_________________________________________________________

Enhanced Notes from R. B. Thieme, Jr.’s

1976 Philippians series

The initial text will be from the Berean Literal Bible (BLB); followed, after the Greek exegesis, by R. B. Thieme, Jr.’s corrected translation.

These sets of notes vary considerably. Whereas, some sets of notes have nearly a word-for-word rendering of Bob’s teaching (at least in most sections); Philippians is not like that. There are long periods of time in ths set of notes where Bob is speaking, but no notes were taken. My notes are not always up to level to the person who took the notes for these various sets of books.

Philippians is also a very unusual study by Bob, as he did not cover these chapters in order altogether in the same study. Bob apparently did a study of Philippians in 1972, and then decided to do a better job in 1975 and 1976.

Philippians 1 (lessons #1–29; 5/3–31/1976);

Philippians 2 (lessons #33–70; 3/17/1976–5/2/1976 and 02/03/1972);

Philippians 3 (lessons #71–92; 2/17/1972 and 12/19/1975–1/8/1976);

Philippians 4 (lessons #93–116; 2/18/1976–3/16/1976).

Philippians 3 came from Bob’s 1975 2Timothy series (lessons #60–65, 69–80). Bob also appears to have covered the entire Philippians 3 in the 1985 Ephesians series. He covered most or all of Philippians 3 in 1974 in his series on Hebrews. Philippians 4 is covered in Bob’s 1972 supergrace series (lessons #1–9).

Doctrines in Philippians:

Aorist Tenses

Ascension and Session

Blessings of Supergrace

The Book of Life

Category One Love

Circumcision

Crowns

The Crowns

The Deity of Jesus Christ

Divine Attributes

Divine Essence

Divine Establishment

Dogs

Judaizers Called Dogs

Dogs (in Philippians 3:1)

Dung

Enemyship

Epaphroditus

Eternal Decorations

Faith

Giving

Giving (1976)

Grace

Greek Drama

Greek Drama Vocabulary Used in the New Testament

Hang-ups

Happiness

Happiness (2)

The Doctrine of Happiness (Revised)

Human Good

The Hypostatic Union

Impeccability

Importance of Bible Doctrine

The Ingredients of a Good Congregation

Jealousy

Kenosis

Knowing and Applying Doctrine

Motivation

Logistical Grace

Memory

Mental Attitude

Mental Attitude (2)

Metamorphisms

Morality

Occupation with Christ

Occupation with Christ (2)

The Pauline Modus Operandi

Positional Truth

Prayer

Prepared Pastor

Propitiation

The Rapture of the Church

Reconciliation

Redemption

Resurrection

Sacrifices of the Royal Priesthood

Stages of Reversionism

The Power of His Resurrection

The Royal Family of God

The Royalty of Jesus Christ

Royalty of Jesus Christ

Running

Salt

Sin unto Death

The Social Life of the Royal Family

The Soul Is the Battleground of the Angelic Conflict

Spiritual Maturity

Spirituality

Surpassing Grace

Temporary Gifts

The Doctrine of Thanksgiving

Timothy

Ultra-supergrace

The Virgin Birth

Walking

Witnessing

Worry

1976 Philippians                                                                                            Lesson #1

1 05/03/1976 Philippians 1:1a Timothy's 201 file; Cpt. Howard's brief report

Captain Howard speaks; and he is the most decorated man in US history.

Bob backed into this book, covering various chapters already, and now covering chapter 1 (Bob will not teach the entire book from scratch, but just piece together these previous studies in their order).

Supergrace A is paragraph 2 with the five sets of blessings. We enjoy some R&R for awhile, but then we saddle up and go through no man’s land for supergrace B and then to ultra supergrace.

Alpha grace is everything that we need in order to get to supergrace.

Bravo grace is the logistical support at this point. You carry your wealth, promotion, and leadership dynamics with you. We also see the various decorations traveling with the believer. The no man’s land of supergrace B.

No one can exceed the spiritual growth of his pastor.

The Roman army gave out their decorations, they at retirement were given some money and a certain amount of land. They had a bronze arm band and a silver arm band, both like the bronze star and the silver star. Three types of medals of honor for them. Every decoration in the Roman army meant considerable higher pay.

The Romans had a very realistic attitude when it came to the military.

Retired officers and noncommissioned officers came to Philippi to live.

Beautiful and famous women in Philippi. Paul has recovered and is moving toward supergrace. He is about to get the bravo cross and the ultra cross. This epistle brings the supergrace believer into ultra supergrace.

A sick society is always soft on the criminal soft on the communist; and they are anti-military; and they are anti-police. The greatness of the supergrace believer is to puncture the sick society. There are only spiritual solutions. This is a maximum of supergrace believers. Rome will move to a new system of leaders. Great leaders for the seoncd century.

Chapter 1

Philippi was the city the Romans had re-established for the purpose of taking its retired military and putting them there, and giving them rewards. At the time of writing the Romans had a system whereby any Roman soldier who won a decoration was given a certain amount of money and, at the time of his retirement, a certain amount of land. They were retired in grand style. So it will be understood that the basic group of people in the Philippian church were retired military personnel. They also had some Jews and some Greeks.

There are three paragraphs in this chapter. Paragraph one: the super-grace congregation at Philippi, verses 1-11; paragraph two: the super-grace prisoner of war [Paul], verses 12-19; paragraph three: verses 20-30, the anticipation of ultra super-grace.

Greeting

Philippians 1:1  Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus being in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:  (BLB)

Verse 1 – “Paul.” Paûlos (Παλος) [pronounced POW-loss] is a Roman surname.

Praenomen is the given name, separates him from other family members. Publius or Gais or Lucius. Next is the nomen, the name of the tribe. Cornelius, Julius (the Julian tribe). Then the cognomen, which is the family name. Skipio, Cæsar, Julius Cæsar took the surname Emperor. Lucius Domicius Hannabarbas (known as Nero). The Hannabarbaras were very tough and cruel and occasionally smart.

Paul’s full name was Saul Benjamin Tarsus. Paulos is the name which he added as his sir-name. Their sir-names became their praenomens it is rare for a sir name to become the praenomen for someone, but this is true of Paul and of Nero.

By the grace of God, I am what I am, and this is why Paul’s sir-name became his praenomen. The security of the believer does not depend upon any temporal concept. Nothing can cause us to die until the Lord is ready to take us.

God is responsible to keep us alive as royal family. God enjoys blessing with great prosperity members of the royal family of God. God loves to promote the supergrace believer above his peers.

Paul is the human author. God the Holy Spirit is the origin of all Scripture as communicated to Paul. Paul inhaled that pertinent information; then he exhaled the content of the letter to the Philippians. This was the divine message to the Philippian church, which now comes to Berachah Church.

Paul felt differently about his different congregations. God the Holy Spirit uses Paul’s toughness to speak to the Corinthians, and his compassion and love to speak to the Philippians. The passages that deal with the inhale concept, from the Holy Spirit to the human writers - 2Samuel 23:2,3 Isaiah 59:21 Jeremiah 1:9 Matthew 22:42,43 Mark 12:36 Acts 4:24,25 28:25. The exhale: the human writers took the information, the doctrine, and they communicated it in writing. They thought in a language, they wrote in that language. The human writers of scripture so wrote that without waiving their human intelligence, their vocabulary, their personality, their individuality, their personal feelings, and their actual thoughts regarding the recipients and the subject matter; God's complete message to man was permanently recorded in writing with perfect accuracy in the original languages of scripture. What we have in Philippians is exactly what God the Holy Spirit wanted the believers in Philippi to know, particularly those on the verge of cracking the maturity barrier.

He gets his five paragraph field order, here is where he gets the order to follow me.

Paul does not mention his Apostleship to the Philippians.

The former pastor is mentioned. “Timótheos (Τιμόθεος) [pronounced tee-MOTH-eh-oss]” – [theos (θεός) [pronounced theh-OSS] = God; timê (τιμή, ς, ἡ) [pronounced tih-MAY or tee-MAY] = honour], he who honours God.

1976 Philippians                                                                                            Lesson #2

2 05/04/1976 Philippians 1; Psalm 84:1–12 The promotion psalm

The Day before Yesterday, book by TR’s wife.

