
So, when would Paul send Timothy to the Philippians? (2:23)
Paul wants to retain him until he has more definite information about the outcome of his case ("as soon as I see how things go with me"). This implies that Paul thinks there will soon be some kind of legal decision regarding him. This letter will alert the Philippians to Timothy's coming and will also let them know the reason why he did not come with Epaphroditus. They will also know that when Timothy does come, he will be bringing word about the crucial developments in Paul's legal case. ~ The Expositor's Bible Commentary
Why do you think it was important for Paul to explain to the Philippian church his plans for Timothy?
So, when would Paul send Timothy to the Philippians? (2:23)
Paul wants to retain him until he has more definite information about the outcome of his case ("as soon as I see how things go with me"). This implies that Paul thinks there will soon be some kind of legal decision regarding him. This letter will alert the Philippians to Timothy's coming and will also let them know the reason why he did not come with Epaphroditus. They will also know that when Timothy does come, he will be bringing word about the crucial developments in Paul's legal case. ~ The Expositor's Bible Commentary
The apostle Paul had many mission partners and coworkers. In one sense, Timothy was just one of many. But, in another sense, passages like 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 suggest that Timothy was unique. Read 1 Corinthians 4:16-17.
Now compare 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 and Philippians 2:19-24.
What words does Paul use to express approval of Timothy?
What words highlight the uniqueness of his relationship to Paul?
Do you have someone in your life who you view the way Paul viewed Timothy?
Do you wish you did?
What words does Paul use to express approval of Timothy?
What words highlight the uniqueness of his relationship to Paul?
Do you have someone in your life who you view the way Paul viewed Timothy?
Do you wish you did?
Why do you believe Paul confident that he would revisit the believers at Philippi? (2:24)
Do you think this was false confidence? Hope? Reality based on the facts?
As it turned out, Paul was probably not executed until some years later during a second Roman imprisonment. ~ The Expositor's Bible Commentary
Do you think this was false confidence? Hope? Reality based on the facts?
As it turned out, Paul was probably not executed until some years later during a second Roman imprisonment. ~ The Expositor's Bible Commentary
In verse 25 Paul describes Epaphroditus in five different ways. List them, and then spell each out in your own words.
Why did the Philippians send Epaphroditus to Paul? (2:25)
How did Epaphroditus feel about his friends in Philippi? (2:26)
What happened to Epaphroditus? (2:26-27)
How did God spare Paul tremendous sorrow? (2:27)
Why did the Philippians send Epaphroditus to Paul? (2:25)
How did Epaphroditus feel about his friends in Philippi? (2:26)
What happened to Epaphroditus? (2:26-27)
How did God spare Paul tremendous sorrow? (2:27)
How did Paul demonstrate his selflessness? (2:28)
How were the Philippians told to welcome home Epaphroditus? (2:29-30)
Why were the Philippians told to honor their messenger? (2:30)
Epaphroditus's work and worth are spoken of in lofty terms (vv. 25, 29-30). But what do you think was the "work" and "service" that Paul was referring to in verse 30?
Why does this sound a little bit like a backhanded compliment of the Philippians?
Are you surprised that such work receives such praise from Paul's? Why or why not?
How were the Philippians told to welcome home Epaphroditus? (2:29-30)
Why were the Philippians told to honor their messenger? (2:30)
Epaphroditus's work and worth are spoken of in lofty terms (vv. 25, 29-30). But what do you think was the "work" and "service" that Paul was referring to in verse 30?
Why does this sound a little bit like a backhanded compliment of the Philippians?
Are you surprised that such work receives such praise from Paul's? Why or why not?
PARTNERS: Plan of Action
Compare Philippians 2:20-22 to Philippians 2:2-4. How does Timothy show the behavior Paul wants the Philippians to have?
verse 20
verse 21
verse 22
How could you apply one of Timothy's attitudes toward Paul or the Philippians to the way you work with other Believers?
Compare Philippians 2:20-22 to Philippians 2:2-4. How does Timothy show the behavior Paul wants the Philippians to have?
verse 20
verse 21
verse 22
How could you apply one of Timothy's attitudes toward Paul or the Philippians to the way you work with other Believers?
CONNECT TO GOD:
Among your circle of Christian friends, for whom do you have the highest regard? Why?
What reputation do you have in your church?
In what ways have you proved to be a reliable servant of God?
What risks are you willing to take on behalf of other Christians?
In what ways can you be God’s "courier" to others?
Among your circle of Christian friends, for whom do you have the highest regard? Why?
What reputation do you have in your church?
In what ways have you proved to be a reliable servant of God?
What risks are you willing to take on behalf of other Christians?
In what ways can you be God’s "courier" to others?
Apply it:
How can you be a model of humility and service to other Christians this week?
This week, how can you look out for the interests of the Lord rather than your own interests?
How can you be a model of humility and service to other Christians this week?
This week, how can you look out for the interests of the Lord rather than your own interests?
Praises & Prayer Requests:
What do the words of Paul make you think about when it comes to praying for Active Christians Today to work as partners for Christ?
Share any other prayer requests, and close by thanking God for his comfort and promise to be with us.
What do the words of Paul make you think about when it comes to praying for Active Christians Today to work as partners for Christ?
Share any other prayer requests, and close by thanking God for his comfort and promise to be with us.
The Essential Inductive Questions:
1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What is God telling me?
4. How am I encouraged and strengthened?
5. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?
6. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow?
7. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? What is in the way of my listening to God?
8. How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?
9. What can I model and teach?
10. What does God want me to share with someone?
1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What is God telling me?
4. How am I encouraged and strengthened?
5. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?
6. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow?
7. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? What is in the way of my listening to God?
8. How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?
9. What can I model and teach?
10. What does God want me to share with someone?