Transcript Johanssen Philippians 2-12-18

Philippians 2:12-18
Shining as Lights in the World
If we are to understand v. 14
with vv 12-13, then. . .
Who are the Philippians obeying?
 To whom are the Philippians to act
with “fear and trembling”?
 How does one work out “your own
salvation”?
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Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without
grumbling or arguing, so that you may be
blameless and pure, children of God without
blemish though you live in a crooked and
perverse society, in which you shine as lights in
the world.
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How is Paul picturing Christian
existence in comparison to the
surrounding culture?
Philippi
Philippi is located about 9 mi. [14 km.] inland (north) of Neapolis (modern Kavala). It was
founded in the fourth century B.C. After the battle of Philippi, in 42 B.C., veterans of the Roman
legions were settled there and in 27 B.C. the city became a Roman Colony. It was an important
city of Macedonia, and the main highway from the east that headed towards Rome, the 493 mi.
[790 km.] long Via Egnatia, ran through the city.
On his Second Missionary Journey Paul visited the city (around A.D. 50–51) and there Lydia
and the jailor, and their households, were converted to Christianity. Paul and Silas were unjustly
imprisoned but were soon released by the magistrates of the city (Acts 16:12–40). Paul again
visited the city on his Third Journey (Acts 20:20). During one of his imprisonments (probably in
Rome in A.D. 61) Paul wrote "Philippians" to the church at Philippi.
Roman Culture
Governed under the Roman Law
 Place of retired Roman officials
 Commercial center of area

Excavations of Philippi -- Archaeological work has revealed a large
and well-preserved forum, a theater, the alleged jail of Paul and
several Byzantine churches, including one of the earliest churches
known in Greece.
Do the Christians live apart
from the rest of society or
intermixed?
Religious diversity
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Inhabitants both Roman citizens and non citizens
Roman gods—Jupiter and Mars had their cults
Thracian goddess Bendis—very popular
Sanctuaries to gods from Egypt
Sanctuaries to Cybele, a Phrygian goddess
Jewish synagogue apparently located just outside
the city walls (Acts 16:13)
First European Christian community established by
Paul in ca. 50 (Acts 16:12-40)
Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without
grumbling or arguing, so that you may be
blameless and pure, children of God without
blemish though you live in a crooked and
perverse society, in which you shine as lights in
the world.
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May be blameless and innocent NRS
May be blameless and harmless KJV
May be blameless and sincere DRA
Will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent NAU
May become blameless and pure NIV
Remain faultless and pure NJB
No one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent NLT
Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without
grumbling or arguing, so that you may be
blameless and pure, children of God without
blemish though you live in a crooked and
perverse society, in which you shine as lights in
the world.

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Shine—present indicative, indicating continual action “In
which you continue to shine . . .”
Dt. 32 God suggests that the Israelites became like the
people around them as they lost their identity.
Therefore, Christians are “in the world, but not of the
world” so their lights shine in the world.
Bibliography

The Harper Collins Bible Dictionary. Paul J. Achtemeier, editor.
Harper San Francisco,1996.
http://www.holylandphotos.org/browse.asp?s=1,4,12,21,329
http://www.bibleplaces.com/philippi.htm

Thursten, Bonnie B. and Judith M. Ryan, Philippians and
Philemon. Sacra Pagina Series, Vo. 10, Liturgical Press., 2005.