RSV ~ Philippians 1 Notes

Phil 1:1 | ISB Notes

Paul: Both the author of the letter and the founder of the Philippian Church. Paul has no need to assert his apostolic authority because the Philippians already revere him as their spiritual father. He stresses instead his service to Christ.

Timothy: A member of Paul’s missionary team when he first established the congregation in Philippi (Acts 16:1-40). Already acquainted with Timothy (Phil 2:22), readers will soon see him again (2:19).

bishops and deacons: The spiritual leaders of the Philippian Church. Because the titles of bishop (“overseer”) and presbyter (“priest”) were sometimes used interchangeably in the earliest days of the Church, it is possible these Philippian bishops were simply the local priests in charge of the congregation (Acts 20:17, 28; Tit 1:5-7). In any case, they fulfilled the priestly and pastoral ministries of teaching, governing, and presiding at worship, while the deacons served as their assistants and devoted themselves to charitable works (1 Tim 3:1-16). This is the only time that Paul addresses the hierarchy as distinct from the laity in his letters.

Phil 1:2 | ISB Notes

Grace to you and peace: A standard greeting in the epistles of Paul (Rom 1:7) and the seven letters of John in Revelation (Rev 1:4).

Phil 1:3-11 | ISB Notes

Paul opens most of his letters with thanksgiving and prayer. Here he is overjoyed at the Philippians’ faithful commitment to his ministry expressed through their prayer support, encouragement, and tangible assistance (1:19; 4:14-18). His gratitude for the Philippians rises to God (1:6) along with intercessions for their spiritual growth (1:9) (CCC 2632, 2636).

Phil 1:4 | ISB Notes

joy: One of several themes that punctuate the letter (1:18; 3:1; 4:4, 10). Elsewhere Paul lists joy among the fruits produced in us by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22; CCC 1832).

Phil 1:6 | ISB Notes

began a good work: Paul is confident that his readers’ end will correspond to their beginning, i.e., that the graces of their Baptism will lead them to the glory of eternal life. Though God initiates and completes this whole process (2:13), he also asks us to cooperate with his help by striving for holiness (Heb 12:14) and working toward salvation (Phil 2:12). Paul is not saying that the Philippians can be absolutely assured of their salvation any more than he is (3:12-14; 1 Cor 9:24-27) (CCC 1996, 2008-10).

day of Jesus Christ: The Day of Judgment, when the Lord will come again in glory to reward or punish every thought, word, and deed done in this life. See note on 1 Cor 1:8.

Phil 1:8 | ISB Notes

God is my witness: An abbreviated oath-formula that Paul uses to assure readers of his sincere affection for them (Rom 1:9; 2 Cor 1:23).

Phil 1:9 | ISB Notes

love: Not a passing emotion or sentiment, but the grace that moves us to lay down our lives for others as Christ did for the world (Rom 5:8; 1 Jn 3:16). Its opposite is “selfishness” (Phil 2:3). Here and elsewhere Paul prays for an increase of love in the hearts of his readers (1 Thess 3:12; 4:10) (CCC 1822-26).

Phil 1:13 | ISB Notes

praetorian guard: An assembly of elite troops stationed in the palace of the Roman emperor. The soldiers apparently know that Paul has been imprisoned as a Christian and not as a criminal. Members of the imperial household are likewise acquainted with his cause and may have converted as a result (4:22). Despite Paul’s chains, the gospel he preaches continues to spread unfettered (2 Tim 2:9).

Phil 1:17 | ISB Notes

thinking to afflict me: Paul’s imprisonment sparks opposite reactions: some are emboldened to defend the gospel as he does (1:14), while others try to worsen Paul’s hardship by undermining his ministry (1:15). Nevertheless, even pretentious competition cannot dampen Paul’s joy at the success of the gospel (1:18). It is important to recognize that these insincere preachers are not false teachers, otherwise Paul would never rejoice in the spread of their message (Gal 1:7-8).

Phil 1:19 | ISB Notes

Spirit of Jesus: Because the Spirit proceeds from both the Father (Jn 14:26) and the Son (Jn 15:26), he is called both the Spirit of the Father (Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 2:11) and the Spirit of the Son (Rom 8:9; Gal 4:6; CCC 244-46).

turn out for my deliverance: A subtle but distinct echo of the Greek version of Job 13:16.

• Job is defending himself against the accusations of his companions, who reasoned that his many hardships and afflictions must be punishments for his sins. Paul, in the midst of his own trials, shares the confidence of Job that the Lord will vindicate his innocence despite the chains that bind him and the charges laid against him.

Phil 1:21 | ISB Notes

to live is Christ: Paul places himself entirely in the hands of God. This alone gives him confidence to face the uncertain outcome of his trial. Whether the legal proceedings bring him release or execution, he believes that Christ will be honored through him. Paul’s dilemma is that both alternatives will turn out for the good: either he will come to know Christ in the fullest way possible as a martyr, or he will continue to make Christ known as a missionary (1:22-24) (CCC 1010, 1698).

Phil 1:23 | ISB Notes

be with Christ: Paul does not hide his preference for martyrdom, since death is the doorway to eternal happiness.

• According to Catholic teaching, the souls of the faithful departed enter immediately into God’s presence for personal judgment (Heb 9:27). They now rest in the interim period between bodily death and bodily resurrection, which is followed by the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) (CCC 1005, 1011, 1021).

Phil 1:26 | ISB Notes

coming to you again: Should Paul be released, he plans to celebrate his vindication with a visit to Philippi (2:24).

Phil 1:28 | ISB Notes

your opponents: Possibly the Roman veterans of Philippi, as they would be fiercely loyal to Caesar and thus critical of those who honor Jesus as “Lord”. See note on Phil 2:11.

Phil 1:29 | ISB Notes

believe in him: Even our faith is a gift of divine grace (Acts 18:27; Eph 2:8).

suffer for his sake: Suffering brings great benefit to ourselves and others. On the one hand, it purifies us of selfishness and makes us sharers in Christ’s redemptive work (3:10; 2 Cor 1:5; Col 1:24; 1 Pet 1:6-7). On the other, it pushes the gospel into the world as believers bear witness to the Lord Jesus through persecution and martyrdom (1 Cor 4:913; 2 Cor 5:11). Scripture depicts suffering as a privilege (Acts 5:41) and so challenges us to embrace it and not simply endure it (Rom 8:17; 1 Pet 4:12-16).