Six Themes in Philippians Everyone Should Know

By Cynthia M. Campbell and Eva Stimson

The Six Themes Everyone Should Know series introduces biblical books and their main themes. Each volume consists of six chapters that present major biblical themes; each chapter contains an introduction and three major sections:

• An explanation of the theme
• The significance of the biblical theme for the life of faith
• An exploration of implications this biblical theme offers the church for its ministry

Philippi is Paul's first destination outside Asia Minor, his first city to visit in Europe, and his first mission in a place where there was no Jewish community from which to begin preaching. Cynthia Campbell writes that in Paul's letter to the Philippians, we get a unique glimpse of our beginnings as Christians. Some themes explored include the importance of community for followers of Christ, Christian joy in spite of persecution, the nature of Christian unity, what it means to be "in Christ", and mutual hospitality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Geneva Press
• Release date: Apr 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781611649925

Cynthia M. Campbell

Cynthia Campbell is former president of McCormick Seminary and retired pastor of Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

Book preview

Six Themes

Everyone Should Know

Philippians

Cynthia M. Campbell

Geneva

Press

© 2020 Geneva Press

First edition

Published by Geneva Press

Louisville, Kentucky

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28—10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

All rights reserved. Except where permission to photocopy is expressly granted on the material, no part of these materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Geneva Press, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1396.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission. In some instances, adaptations have been made to a Scripture or a confession to make the language inclusive.

Excerpts from the Book of Order and Book of Confessions have been used throughout this resource. Both are reprinted with permission of the Office of the General Assembly.

Cover designer: Rebecca Kueber

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Campbell, Cynthia McCall, author. | Stimson, Eva.

Title: Philippians / Cynthia M. Campbell.

Description: First edition. | Louisville, Kentucky : Geneva Press, [2020] | Series: Six themes everyone should know

Identifiers: LCCN 2020000132 (print) | LCCN 2020000133 (ebook) | ISBN 9781571532411 (paperback) | ISBN 9781611649925 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Philippians—Theology.

Classification: LCC BS2705.52 .C35 2020 (print) | LCC BS2705.52 (ebook) | DDC 227/.606—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020000132

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020000133

Most Geneva Press books are available at special quantity discounts when purchased in bulk by corporations, organizations, and special-interest groups. For more information, please e-mail [e-mail].

Contents

Listing of Six Themes Everyone Should Know series

Introduction to the Six Themes Everyone Should Know series

Introduction to Philippians

1. In This Together

2. Great Joy

3. Beliefs That Matter

4. Being of One Mind

5. Christian Identity

6. Mutual Hospitality

Group Gatherings, by Eva Stimson

Group Gathering 1

Group Gathering 2

Group Gathering 3

Group Gathering 4

Group Gathering 5

Group Gathering 6

Want to Know More?

Six Themes Everyone Should Know series

The Bible, by Barry Ensign-George

Genesis, by W. Eugene March

Matthew, by James E. Davison

Luke, by John T. Carroll

1 and 2 Timothy, by Thomas G. Long

Jeremiah, by W. Eugene March

Exodus, by V. Steven Parrish

Psalms, by Jerome F. D. Creach

Philippians, by Cynthia M. Campbell

Introduction to the

Six Themes Everyone Should Know series

The Six Themes Everyone Should Know series focuses on the study of Scripture. Bible study is vital to the lives of churches. Churches need ways of studying Scripture that can fit a variety of contexts and group needs. Six Themes Everyone Should Know studies offer a central feature of church adult educational programs. Their flexibility and accessibility make it possible to have short-term studies that introduce biblical books and their main themes.

Six Themes Everyone Should Know consists of six chapters that introduce major biblical themes. At the core of each chapter is an introduction and three major sections. These sections relate to key dimensions of Bible study. These sections ask:

• What does this biblical theme mean?

• What is the meaning of this biblical theme for the life of faith?

• What does this biblical theme mean for the church at this point in history for action?

This format presents a compact and accessible way for people in various educational settings to gain knowledge about major themes in the biblical books; to experience the impact of what Scripture means for Christian devotion to God; and to consider ways Scripture can lead to new directions for the church in action.

Introduction to Philippians

Philippians is one of the most winsome of all of Paul’s letters, and it provides an amazingly intimate view of the early church. It is largely free of the conflicts so evident in Paul’s letters to the Galatians and Corinthians. In fact, Philippians is often called the epistle of joy because of the warmth with which Paul expresses himself toward his friends. There is a poignancy to Paul’s joy, however, because he is in prison and does not know whether he will be set free or put to death.

In his very helpful commentary, noted preacher and New Testament scholar Fred Craddock introduces this letter by saying that it is a letter from Paul to a church.¹ First of all, this is a letter that was intended to be read aloud in worship—not as scripture but as a pastoral communication from this community’s founder to his dear friends. Paul uses the form or structure of letter writing that was common in his day. First, there is a greeting or salutation (1:1–2). This is followed by words of thanksgiving (vv. 3–11) in which Paul celebrates the ties that bind him to this congregation. The body of this letter (1:12–3:1) is a combination of theological reflection and discussion of his own situation. The letter continues with moral or ethical instruction (3:1b–4:9). Again according to the tradition of letter writing of the time, Paul concludes with final words, personal greetings, and a closing blessing or benediction (4:10–23).

Second, this is a letter from Paul. Scholars debate whether some writings in the New Testament that carry Paul’s