Category: Open My Eyes

Please read these verses in your own Bible or on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A+1-14&version=NIV v 1-4a: Be joyful as an antidote to grumbling and arguing. Joy in the Lord is our protection; Paul keeps saying it because we learn best with repetition. Be alert. Don’t let your joy be stolen by “rules.” Paul is warning against…

Timothy and Epaphroditus Please read these verses in your own Bible or on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A+19-30&version=NIV v 19-24: Timothy is unique in three ways: 1) he truly cares for the needs of the church, 2) he puts the Lord’s interests first, and 3) he works with Paul as son and father. He is going to…

Please read these verses in your own Bible or on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A+12-18&version=NIV v 12-13: Christ was obedient (Philippians 2: 8); Paul modeled obedience. As His followers, the Philippians are to obey as well (no matter if anyone is watching or not), as they work out their salvation; not in order to gain what’s already…

Please read these verses in your own Bible or online at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A+5-11&version=NIV This passage is considered by some scholars to be an early church hymn. v 5: Paul continues the theme of practical unity by citing Jesus’ example. We have been given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16); we are to use…

Please read these verses in your own Bible or online at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A+1-4&version=NIV Imitating Christ’s Humility v 1-2: In other words, if Christ has blessed you with His encouragement, comfort, Spirit, and tender compassion (as He most certainly has), share those things joyfully and willingly with those around you in unity, love, spirit, mind…

Please read these verses in your own Bible or online (Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A+27-30&version=NIV The notes are from my studies. v 27-28a “Whatever happens…” Paul makes no promises about his future. He reminds the Philippians that they have a three-fold responsibility: their personal behavior (as Kingdom citizens), their unity (in spirit, mind and faith), and their…

Please read these verses in your own Bible or on line at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A+20-26&version=NIV The notes are mine. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death….

Please read these verses in your own Bible or online (Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A+15-19&version=NIV The notes are from my studies. v 15-18a Paul is not naïve. He sees that some preach out of love and some out of competitive envy and ambition. But it doesn’t matter; he lets God sort out the motives and keeps his…

Please read these verses in your own Bible or online at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A+12-14&version=NIV The notes are mine. v 12 Paul takes the long view, seeing what happens to him through God’s eyes. (What has happened to him? Arrest, 2-year imprisonment, 4 trials. An appeal to Caesar (his right as a Roman citizen) sends him…

Please read these verses in your own Bible or online (Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A+7-11&version=NIV The notes are from my studies. v 7-8 Financial support, prayer support, friendship, fellow sharers of God’s grace. There is a special relationship between these Christians and Paul. Paul is not alone, whether imprisoned or on trial, for the Philippians share it…