Previous Lesson
For more background, please see the previous lessons on Philippians 1:1-6 (“Thank God For Christian Coworkers“), Philippians 1:18b-21 (“Life is God!“), Philippians 2:12-16 (“Keep Working Out! You’ll Be A Star!“), Philippians 4:12-13 (“Christian Content(ment)“), as well as the video below:
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Progress Even though Paul was a prisoner for the Lord (Php 1:13-14; cf. Ac 28:16; Eph 4:1, 6:20; etc.), his circumstances caused the Gospel to advance/make ___ (Php 1:12). And he prioritizes the joyful ___ of the Philippians’ faith (Php 1:25; cf. Php 1:9-11, 3:12-14; 1 Tim 4:7-8, 15).
Son God the Father works everything out for our good so we can be more and more like His ___ (Rom 8:28-29; cf. Php 1:9-11).
Gain To Paul, to live is Christ and to die is ___ (Php 1:21; cf. Php 1:23).
Flesh Though the “____” often refers to our sinful, human nature (Gal 5:19-21; Rom 7:18, etc.), here living in the ___ means continuing to live physically on earth (Php 1:22).
Work If Paul continues to live, he knows that will mean more opportunity for fruitful ___ in service of Christ (Php 1:22). We all must ___ out our salvation as God ___s in us (Php 2:12-13; cf. Php 1:6, 2:25, 30).
Depart Paul prefers to ____ from his physical life on earth and live spiritually with Christ in heaven (Php 1:23; cf. 2 Cor 5:6, 8; 1 Th 5:10). This would precede the bodily resurrection of our bodies on the Last Day (1 Cor 15:51-55; Php 3:20-21; 1 Th 4:13-18).
Sorrow Even though life in heaven with Christ is better by far (Php 1:23), Christians can still feel ____ when Christian co-workers go to their heavenly home (Php 2:27; cf. Jn 11:35; Rom 12:15).
Necessary Despite his personal desires (Php 1:23), Paul rhetorically chooses to do what is more ____ for the Philippians’ progress in the faith (Php 1:24-25).
Others Following the example of Christ (Php 2:5f.) and Paul (1 Cor 11:1; Php 3:17, 4:9), we should have a humble mindset that seeks not merely our own interests, but the interests of ___ (Php 1:23-24, 2:3-4).
Boast Paul’s return to the Philippians would be a basis for them to ___ in Christ Jesus (Php 1:26). Paul wants to be able to ____/take pride in His faithful converts/co-workers on the Last Day (Php 2:16; cf. 2 Cor 1:13-14, 7:4, 9:2, 3; 1 Th 2:19-20). Ultimately, if anyone does ____, they should ____ in the Lord (Jer 9:23-24; 1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17; Gal 6:14; Php 3:3) for the work He has done in/through them (Gal 6:4; Php 2:12-13).
Bibliography
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- Balz, Horst Robert, and Gerhard Schneider. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990–. [EDNT]
- Black, David Alan. It’s Still Greek to Me: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Intermediate Greek. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998.
- Comfort, Philip. “Philippians”. In Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. Vol. 16. Harold W. Hoehner, Philip W. Comfort, and Peter H. Davids. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
- Everts, Janet Meyer. “Philippians”. In The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Edited by Gary M. Burge and Andrew E. Hill. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012.
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- Gurtner, Daniel M. “Philippians.” In The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: Acts–Philemon, edited by Craig A. Evans and Craig A. Bubeck, First Edition., 573–86. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2004.
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- Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Second Edition. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014.
- Loh, I-Jin, and Eugene Albert Nida. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. UBS Handbook Series. New York: United Bible Societies, 1995. [UBS]
- Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996. [LN]
- Martin, Ralph P. Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 11. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987.
- Melick, Richard R. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Vol. 32. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991.
- Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek: Grammar. Edited by Verlyn D. Verbrugge. Third Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009.
- Motyer, J. A. The Message of Philippians. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984.
- Porter, Stanley E. Idioms of the Greek New Testament. Sheffield: JSOT, 1999.
- Silva, Moisés, ed. New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014. [NIDNTTE]
- Silva, Moisés. Philippians. 2nd ed. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005.
- Thielman, Frank. Philippians. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.
- Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.
- Witherington, Ben, III. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Company, 2011.