Paul and Timothy are about to enter into the no man’s land of supergrace b.

Psalm 84:1 How loved are Your dwelling places [this is where the believer is taught doctrine; mature believers must stay with a mature pastor. Some pastor out of Berachah does not understand why he is not embraced by all of the tapers of his region, it is because he is still green, and his potential congregation is actually ahead of him; so they would not place themselves with a pastor who is not as advanced. No believer ever exceeds the spiritual maturity of his own pastor. When you have advanced, Bible doctrine is your #1 priority. You love the place where you get it. You are not always happy while you are there.],

Lord of armies! This phrase is found 4x in this passage and that is because the military is the source of the freedom of any client nation. You must be free to go to the place where Bible doctrine is taught. David would hear doctrine at the Tabernacle; at his own tent; when a prophet is speaking.

Psalm 84:2 My soul longed [intensive love, even positive volition] and even yearned [this verb indicates personal motivation; you apply that desire for teaching to experience, so that you get under the teaching of the wog] for the courts of the Lord [the place of doctrinal instruction in the Old Testament; the outer courts of the Tabernacle; the prophets and the priests would communicate doctrine there. You cannot advance spiritually by working. Witnessing and prayer are the result of growth, and not the means of growth];

My right lobe and my flesh [a reference to the body; the soul must be in the body to be alive] rejoice over the living God [This is sharing God’s +H; this is when we reach the perimeter of supergrace A, where we receive paragraph SG2].

Bob does not like birds or flowers (except in hunting season). He does like the buzzard and he cleans up the desert or the wilderness. A guy on a hunting trip tried to kill a buzzard and Bob clocked him. Or a vulture, which is a super-buzzard. He also likes them because they are ugly.

Bob is also an admirer or the hawk. He likes the eagle as the emblem of the United States.

Psalm 84:3 The bird also has found a house [this illustrates a believer finding security; he find his own right pastor] [sparrows are seed-ickers and they make their nests low to the ground and they are hidden by their look; they camaflauge] [we are never secure as believers unless we get with doctrine. It is a tough world on the believer who does not make Bible doctrine his #1 priority.],

And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may put her young [The swallow is another helpless bird; they are vulnerable birds outside of their nests; this is the believer with Bible doctrine; it is like the swallow in its nest.]:

Your altars [This is where Bible doctrine is taught.], Lord of armies,

My King and my God.

Psalm 84:4 Happinesses [the five categories of blessings] are those who dwell in Your house! [the daily, consistent function of gap]

They [mature believers] are ever praising You [there is occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ]. Selah The have a soul and you enjoy the things in your life. Jesus Christ is the key to everything in life. The Levites were professional singers; they practiced all day long. The chiors are amateurs. They cannot harmonize like the Four Freshmen. Selah means, the chior stops singing and the band plays on. If singers can rest their voices, we can rest our souls that God will carry the ball for us.

Psalm 84:5 Happinesses are to the man whose power is vested in You, [doctrine resident in the soul]

In whose heart are the roads to Zion! Or, the highways to maturity.

Psalm 84:6 Passing through the Valley of Baca [tears; this is the most difficult stage of spiritual growth; God allows other believers to act as interference.] they make it to the well; [or to the final objective of the supergrace life]

The early rain also covers it with blessings.

Psalm 84:7 They go from power to power,

Each one in Zion is seen [or, supported] by Elohim. After believing in Jesus Christ, we are under the support of God. We are walking around with the security of God. We have the perfect security in life.

The worst con-game in the world is social security.

Psalm 84:8 O Lord God of armies, hear my prayer;

Listen, God of Jacob! Selah Look, You took care of the worst jerk who lived; so You can take care of me. This is a prayer approach. Jacob did grow up and his name was changed.

Psalm 84:9 See our shield [protection and security; and this is Bible doctrine in the soul of the believer], God,

Therefore, regard with respect Your appointed one. Every believer is appointed by God. We are appointed as royal family forever.

Psalm 84:10 For a day in Your courts [this is Bible class; or a day in Berachah Bible class] is better than a thousand days elsewhere [in a bordello, or, with someone that you love madly; in the 20^th century, there is no romance, there is no romantic love anymore.].

I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God

Than dwell in the tents of evil. The mature believer has the correct perspective.

Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun [the sun is the blessing of warmth and energy; and Bible doctrine in the soul gives you warmth and energy; this means that the Lord is your capacity for life.] and shield [security of the shield. ];

The Lord gives grace and promotion [Paul and Timothy were two promoted believers. The worst thing in the world is to become a frustrated old person. Humility is no hangups in the soul; it is the lack of subjectivity in the soul. Subjectivity in the soul means that you are arrogant.];

He withholds no good thing [God will not hold back the divine good; He will not hold back those categories of blessing, logistical grace, etc.] from those who walk with integrity [or, honor, as a result of doctrine in the soul.]. Bob grew up in a generation where your word was your bond. That was their honor code. The gentleman’s code is, never be guilty of kiss and tell. Men are never to gossip about women. A lady’s name would never be dragged out, except in a very respectful way, even if she were the town whore. Bob authored the honor code for the Army Air Corp; and he held a school in order to teach this to the soldiers.

Psalm 84:12 O Lord of armies, [Freedom comes from miltary victory.]

Happinesses to the man who trusts in You!

1976 Philippians                                                                                            Lesson #3

3 05/05/1976 Philippians l:1b Table of organization: Military, local church

Bob gives the medal of honor citation of a man who lives n Crosby, TX.

Greeting

Philippians 1:1  Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus being in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:  (BLB)

Professionalism are those who work whatever hours are necessary.

The Master is the Lord Jesus Christ, and both Paul and Timothy were happy to be slaves to God.

“servants of Jesus Christ” – the nominative plural from doulos (δολος) [pronounced DEW-loss], translated “slaves.” “Slaves of Jesus Christ” is an anarthrous construction and it calls attention to the uniqueness of the profession. These are pastors, communicators of doctrine, and they are responsible to God. This is brought out by the absence of the definite article. All pastors are slaves. This means that the master of the slaves, Jesus Christ, is totally responsible for their provision, their blessing, their term of office, and their authority in the local church. Slavery therefore becomes the best form of life when Jesus Christ is the master, and it is a form of life for pastors only.

Whatever we do, we do unto the Lord. The pastor is not responsible to his congregation; he is responsible to God. The pastor concentrates on doing his job; and he depends upon his Master to provide the things which he needs.

The believers in the congregation must be free to choose; the slaves must work. Bob is a slave, but he outranks anyone in the local church. For him, slavery is the best form of life.

Being royal family means that you have privacy. When you walk into the local church, no matter what you are on the outside, you are a peon inside the auditorium. You are a student without portfolio.

There were very successful types who attended Philippi.

“to all” – dative plural indirect object from the adjective pás (πάς) [pronounced pahs], which means all of the congregation are merged for the moment into one lump. With it is a noun, hagios (ἅγιος) [pronounced HA-gee-oss], correctly translated “saints.”^[1]; We are all saints; we are all royal family. There is one requirement for saints, that they eat daily. This is the way that God gives us prosperity. God’s objective is to give us His prosperity without brown-nosing anyone; without having to ingratiate yourself to anyone else. The successful believers receive this from God.

We are under a Constitution which provides certain freedoms. When we believed in Jesus Christ we became royalty. We advance or we fail as royal family.

“in Christ Jesus” – en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the locative of Iêsous (̓Ιησος) [pronounced ee-ay-SOOCE] Christos (χριστός) [pronounced krees-TOHSS]. The point of equality among believers is the point of union with Christ.

“which are” is the articular present active participle from eimi (εἰμί) [pronounced eye-ME]. The definite article is used for a relative pronoun to describe the royal family of God located in a specific place—at Philippi. The present tense is the present of duration, it denotes what was begun in the past and continues into the present time. The participle is circumstantial which expresses attendant circumstances and gives us an additional fact or thought.

“at Philippi” – en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the locative, and this is the prepositional phrase which emphasizes the concept that as long as you live on this earth you have to be somewhere, and when you are in the local church and assembled you are recognized as royal family. The objective of the local church is to provide a classroom for the transmission of Bible doctrine from the page of the Word of God to your individual souls, under the authority of the pastor-teacher.

