The Message of Philippians (BST)

by J. Alec Motyer

Publisher:

IVP

, 1984

Overview

If you were in jail, what sort of letter would you write to your Christian friends? Would it focus on the difficulties—the poor food, cramped quarters and lonely isolation?

Paul's letter to the Philippians, written from prison, has no hint of self-pity. The letter radiates joy—joy that Christ was proclaimed, joy in fellowship with the Philippian Christians and, above all, joy in Jesus himself.

In this volume of the Bible Speaks Today series, Alec Motyer identifies three major themes that filled Paul's heart and mind as he wrote: the unity of the church, the person of Jesus and what he has achieved, and the call to live a life worthy of the gospel.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Contents

Top Highlights

“In this setting the daily task of obedience remains hard, but not fruitless. We are often neglectful, frequently failing, ever inadequate; yet the end is secure, for God is at work.” (Page 61)

“Paul’s repetition of the subject not only underlines its importance but lifts it to a higher level: unity is not just a useful weapon against the world, but rather it belongs to the very essence of Christian life, for it is the way in which Christians display outwardly what the gospel is and means to them. Unity is the gospel’s hallmark; it says to all who examine it, ‘This life is worthy of the gospel.’” (Page 102)

“It is not ‘Of what did he empty himself?’ but ‘Into what did he empty himself?’” (Page 113)

“This is the balance and testimony of the verses: the Christian life, growing in the likeness of Christ, is a blend of rest and activity—not alternating from one to the other, but a blend in which, at one and the same moment, the Christian is both resting confidently (for example, on what God is doing within) and actively pursuing (for example, the duty of being blameless).” (Page 126)

“But the present passage¹ uniquely unfolds the cross as seen through the eyes of the Crucified, and allows us to enter into the mind of Christ. We tread, therefore, on very holy ground indeed. We do well to remember that this privilege is given to us not to satisfy our curiosity but to reform our lives.” (Page 108)

Product Details

• Title: The Message of Philippians
• Author: J. Alec Motyer
• Series: The Bible Speaks Today
• Publisher: IVP
• Print Publication Date: 1984
• Logos Release Date: 2007
• Pages: 234
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Philippians › Commentaries
• Resource ID: LLS:BSTUS71PHP
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-24T16:19:04Z

About J. Alec Motyer

J. Alec Motyer (1924–2016) was a renowned Old Testament pastor and scholar. With extensive experience in parish ministry, he was principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England, and was well known as a Bible expositor. His books include The Prophecy of Isaiah, and he was the Old Testament editor of The Bible Speaks Today commentary series.

J. Alec Motyer

(1924–2016) was a renowned Old Testament pastor and scholar. With extensive experience in parish ministry, he was principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England, and was well known as a Bible expositor. His books include

The Prophecy of Isaiah

, and he was the Old Testament editor of The Bible Speaks Today commentary series.