How To Study A Bible Passage (part 1)
40 Days In The Word - Part 4
The key to Bible Study is asking good questions.
PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone else looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.”
I. OBSERVATION: What does it say?
- Paul intends to send two men to Philippi
vs. 19 “I hope to send you Timothy”
vs. 25 “I think it is necessary to send Epaphroditus back to you.”
- Paul endorsed these guys as role models
vs. 20 (Timothy) “I have no one else like him!”
vs. 29 (Epaphroditus) “Welcome him... HONOR men like him.”
- What does it mean to be like these men? What are they like?
vs. 20-21 “takes a genuine interest”
vs. 22 “has proved himself”
vs. 25 “my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier”
vs. 26 “longs for all of you and is distressed”
vs. 27-30 “almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life”
II. INTERPRETATION: What does it mean?
1. A Godly Man is Caring
VS. 21 “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone elselooks out for his own interests…”
(TEV) “genuinely cares for you … others only care about themselves”
(Ph) “...they are all wrapped up in their own affairs...”
2. A Godly man is Consistent
VS. 22 “Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father, he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”
(GW) “...you know what kind of person Timothy proved to be.”
3. A Godly man is Cooperative.
vs. 25 “I send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”
(GN) “...he has worked and fought by my side”
4. A Godly Man is Considerate.
vs. 26 “For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.”
5. A Godly Man is Courageous
VS.27+30 “Indeed he was ill, and almost died...he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you couldn’t give me.”
III. CORRELATION: Is there anything else in the Bible that will help me understand this passage?
Timothy: 1 & 2 Timothy Epaphroditus Ph. 4:14-18
IV. APPLICATION
S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.
Personal Practical Possible Provable
For Further Study Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word by Rick Warren