“with the bishops” – another title for the pastor-teacher. This is the preposition sun (σύν) [pronounced soon] plus the instrumental of epískopos (ἐπίσκοπος) [pronounced ep-IS-kohp-oss]. It originally meant “overseer” but it also means “guardian.” This is a guardian who not only protects the people but he has a system that protects the people. The pastor-teacher is the top authority but he must also have a system functioning under him so that the congregation is properly administered when it is brought together. The pastor is the guardian of a system as well as the ruler of the congregation.

You must have a background of being under authority; where you learn the principle of authority. Where you are under unfair authority. You need someone who kicks you about and it is unfair and wrong. That is what you need.

Bob recommends Tombs of Glory with a very rough leader who was not always fair. They brought in ahead of him, the son of the former colonel of the regiment. At the end of the movie, the son commits suicide. He could not handle it.

As a pastor-teacher, you need a certain toughness of soul. The most important thing is your responsibility.

Keeping taboos do not advance a believer one inch in the Christian life.

What we do on the outside is not Bob’s problem.

Bob talks about what a pastor does in a church by setting policy.

“and deacons” – diakonos (διάκονος) [pronounced dee-AK-on-oss]. The deacons serve the system, but they do not set policy.

Bob illustrates with the military.

Translation so far:

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints [royal family of God] in Christ Jesus who are located at Philippi, together with bishop-guardians and deacons:...

1976 Philippians                                                                                            Lesson #4

4 05/06/1976 Philippians 1:2a Doctrine of grace (revised, pts. 1–4a)

The pastor-teacher wears two hats: he teaches and he sets policy for the local church. He is the guardian of the system and the ruler of the congregation. Any system which has a system and personnel must be able to oversee both things.

Philippians 1:2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  (BLB)

This next verse is more complex than it appears. Charis precedes human history and it will continue throughout human history. We will discuss the words grace and peace; and determine why the Holy Spirit was left out of this verse.

This doctrine of grace came from NB2; and seems to track reasonably well with Bob’s teaching in Philippians. Notes were added into this study from Philippians. There were a lot of additional sub-points in this study not found in the later doctrine of grace (the one which is below). It is clear that there is a vast additional material in these lessons of Philippians. I don’t know that this material on grace is covered anywhere else by Bob. Quite frankly, I made more of a mess of things by trying to make this doctrine work with the points that Bob gave in this study.

1976 Philippians                                                                                            Lesson #5

5 05/07/1976 Philippians 1:2a Doctrine of grace (pts. 4–8); logistical grace

Three guys are at the front. Men from Vietnam. Sgt. Bacon. His life has been changed by Bible doctrine. Sgt. Howard was told to be always ready. A third guy. The previous guys were medal of honor recipients. Sounds like his first time in Berachah Church. The principle of freedom through military victory.

We are picking up with the stages of grace in the doctrine above.

The notes on logistical grace do not match those in NB2.

Bob did not go very far with this doctrine.

1976 Philippians                                                                                            Lesson #6

6 05/09/1976 Philippians 1; Job 5:19–27 Doctrine of grace (cont.); dying grace

Last night, they watched the movie “My Fair Lady” which is based upon an ancient myth. This guy was interested in his perfect match, and the women there did not enough for him.

A lot between and a man and a woman is greater than death. Psalm 102 118. Reversionism is miserable eand horrible. The Philippians are right behind Paul; they are right on his heels. No person exceeds the spiritual growth of his own pastor.

Certain passages only apply when you are in supergrace. The death of His godly ones is a reference to one stage of spiritual maturity. It is a high priority for God to deal with the deaths of supergrace believers.

Ask yourself that, when you were under pressure in supergrace, were you happy/ it goes from logistical grace to dying grace quite quickly.

Job 5:19 In six disasters He will save you;

Even in seven, evil will not touch you.

OSHA is filled with evil. We are here under logistical grace.

Job 5:20 In famine He will redeem you from death,

And in war, from the power of the sword.

Job 5:21 You will be hidden [g]from the scourge of the tongue,

And you will not be afraid of violence when it comes.

Job 5:22 You will laugh at violence and hunger,

And you will not be afraid of [h]wild animals.

Job 5:23 For you will be in league with the stones of the field,

And the animals of the field will be at peace with you.

Job 5:24 You will know that your tent is secure,

For you will visit your home and [i]have nothing missing.

Job 5:25 You will also know that your [j]descendants will be many,

And your offspring as the grass of the earth.

Job 5:26 You will come to the grave at a ripe age,

Like the stacking of grain in its season. There is a right time to pick corn. God decides when it is time for us to have our pcs (permanent change of station). In the military, you know when you are going to get a pcs.

Job 5:27 Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is.

Hear it, and know for yourself." Dying grace is your time on earth coming to an end.

Verse 2 – “Grace to you [dative of advantage; for your benefit].”

In fou nights, we have explained v. 2a.

1976 Philippians                                                                                            Lesson #7

7 05/09/1976 Philippians 1:2b Concept of prosperity; 5 categories of supergrace blessing

“and peace” – the ascensive kaí (καί) [pronounced kī], also used as an emphatic kaí (καί) [pronounced kī]. In the emphatic use it is translated “and so.” The next word is a direct result of grace. The word “peace” is not world peace, peacefulness or tranquillity. It was taken from the Hebrew originally—shalom. Brought into the Greek it is eirênê (εἰρήνη, ης, ἡ) [pronounced eye-RAY-nay]. It means “prosperity.” While it is used as a salutation in the Greek language, that is not its meaning here in any sense of the word—”and so prosperity.” This is grace prosperity. Prosperity here refers to the attainment of mature status. The Philippians at the time of writing were mature believers, and as a result of this they were now under the logistical support of grace which included a lot of prosperity. As a result they were enjoying this prosperity under great pressures. This was more than a mere salutation. “Grace to you, and so prosperity” is an entire way of life. Prosperity is a part of spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, and it is one of the ways in which Jesus Christ is glorified in the devil’s world. God can only give prosperity to those who have the capacity for it. You either have capacity for prosperity or you have capacity for discipline. If you are in reversionism you have capacity for discipline. If you are in maturity, then you only have capacity for prosperity.

In a greeting, Bob says, “What do you say?” People do not immediately tell him everything on their mind, as it is just a way of saying hello.

No such thing as a good British lover; and if he was, he probably took on a French name.

Bob expounds on My Fair Lady. The American, Higgins, was an arrogant American.

Our capacity must have a place to express itself. Freedom is necessary in order for us to express capacity for life. God provides friends, loved ones, success, and prosperity. God provides for us in our capacity area; it keeps us from being frustrated. God provides the environment of prosperity; you can even have culture which you appreciate. Freedom from crime, freedom from idiocy. It is a demand from God. When you crack the maturity barrier, your capacity must have a place to go.

The Christian who is suffering for Jesus who cannot stand prosperity. They do not realize the basic principle of Bible doctrine, that capacity for life must have a place to go.

We can choose for doctrine or we can choose for discipline. So David said, “My cup overflows.” Does this mean that he had a careless waiter? He had wealth, he had promotion, he had wine, women and song; everything which we could construe as god never leaves anyone with an empty cup. No mature believer is a beggar. “Grace will pursue me for the rest of my life.”

The possibilities of our future when in supergrace A; and when we move across no man’s land, we take our prosperity with us. When you cross over into ultra supergrace, capacity comes from Bible doctrine in the soul.

There are abilities that come with Bible doctrine. How to face suffering and pressures in life. Ability to interpret current events in the light of the Word of God. Bob could distinguish the different laughs Saturday night, and they were happy laughs.

Temporal blessings. Not the most important. When on the outside looking in, they seem to be the most important. We do not all get the exact same blessings. Many of you will be very wealthy; and when you crack the maturity barrier, you will not lack. Promotion is handled separately in one’s sphere of life. Never push it; sit back and wait. Success and rapport. Sexual prosperity and find your rw or rm. You must have the capacity first. Mental ability; increased IQ and perspicacity. Blessing by association; blessing by relationship; not simply blessed by material things, but by your thoughtfulness. The loved one periphery.

