Philippi had a remarkable congregation, bonded to the apostle Paul through longstanding ties of support and love. This is truly an epistle of love, also shedding much light on how to apply the Word to life, and to the practical service of Christ.

Paul prays that our love will overflow, leading us to choose Christ’s interests in every aspect of life. Our spiritual journey consists of continuous choices – here they are. Right choosing keeps us genuine all the way, and gives rise to practical fruits that glorify God.

Paul is silenced by imprisonment for years, yet in Rome his witness stirs the entire emperor’s palace and guard, and moves the ‘underground’ church to new boldness. Learning from the tragedy of wrongly motivated preachers. Also, praying for preachers, and the challenge to magnify Christ by life or death.

Paul’s great profession challenges every believer. All we are and have is Christ’s – homes, possessions, abilities, and time. He is our standing, strength, joy and future. We live to prove Him in holiness, service and love, and here is how death is all gain for His people.

How greatly Paul longed to be with Christ! Do we have such love of the Lord? Here Paul shows how to increase in appreciation of Christ. He also urges believers to Gospel labour, honouring their heavenly citizenship standards (not compromising with the world, as some prescribe).

Paul shows that to think as a Christian needs the impetus of strong indebtedness to Christ. Urged by this, we can adopt spiritual values, particularly dis-self-esteem, plus outgoing care for others. Then we begin to resemble our Lord, who laid aside Heavenly glory for His people.

As God-and-Man Christ is elevated to the highest glory and given a name unutterable on earth, but known in Glory. A strongly uplifting study for believers is to explore this greatest name, not to identify it, but to grasp its significance and wonder.

Sanctification involves striving in obedience to God, by His power. Here are key striving texts, and an overview of the four departments of holy, spiritual living for which we are to strive. Here also is the apostle’s definition of conscientious effort.

To grow in appreciation of and delight in God’s commands provides motivation and zeal for obedience. Here is Paul’s counsel for advance and especially in the paramount duty of representing Christ by our lives, and lifting up the light of the Gospel.

The believer’s life is to be a conscious and willing sacrifice of love and service to God. Here is how we are to assess the condition of our church, and where it should be strong. Also, here are Paul’s indications of a future pastor.

The command to be happy as believers raises questions for all who suffer trials or have good cause for heaviness. Here is joy that exists alongside every hard experience, and how it is to be procured by reflection on key aspects of Christ and His work for us.

The need to protect the Gospel and the Church; the threefold nature of the enemy; how to worship in the Spirit, and glory in Christ; ‘flesh’ in the church today; human inventions in God’s work; and how to express the right kind of sympathy for the unsaved.

Paul’s famous gain and loss passage exposes false hopes for both salvation and earthly satisfaction. Some 30 years after his conversion, the apostle affirms the overwhelming superiority of knowing Christ. What he means is explored here, especially the experience of walking with Christ.

Having been saved thirty years, Paul speaks of knowing ongoing resurrection power in his life, continuing to conform his mind, heart and will to Christ. What about earthly interests and pursuits? How should we weigh and ration them to fulfil the sufferings of Christ for us?

Not only are the apostle’s church activities a pattern for churches of all ages, but his manner of life is also to be closely imitated by believers. Here are key passages highlighting aspects of character, to develop and encourage true progress in godliness.

The opposite of minding earthly things is to keep heavenly themes in view. Here is how we should express and experience our heavenly citizenship with its riches and benefits, and how this exalts Christ in our hearts, and gives us perspective for all situations.

To be named in this most magnificent register of grace cannot be bought, earned or inherited. How could Paul be so certain that his co-labourers were named there? ‘Eternal security’ as widely preached is dangerously wrong, but the security of ‘perseverers’ is assured by the Book.

The deepest and most glorious concept – a union determined from eternity, secured at Calvary, implemented at conversion, deepened through life and perfected in death. Here is how it is felt; with a pastoral survey of the departments and circumstances in which union is unmistakably experienced.

The apostle’s way to all-surmounting trust and strength despite trouble or prosperity. Here are six very distinctive steps that lead – by the sure promise of God –  to spiritual safety and assurance. Here also is a definition of the peace that far surpasses all understanding.

Here are the matters which should occupy the minds and plans of believers. ‘Whatsoever things are true’ refers to the spiritual realities which should be our chief concern, unless we are becoming pliable, indifferent and ambivalent concerning the service and standards of the Lord.

Paul has learned calm contentment of soul and how to obtain strength from Christ in every situation. Violence, sickness and poverty may abase, while revelations and blessing bring other dangers. Here are ‘five points of contentment’ that secure Christ’s presence and power in all events.

Paul speaks about God providing our needs, not supplying excessive earthly rewards, as the prosperity heretics claim. Here are the conditions. God’s ‘riches in glory’ are here defined, also how all glory should be His, not directed at human instruments.