Fourth category. All of the promises and all of the lies of the politicians in this election year. There is one thing which can save us. All of these places could be saved if a few believers in each of these countries progresses to spiritual maturity.

Capacity for life means to live beautifully and then to also die beautifully. If you have capacity for life, you will also have capacity for dying.

Philippians 1:20–21 According to my intense concentration on doctrine and resultant confidence that in nothing will I be disgraced....even now as always, Christ will be exhaulted by my person, by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

“from God our Father” – the preposition apó (ἀπό) [pronounced aw-PO] plus the ablative denotes ultimate source. We have the ablative of source mentioned as God—theos (θεός) [pronounced theh-OSS]. Then comes a genitive singular of apposition, patêr (πατήρ) [pronounced pat-AYR]—”from God our Father.” The source of all logistical grace is God the Father, the author of the divine plan of grace. This is an anarthrous construction in which there are no definite articles, even though we put one in in the English, and the reason is because of the qualitative aspect of the source. Notice that the source is very personal, for we have the possessive genitive plural from the personal pronoun egô; hêmn (ἡμόν) [pronounced hay-MOHN]—”our Father.” For all members of the royal family God is our Father.

“and” – here is the way we enter the plan of God. Here is the door by which we enter—the cross; “the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the connective use of kaí (καί) [pronounced kī], plus the ablative of kurios (κύριος) [pronounced KOO-ree-oss], used here for the deity of Christ; the ablative of Iêsous (̓Ιησος) [pronounced ee-ay-SOOCE]j, used for the humanity of Christ; the ablative of Christos (χριστός) [pronounced krees-TOHSS], used for the messianic appointment of Christ. Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, is also said to be the source of grace and prosperity, along with the Father. The Father is the logistical supply; Jesus Christ is the door. Notice that there is no reference to God the Holy Spirit. This is the dispensation of the royal family of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in this dispensation is to glorify Jesus Christ, therefore He is not mentioned in verses such as these.

Philippians 1:2 Grace to you, and so prosperity, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

At this point the apostle who has lived a very full life has the opportunity of pausing to give way to a great principle called “memory.”

1976 Philippians                                                                                            Lesson #8

8 05/10/1976 Philippians 1:3 Doctrine of memory

To be alone, you must have capacity for life. You carry your soul with you wherever you go and when you stop carrying it, you are dead.

Bob does not know how anyone gets along in life without imagination and a good memory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Philippians 1:3  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,... (BLB)

Verse 3 – “I thank my God” is the beginning of a wonderful memory, and it starts in the right direction because this implies first of all a good set of priorities, a good scale of values. Who wants to be remembered by someone who has no priorities, whose scale of values is all wrong?

“I thank” is the present active indicative of the verb eucharisteô (εὐχαριστέω) [pronounced yew-khahr-ih-STEH-oh] [eû (ε) [pronounced yoo] = good; charis (χάρις) [pronounced KHAHR-iç] = grace], and the word “good grace” comes to connote gratitude. Grace oriented people have gratitude, appreciation, capacity. It means here to be mindful of benefits, therefore to be thankful, and it is correctly translated “I am giving thanks.” This is a customary present tense which denotes what habitually occurs when a person like Paul is in maturity, has great capacity for life. The Philippians were the greatest of memories to Paul; he loved them dearly. He remembers his association with them and obviously he remembers their positive volition toward Bible doctrine. The active voice: Paul as a teacher produces the action of the verb. He remembers them in a very special way at this time. The indicative mood is declarative for the historical reality of thanksgiving based upon the fact that these people are a pleasant memory. His high priority: “my God” – dative of indirect object from the definite article and from the noun theos (θεός) [pronounced theh-OSS]. There is also the possessive genitive singular from the personal pronoun egô (ἐγώ) [pronounced ehg-OH]; mou (μο) [pronounced moo]; also emou (ἐμο) [pronounced eh-MOO]. Literally, “I am giving thanks to my God.”

Is there anyone who has a good memory of you?

Paul has a wonderful memory of the Philippians. He keeps his perspective.

“upon every remembrance” we have the preposition epí (ἐπί) [pronounced eh-PEE] plus the dative singular of pás (πάς) [pronounced pahs], and the noun mneía (μνεία) [pronounced MNI-ah], meaning “memory”—”for every memory.” Then the phrase, “of you”—genitive of reference plural from the personal pronoun su (σύ) [pronounced soo]. The form: humôn (ὑμν) [pronounced hoo-MONE].

Philippians 1:3 I am giving thanks to my God for every memory^[2] of you.

1976 Philippians                                                                                            Lesson #9

9 05/11/1976 Philippians 1:4–5 Doctrine of thanksgiving; pleasure of prayer

I am giving thanks indicates that we are speaking of thanksgiving. This doctrine will be covered again in Lesson #101. Some additional notes from that lesson are included below. The doctrines match up pretty well, but Bob reads off more verses in this one.

Some sort of accident takes place near Berachah and cleaning was involved.

We should be able to express our thoughts when it comes to freedom and thanksgiving. What we think is extremely important. Arrogant people never seem to be thankful for anything. It is more the idea of true appreciation for others. To be thoughtful of someone else, to be grateful for someone else

Philippians 1:4  always making the supplication with joy in my every supplication for all of you,  (BLB)

Verse 4 – Parenthesis. “Always” is the adverb of time, pántote (πάντοτε) [pronounced PAHN-toht-eh], meaning always or at all times.

“in every prayer of mine” – Paul does not say he prays always, but he does say that when he does pray he always remembers the Philippians. We have en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the locative singular from the adjective pás (πάς) [pronounced pahs], plus the noun deêsis (δέησις) [pronounced DEH-ay-sis]—”in every prayer.” Then the possessive genitive of the personal pronoun egô (ἐγώ) [pronounced ehg-OH]—”in my every prayer,” which reminds us of the fact that prayer is a personal matter. It is our privilege but it is also personal and private.

“for you” – the preposition hupér (ὑπέρ) [pronounced hoop-AIR] plus the ablative of the adjective pás (πάς) [pronounced pahs], and with it the object, the personal pronoun plural su (σύ) [pronounced soo]. It is translated, “on behalf of all of you.”

“making” – present middle participle from poieô (ποιέω) [pronounced poi-EH-oh]. This means to perform, to produce, to accomplish. Prayer is the object, deêsis (δέησις) [pronounced DEH-ay-sis] again, and so when poieô (ποιέω) [pronounced poi-EH-oh] is put with deêsis (δέησις) [pronounced DEH-ay-sis] it means “offering prayer.” The iterative present describes something that occurs at successive intervals. It recurs. It is known as the present tense of repeated action. The iterative present means that when you pray, you pray effectively but you don’t pray all the time. The middle voice is the indirect middle, it emphasizes Paul as the agent producing the action of the verb rather than participating in its results. The participle is a temporal participle. Temporal participles have to be translated in a certain way, usually “when” – “when offering prayer.” The word “request” is prayer, the accusative singular direct object, and going with poieô (ποιέω) [pronounced poi-EH-oh] it means “offering prayer.”

“with joy” – the preposition metá (μετά) [pronounced meh-TAH] plus the genitive of chara (χαρά) [pronounced khahr-AH], “with inner happiness.” Inner happiness is sharing God’s +H.

Philippians 1:4 Always in my every prayer for all of you when offering prayer with inner happiness. [End parenthesis.]

Philippians 1:5  for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,  (BLB)

Verse 5 – “For your fellowship, epí (ἐπί) [pronounced eh-PEE] plus the dative of koinônia (κοινωνία) [pronounced koi-nohn-EE-ah]. It should be translated, “Because of your contribution.” Epí (ἐπί) [pronounced eh-PEE] plus the dative is “because,” not “for.” Not only does he give thanks for the memory (v.3) but he also gives thanks for the contribution. Omitting the parenthesis, (v.3) “I am giving thanks to my God for every memory of you (v.5) because of your contribution.” Verse 4 is parenthetical: prayer with pleasure. Paul is thankful to God for the Philippians’ financial contribution.

“in the gospel” is a prepositional phrase, eis (εἰς) [pronounced ICE] plus the accusative of euangelion (εὐαγγέλον) [pronounced yoo-ang-GHEL-ee-on], which means “for the purpose of spreading the gospel.” That is the way people enter the plan of God. This was a major part of Paul’s service, though it is not emphasized because the Bible emphasizes his thinking, and not just regarding salvation but his thinking with regard to every realm of doctrine.

“from the first day” – apó (ἀπό) [pronounced aw-PO] plus the ablative singular of the adjective prôtos (πρτος) [pronounced PROHT-oss], plus hêmera (ἡμάρα) [pronounced hay-MEH-raw]. It is correctly translated, “from that first day.” The definite article here is used as a demonstrative pronoun to call attention to the first time the Philippians ever contributed to Paul.

“until now” is a Classical Greek phrase. There is an Attic adverb, achri/achris (ἄχρι/ἄχρις) [pronounced AHKH-ree/AHKH-rece], used as an improper preposition with the genitive of the definite article, plus the adverb nun (νν) [pronounced noon]. This is an articular adverbial prepositional phrase, and that is Classical Greek.

Philippians 1:5 Because of your contribution [offering] from that first day until now for the purpose of spreading the gospel from the first day until now.

1976 Philippians                                                                                          Lesson #10

10 05/12/1976 Philippians 1:5 What is being done in prep school. Doctrine of giving; mutual blessing by association

A church this large is sometimes a rumor factory. This is gossip. We are in the process of drafting a new constitution; no it is not a dictatorship. Another rumor is that the prep school is crashing and burning. It is at an all-time high. Prep school is not only walking but marching. In Ken Wise, we have a remarkable G3. Bob developed an entire honor code for the cadets. Wise was given the task to put together the entire prep school operation. It is beautifully laid out on the calendar.

Operation ducks on a pond is an overall master plan, taking the children from the cradle to the auditorium (not the grave). For the two year olds to the sixth grade. Some teachers do not have the time to sit down and work things out. Previously, there was just a quarterly and teachers would read it 15 minutes before their class. It is now beautifully organized.

“When gossip in this congregation is discovered, it is rooted out and destroyed with an ammonia cloud.”

Translation gone over:

This was a very large offering, put into the hands of Epaphrodites. The believers who sent the first offering to Corinth were in supergrace A and the second offering they sent when they were in supergrace B. No pressure and no solicitation involved in this giving.

Paul, when in supergrace B, he was supported by the Philippians. He recovered from reversionism in Rome. Paul receives quite a bit of monetary support. These are large offerings. The Corinthians believed that Paul was in the ministry for the money. The mistake of the Corinthians had never given Paul a dime.

2Corinthians 11:7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? 

The Corinthians were wealthy and they saw no reason to help Paul out.

2Corinthians 11:8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 

This is sanctified sarcasm. Other churches paid my wages so that I could serve you.

Bob lived on his own private income for the first ten years of working at Berachah. There was a fairly wealthy family which helped out. Bob’s father cut him off; but this means that his step mother was well taken care of. This is around year 26 for Bob.

Bob knows very well about living close to the line. But he was fine during the depression.

Legalism cannot stand to see any grace oriented believer prospering.

2Corinthians 11:9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 

Philippi is in the Macedonian region. There are two offerings spoken of here. The Philippians supported the Apostle Paul. They sent very large sums of money from their own monetary blessing.

Paul had a trade on the side and he had to be a tent maker. He would not wear raggedly clothes and look sad and have a mournful expression and have his hand out for money.

Forget money; consider love. It is love, affection, consideration, and thoughtfulness. It is the capacity in the soul that is key.

The doctrine of giving is taken from NB1. It turns out that it was not even close, nor was the doctrine from NB2.

1976 Philippians                                                                                          Lesson #11

11 05/13/1976 Philippians 1:6–7a Rapport in spiritual maturity

Medal of Honor recipient.

Philippians 1:6  being persuaded of this very thing, that the One having begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.  (BLB)

Verse 6 – confidence in the Philippian progress. “Being confident” is a perfect active participle from the verb peithô (πείθω) [pronounced PIE-thoh], which generally means to obey, to believe, to convince, to persuade. In the perfect tense it means to have confidence. This is the perfect tense of existing state in which the past is dropped from the perfect and the emphasis is placed on the existing state of confidence. Paul has a state of confidence at this moment rather than emphasizing any future results. This is the branch of the intensive perfect in which special attention is directed to the results of the action, hence the existing state is intensified. Paul has complete confidence, not only in his own spiritual advance to the final objective but even much more so in those who are following him closely in the Philippian congregation. The passive voice: Paul receives this confidence from Bible doctrine resident in his soul plus his own observation of the Philippian congregation. This is a causal participle, it denotes that which is the ground for the action of the main verb, and it is translated “Because I have confidence.”

“of this very thing” –auto (αὐτό) [pronounced ow-TOH], the accusative singular of reference from the intensive pronoun autos (αὐτός) [pronounced ow-TOSS], and it emphasizes the identity of Paul’s confidence. It also makes it very clear that there is no place in the spiritual life for ‘I hope so.’ Confidence is a spiritual asset, it is not a sign of arrogance. The more doctrine you have in your soul the more confidence you have about almost everything in life. There is a demonstrative pronoun with this as well—houtos (oτος) [pronounced HOO-tos], the immediate demonstrative which emphasizes something in the immediate vicinity of the context. It should be translated, “in this doctrine itself.” Paul is confident in the Philippian advance. He is confident in the principle that when anyone is positive long enough they are going to get there. Some people take longer than others; some have more set-backs than others; but if you live long enough the tenacity of your own positive volition toward doctrine, plus many types of grace provision, you are going to reach that final objective, and with it you will have everything that God designed for you. And every blessing that you have glorifies God.

“that he which hath begun” – it begins with the conjunction hóti (ὅτι) [pronounced HOH-tee] used as a substantive for the epexegetical infinitive after a preceding demonstrative. The articular aorist middle participle is from the verb enárchomai (ἐνάρχομαι) [pronounced en-AR-khom-ahee]—”begin.” The definite article is used as a relative pronoun—”he who.” It refers to God the Father, the author of operation grace. The aorist tense is ingressive, it emphasizes the Philippian progress to super-grace from the standpoint of its beginning. The beginning was the point of salvation. Like the constative aorist it gathers into one entirety the progress of the Philippians from salvation to super-grace. The middle voice is the indirect middle, it emphasizes God the Father as the agent producing the action of the verb through logistical grace. The participle is circumstantial, emphasizing logistical grace. So we have, “that he who has begun.”

“in you” – en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the locative plural from the plural personal pronoun su; “a good work” – the accusative singular direct object from the adjective agathos (ἀγαθός) [pronounced ag-ath-OSS] for intrinsic good. God is absolute perfection. Anything that comes from God has to be intrinsic good, it can’t be anything else. The noun ergon (ἔργον) [pronounced EHR-gon] is also in the accusative. It has numerous related meanings such as “deed, action, accomplishment, work.” Here it connotes that which is brought into being by the work of logistical grace. The anartharus construction emphasizes the high quality of logistical grace.

“will perform it” – future active indicative from the verb epiteleô (ἐπιτελέω) [pronounced ep-ee-tel-EH-oh]. It means to perform, to accomplish, to fulfil, to complete: “will complete it.” The future tense is a gnomic future for a statement of doctrine, the Father’s logistical support of believers in advance to maturity. The active voice: God the Father provides the logistical support for those who are pressing toward the final objective. The indicative mood is declarative for statement of an absolute dogma of doctrine: that for any believer who is positive, in any stage of spiritual growth, God provides logistical grace.

“until the day of Jesus Christ” – in this statement of the Rapture we have an Attic Greek adverb of time achri/achris (ἄχρι/ἄχρις) [pronounced AHKH-ree/AHKH-rece], used as an improper preposition. The object is the descriptive genitive of Iêsous (̓Ιησος) [pronounced ee-ay-SOOCE] Christos (χριστός) [pronounced krees-TOHSS], emphasizing the central person involved in the resurrection of the Church, the God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Logistical grace is available, then, to the royal family of God until the resurrection of the royal family occurs.

Philippians 1:6 Because I have confidence in this doctrine itself [logistical grace], that he who has begun a good work will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:7  Accordingly, it is right for me to feel this about all of you, since I have you in the heart. Both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers of grace with me.  (BLB)

Verses 7 -- the further you advance in the spiritual life the more your priorities change, your scale of values, and the more interesting becomes the rapport factor in

your life. It moves out and extends in areas that you would never dream possible.

“Even as it is meet” – kathôs (καθώς) [pronounced kahth-OCE] estin (ἐστίν) [pronounced ehs-TIN] dikaion. Kathôs (καθώς) [pronounced kahth-OCE] is a conjunctive adverb usually used to indicate comparison. Here it is a little different and is used here in its causal sense, correctly translated “since.” The present active indicative of eimi (εἰμί) [pronounced eye-ME] is next—estin (ἐστίν) [pronounced ehs-TIN]. The customary present denotes what habitually occurs when a pastor has a positive congregation toward Bible doctrine. The active voice: Paul produces the action doubling as a pastor here. The indicative mood is declarative representing the verbal action from the viewpoint of absolute reality. The predicate nominative neuter dikaios (δίκαιος, αία, ον) [pronounced DIH-kai-oss] is translated “right”—”Since it is right.”

“for me” – dative of advantage singular from the personal pronoun egô (ἐγώ) [pronounced ehg-OH].

“to think this” – present active infinitive of the verb phroneô (φρονέω) [pronounced fron-EH-oh], used here for objective thinking. Even in the area of the greatest conflicts of life the believer is capable of very objective thinking. Hence, this comes to mean to be holding an opinion—”for me to hold this opinion.” The customary present denotes what habitually occurs when believers are positive toward doctrine and have reached this stage of maturity; they hold opinions—correct opinions. The active voice: Paul is producing the objective thinking, he is holding the opinion. The infinitive is the infinitive of a conceived result assumed by the consequence of the Philippian attainment of super-grace.

There is also an accusative neuter singular direct object from the immediate demonstrative pronoun houtos (oτος) [pronounced HOO-tos]. It emphasizes here confidence in a principle, but it is a principle related to people. When people are hooked up with doctrine you can have confidence.

“of you all” – hupér (ὑπέρ) [pronounced hoop-AIR] plus the ablative from the adjective pás (πάς) [pronounced pahs] plus the pronoun su (σύ) [pronounced soo]. Literally, “in behalf of all of you.” Paul is holding an opinion about his favourite congregation which is composed of those who have been consistently positive and whose progress is right behind his own.

“because I have you in my heart”—begins with the preposition diá (διά) [pronounced dee-AH]. The words diá (διά) [pronounced dee-AH] to e)xein me is Classical Greek. We have no comparable idiom today. The preposition diá (διά) [pronounced dee-AH] takes the accusative singular definite article means “because of,” not “through” as it would be in the genitive. The present active infinitive of echô (ἔχω) [pronounced EHKH-oh] means to have and to hold. Literally, “through the to have.” It doesn’t make sense in English. Me is the accusative singular from the personal pronoun egô (ἐγώ) [pronounced ehg-OH]. The present tense is a historical present, it views the past event with the vividness of a present occurrence. In other words, it is just as though Paul wrote it a few minutes ago and the ink is not even dry. The active voice: Paul produces the action, he had rapport with the Philippians. The prepositional phrase, “in my heart” is en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the locative singular of kardia (καρδία) [pronounced kahr-DEE-uh]—”in my right lobe.” This is the place where love exists. Anyone we truly love we lock up in our soul.

1976 Philippians                                                                                          Lesson #12

12 05/14/1976 Philippians 1:7b–8 Mutual love of right pastor–teacher and congregation

Various laws and rules. A reading of the passage.

When a congregation reaches maturity with a pastor, they should stay with that pastor. A pastor should begin his career with a new congregation. No one ever exceeds the maturity of their own right pastor or even the wrong pastor. You cannot grow under a pastor who has a lower level of spiritual growth than you.

Epaphrodites will return to Philippi with information from Paul.

“inasmuch as” – no such word exists in the original manuscript. Next comes the prepositional phrase, en (ἐν) [pronounced en] te (τε) [pronounced teh] tois (τος) [pronounced toiç] desmois, which is literally, “in my imprisonment.” The preposition en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the locative of desmos (δεσμός) [pronounced dehs-MOSS]. en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus te (τε) [pronounced teh] can be translated “while in prison.” With that is the adverbial genitive of place from the personal pronoun egô (ἐγώ) [pronounced ehg-OH]—”my.”

Then comes the repetition of the conjunction kaí (καί) [pronounced kī]—”both in the defence,” en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus apologia (ἀπολογία) [pronounced ap-ol-og-EE-ah] in the locative; “and confirmation”—kai bebêlos (βέβηλος,ον) [pronounced BEHB-ay-loss] which is translated “and establishment”; “of the gospel” – the descriptive genitive singular euangelion (εὐαγγέλον) [pronounced yoo-ang-GHEL-ee-on], “good news.” Sometimes this refers to the good news of the gospel only, i.e. salvation doctrine. Sometimes it means the good news of doctrine in general. Sometimes it means good news without a doctrinal connotation. The words around it determine the meaning and in this chapter we see it once simply for the gospel (salvation), once for doctrine in general, and once simply for good news without any doctrinal connotation at all. He we have “both in defense of establishment of the good news.” The defence of the gospel or the good news is evangelization, while the establishment of the gospel is doctrinal teaching to new converts. So this is not talking about the gospel as the means of evangelization, this is talking about good news or doctrine you learn after you are saved. The establishment of the gospel also includes the organization of the local churches where Bible doctrine is taught to believers under strict academic discipline, and that is the means of it in this passage.

“you all are” is a present active participle from eimi (εἰμί) [pronounced eye-ME]. The present tense is a perfective present, it denotes a continuation of Philippian offerings as a result of their spiritual growth and advance to super-grace status. The active voice: the Philippians produce the action. The participle is circumstantial. With it is the accusative plural from the adjective pás (πάς) [pronounced pahs] plus the accusative plural of the personal pronoun su—”all of you are.”

“partakers” is the accusative plural direct object from sunkoinōnós (συγκοινωνός) [pronounced soong-koy-no-NOSS],, meaning “partners”; “of my grace”— the possessive genitive of the personal pronoun egô (ἐγώ) [pronounced ehg-OH]. It modifies “partners”: ‘You are my partners’; “of grace” – the genitive singular meaning “in grace.” In this partnership Paul provides the doctrine for their spiritual growth and they provide the monetary offerings which is a part of his logistical support.

Philippians 1:7 Since it is right for me to be holding this opinion in behalf of you, because I have you in my right lobe while in prison, both in the defence of establishment of the gospel, all of you are my partners in grace.

Paul saw to it that he would write them and others epistles, from which they could grow. These offerings made it possible for Paul to study more, which meant that he could write more.

Philippians 1:8  For God is my witness how I long after you all in the affection of Christ Jesus.  (BLB)

Verse 8 – “For God is my record.” The Greek is mártus (μάρτυς) [pronounced MAHR-tooç] gár (γάρ) [pronounced gahr] mou ho (ὁ) [pronounced hoh] theos (θεός) [pronounced theh-OSS]. This is why gár (γάρ) [pronounced gahr] is called an enclitic particle, it does not come first in the sentence, it is simply the enclitic conjunctive particle which has an explanatory use here which can be translated “for” or “you see” or “for you see.” Then mártus (μάρτυς) [pronounced MAHR-tooç] is in the predicate nominative form, it is a nominative singular and means a judicial witness. There is also an implied present active indicative of eimi (εἰμί) [pronounced eye-ME]. The verb is not there, it isn’t necessary because of the predicate nominative. There is a possessive genitive singular personal pronoun egô (ἐγώ) [pronounced ehg-OH] [mou], and then the nominative singular subject ho (ὁ) [pronounced hoh] theos (θεός) [pronounced theh-OSS]. (The definite article has a subject but the predicate nominative does not have a subject) “For God is my witness.” But this is an idiom and is not really what the idiom is saying. The idiom is saying, “I am telling the truth.”

“how greatly” – the adverb hôs (ὡς) [pronounced hohç] is used as a conjunction to introduce the characteristic quality of Paul. There is no word “greatly” in the original manuscript, it is simply “how.” And now we have the adverb used as a conjunction to reveal something in Paul.

“I long after” – the present active indicative from the compound verb epipothéō (ἐπιποθέω) [pronounced ep-ee-poth-EH-oh] [epí (ἐπί) [pronounced eh-PEE] = upon; potheô = to miss someone, to long for someone who is absent], and with the preposition it is simply intensified into a verb of strong love. Paul has the capacity for love; he has the expression of love. Capacity expresses itself. God has provided the object of Paul’s love, a whole congregation of wonderful believers advancing. The present tense of epipothéō (ἐπιποθέω) [pronounced ep-ee-poth-EH-oh] is a static present, it represents a condition which is assumed as perpetually existing. The active voice: Paul produces the action of teaching doctrine and directed toward those who are consistently positive. And from this comes capacity on the part of Paul. He studies to get his capacity for love, and then he communicates doctrine. That is the way those who are positive grow up. Between Paul and the Philippians is category #3 love. The indicative mood is declarative, it represents the verbal action from the viewpoint of reality: maximum category #3 love toward this congregation.

“ye all” – the accusative plural direct object from the adjective pás (πάς) [pronounced pahs] plus the personal pronoun su (σύ) [pronounced soo]. This is translated “all of you.”

There were retired military types in Philippi, and they were okay with Paul’s teaching and authority. They understood authority.

A woman who is successful in business is objective in life. She understands that someone must make policy and someone has to be in charge.

Deacons administer for the benefit of the congregation; but they are not the policy makers nor do they have to represent the congregation in any way.

“in the bowels of Jesus Christ” – the preposition en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the instrumental plural of splagchnon (σπλάγχνον) [pronounced SPLANGKH-non], plus the possessive genitive of Christos (χριστός) [pronounced krees-TOHSS] and the possessive genitive of Iêsous (̓Ιησος) [pronounced ee-ay-SOOCE]. In scripture a portion of the anatomy is often used that does not refer to anatomy of the body but to an attribute of the soul. A known portion of the body is used to describe an invisible portion of the soul. From this is taken the principle of affection or the emotional response in the soul. So the word splagchnon (σπλάγχνον) [pronounced SPLANGKH-non] is used for the affection response of the emotion. The absence of the definite article stresses the qualitative aspects of the noun rather than the mere identity of the noun as “bowels.” If the background is understood this can actually be translated “affection.”

Outside of Berachah Church, there are those who speak of a head belief versus a heart belief; but there is no such difference. The heart always refers to thinking.

Philippians 1:8 For God is my witness [I am telling the truth], how I deeply desire all of you with the same affections of Christ Jesus.

Paul is saying that his love for the Philippians is so deep that he loves them as Jesus Christ would love them.

In verses 9-11 we have a paragraph which tells us how to pray for a congregation of mature believers.^[3]

1976 Philippians                                                                                          Lesson #13

13 05/16/1976 Philippians 1:9 Doctrine of prayer (review)

There were at least four or five doctrines of prayer in NB1 and NB2. One of chosen from NB1 and placed below.

Bob gives some examples of previous lessons of intercessory prayer.

Philippians 1:9  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment,  (BLB)

Verse 9 – behind this prayer is love, Paul’s love for the Philippians, and also the greatness of the Philippians; they are a mature congregation. How do you pray for people who have everything? who are being blessed to the maximum by God? The prayer in this verse is for further advance, that they will complete their objective.

“And this” is the emphatic use of the conjunction kaí (καί) [pronounced kī] which here means “in fact,” and the accusative neuter plural from the demonstrative pronoun houtos (oτος) [pronounced HOO-tos]. The demonstrative is used as a direct object of the verb. The immediate demonstrative is what we have there. It calls attention to Paul’s prayer for the Philippians.

“I pray” – the present middle indicative from the verb proseúchomai (προσεύχομαι) [pronounced pros-YOU-khoh-mai], which means to pray for someone else and therefore it connotes intercessory prayer. This is an iterative present tense, it describes what recurs at successive intervals, therefore the present tense of repeated action. The middle voice is the indirect middle in which Paul as the agent is producing the action of the verb rather than participating in its results. The indicative mood is declarative representing the verbal action from the standpoint of reality. Translation: “In fact I pray this prayer.”

“that” is the conjunction hina (ἵνα) [pronounced HEE-na] which denotes a final clause, used to indicate a purpose and objective. The objective in this final clause is the intensification of category #1 love, or occupation with Christ.

“your love” – the nominative singular subject from agápē (ἀγάπη) [pronounced ag-AH-pay], which involves the mentality of the soul and not necessarily the emotion or other factors. It is used here to refer to category #1 love as a matter of concentration. It is also used because the object of love in not physically visible to the eye. With this word is the possessive genitive plural from the personal pronoun su (σύ) [pronounced soo] indicating that they do possess occupation with Christ or maximum category #1 love.

“may abound” – not quite correct, it is a little stronger than that. This is the present active subjunctive of the verb perisseuô (περισσεύω) [pronounced per-iss-SUE-oh], which means to be present and abundant, or to overflow, or to be outstanding, or to excel to the maximum. It can be translated “that your love may be caused to excel” or “to be caused to abound to the maximum.” This is a customary present which denotes what habitually occurs when one reaches super-grace status. This is a static present also for a condition which will perpetually exist in super-grace. The active voice: occupation with Christ produces the action. The subjunctive mood is not only the contingency potential subjunctive but with the conjunction hina (ἵνα) [pronounced HEE-na] it is simply used to denote an objective. This is an objective not accomplished, therefore potential at this point. It is contingency, otherwise there would be no need for including it in prayer.

“yet more and more” – éti (ἔτι) [pronounced EH-tee] means “still,” an adverb of time which denotes that a given situation, such as maturity, is continuing and that once a person reaches maturity there are many areas within it. These people are in super-grace but they have not reached the final objective, as indicated next by not only the adverb of time but a comparative word, mallon (μλλον) [pronounced MAL-lon], which is the comparative of mala, and it means “more” or “even to a greater degree.” It indicates the fact that even though they have a mature love it can still go higher.

How can this prayer be accomplished? Paul cannot simply pray for their continued advance unless he mentions in his prayer the means why which this advance is continued. The only way to advance in the spiritual life is cognisance. You must know doctrine.

“in knowledge” – growth always is related to knowledge of doctrine and there is no spiritual growth any other way. Deeds and production are the result of growth but never the means of growth. This is emphasized by a prepositional phrase, en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the instrumental of epignôsis (ἐπίγνωσις) [pronounced ehp-IHG-noh-sis], the growing material. Doctrine doesn’t cause the believer to grow when it is stored permanently in the Word of God, it is doctrine in the soul that causes his growth—”by means of epignôsis (ἐπίγνωσις) [pronounced ehp-IHG-noh-sis].” So Paul is praying for them to grow. There is no other way to grow.

“and in all judgement” – the word “all” is the adjective pás (πάς) [pronounced pahs] in the instrumental, and we have the instrumental of the noun a)isqhsij which means spiritual discernment, and it is comparable to the unbeliever’s common sense. It is the application of doctrine, the power of judgment and discrimination based upon doctrine resident in the soul. First comes epignôsis (ἐπίγνωσις) [pronounced ehp-IHG-noh-sis], then comes discernment.

Philippians 1:9 In fact I pray that your love may be caused to abound still more, even to a greater degree, by means of knowledge [epignosis doctrine] and resultant all discernment.

1976 Philippians                                                                                          Lesson #14

14 05/16/1976 Hebrews 13:7 Ordination message and ceremony

This ordination service takes place once a year. There is a written examination. Colonel McConnell gives the exam. The person then comes to Berachah Church to be queried on Saturday. Three men passed this test with high marks. These are guys with the gift of pastor-teacher. Dick Olsen of Washington state and Dallas Seminary; Gary Glenny former world heavyweight camption weight lifter or US; and Jack O’Brien has just finished 20 years in the military; and he has been on tapes for five years.

Hebrews 13:7 Be concentrating on them [your right pastor-teacher] who themselves are ruling over all of you, [pastors] who have communicated to you the word from the God; [pastors] whose doctrine be emulating, be carefully considering the end [supergrace] of their way of life.

There is no seminary professor who can give you any information about a practical application course, because nothing is more removed from reality than a seminary or a teacher at a seminary.

There is always a person over you with regard to the Word of God.

The believer must concentrate on what the pastor-teacher teaches. McConnell is Bob’s assistant pastor; and he understands all forms of authority.

Bob is in his 27^th year and there have been many conspiracies during this time.

Some of you will have friend who will leave, but you will stay behind because Bible doctrine is more important.

It is an advantage to every believer to have a right pastor. The take in Bible doctrine but you remain yourself. You do not imitate the pastor’s personality; you learn and apply his teaching. We leave Bob’s style alone and stick with his teaching.

The end is not the end of the sermon for the day, but the end achievement. Whatever a pastor may be personally is not the issue.

Every believer has an old sin nature. We never share what our brand of sin is. We do not change our brand of sin to match the communicator. The person communicating Bible doctrine is imperfect and the recipient has a sin nature. And some people are going to be hit by this or that passage in the Word of God.

No congregation can exceed the spiritual growth of their right pastor.

1976 Philippians                                                                                          Lesson #15

15 05/17/1976 Philippians 1:10 Discernment from #1 priority of doctrine

Family accusation, referring to Berachah as that church.

Those we know who lack discernment because emotion fans their soul. Bible doctrine must be the highest priority. Discernment is the key, and discernment is all about doctrine in your soul.

You canno divorce with written word from the living word (Jesus Christ).

Philippians 1:10  for you to approve the things being excellent, so that you may be pure and blameless unto the day of Christ,  (BLB)

Verse 10 – “That ye may approve” is the preposition eis (εἰς) [pronounced ICE] plus the articular present active infinitive from the verb dokimázō (δοκιμάζω) [pronounced dohk-ihm-AHD-zoh] which means to test for the purpose of approval, to put to the test, to examine with reference to the result of the examination, to prove by testing, to approve. Here it means to approve, and it must be related to the last word of the previous verse which is “discernment.” When you are approving is disapproving something it is merely an expression of your scale of values. You are deciding which is more important. Are you going to go with your friends? Or are you going to stick with doctrine? There must be the definite article here to define the meaning of the preposition because of eis (εἰς) [pronounced ICE] plus the articular present active infinitive of dokimázō (δοκιμάζω) [pronounced dohk-ihm-AHD-zoh], and the definite article makes the infinitive adaptable to prepositions. So it is eis (εἰς) [pronounced ICE] plus the accusative of the definite article plus the present tense of dokimázō (δοκιμάζω) [pronounced dohk-ihm-AHD-zoh], and the static present represents a condition to be taken for granted as a fact for the believer who is approaching or is in super-grace. The active voice: the super-grace believer produces the action. The infinitive is conceived result, which simply means to follow the natural consequences of reaching super-grace status. To those who stick with doctrine it is inevitable that they will crack the maturity barrier. We might even translate eis (εἰς) [pronounced ICE] plus the articular infinitive, “With the result that you may approve after testing.” Approval is based on your scale of values. You may not realize it but everything in life you test by your scale of values. The words “after testing” is a part of dokimázō (δοκιμάζω) [pronounced dohk-ihm-AHD-zoh]. After testing, does this make any changes in doctrine being number one? So discernment is based upon always keeping doctrine in the number one slot in your priorities in life.

Some subjects interest you and some do not.

Everything that you see, you have a scale of values, and you apply them. A guy will do this regarding every woman he see; and a woman will do this of men as well.

“things” is the accusative plural definite article used as a demonstrative pronoun to emphasize areas of discernment and the super-grace scale of values—”those things.”

“that are excellent” – present active participle from the verb diaphérō (διαφέρω) [pronounced dee-ahf-EHR-oh], which means to differ to one’s advantage, to be worth more, to be of greater value. With the definite article it means here, “things of greater value.” With a definite article this participle acts as a substantive. This is an articular participle and is a noun rather than a verb.

This is the result of the epignôsis (ἐπίγνωσις) [pronounced ehp-IHG-noh-sis] and discernment of the previous verse. The two go together. Epignôsis (ἐπίγνωσις) [pronounced ehp-IHG-noh-sis] means more doctrine accumulated since doctrine has number one place in your soul. Discernment is the use of your accumulated doctrine.

You must approve doctrine above all.

“that” – the conjunction hina (ἵνα) [pronounced HEE-na] used to introduce a second purpose or objective: “in order that.”

You are protected by your scale of values, because doctrine is your #1 priority.

Being wealthy and happy at the same time; that is ultra super grace.

The arrogant person views you and they see you having enjoyment of life; and they cannot stand it.

Women do not want to be replaced by another woman. When her affections are replaced by another, hell has no fury like a woman scorn. Miriam was the queen bee of Israel, but when Moses married the Ethiopian woman, this knocked her off this perch. She reacted badly, starting all kinds of malicious gossip. The more Miriam talked, the greater Moses’ marriage became. No one can reach ultra super grace without being blessed for the rest of their lives.

Many mothers do not like it when their sons replace them with another.

“ye may be” – present active subjunctive from the verb eimi (εἰμί) [pronounced eye-ME]. The present tense is a futuristic present, it denotes what has not yet occurred: the ultra-super-grace status. They are on the verge, and this is a prayer to get them in, as it were. This is regarded as so definite that it is put in the present tense, even though it is a future objective. The active voice: the ultra-super-grace status produces the action. They will get there. The subjunctive mood goes with hina (ἵνα) [pronounced HEE-na], indicating a purpose or an objective.

“sincere” – the predicate nominative plural from the compound eilikrinês (εἰλικρινής) [pronounced i-lik-ree-NACE] [heili = sunlight; krinô (κρίνω) [pronounced KREE-no] = to judge], which means to judge by sunlight. This does not mean “sincerity.” Sincerity is not even considered a virtue in Christianity. This means to judge the quality of something by holding it up to sunlight. Purity is determined by the sunlight test—”that you might be tested by sunlight.” Sunlight refers to doctrine. The word “sincere” really means to be completely pure and unmixed. It was used in the ancient world to test wine to see if there were any impurities in it, or if there was too much water in it. So to get rid of the ‘water’ of the soul and to replace and displace it with doctrine we have a word that doesn’t really mean sincere, but it means completely pure. But it doesn’t mean sinlessness, it simply means genuine—a genuine, totally mature believer. In other words, the soul is free from contamination. The scale of values is perfect because by making the written Word number one in your scale of values and assigning number one priority to doctrine you have eventually come to the place where you have made your number one priority the living Word—Jesus Christ whom you now see through doctrine. So the super-grace believer is completely pure in soul, and that means free from contamination and infiltration of Satanic policy. It has to do with thought, not with sin.

“and without offence” – the connective kaí (καί) [pronounced kī] plus the predicate nominative plural from the compound apróskopos (ἀπρόσκοπος) [pronounced ap-ROSS-kop-oss] [a – negative; proskoptô (προσκόπτω) [pronounced pros-KOP-toh] = offence or stumbling], which means undamaged, blameless, or without offence. “Blameless” means freedom from human good and the expression of evil.[4]

“till the day of Christ” – eis (εἰς) [pronounced ICE] plus the accusative singular of hêmera (ἡμάρα) [pronounced hay-MEH-raw], “with reference to the day.” Then the descriptive genitive singular from Christos (χριστός) [pronounced krees-TOHSS], indicating the fact that this is the Rapture.

Philippians 1:10 In order that you might be completely pure in the light of doctrine; and blameless [in the area of human good and evil] with reference to the day of Christ.

1976 Philippians                                                                                          Lesson #16

16 05/18/1976 Philippians 1:11–12 Patrick Henry; principle of human good

Patrick Henry’s message to the House of Burgess in Virginia. We have done everything that could be done to avoid the storm that is about to come upon us. Our petitions have been slighted. Our supplications have been disregarded. If we wish to be free... Shall we gather resolution by inaction? There is a just God Who reigns over the destiny of nations. I know not what course others may take, but give me liberty or give me death.

Repeat of the translation to v. 10.

Philippians 1:11  being filled with the fruit of righteousness that is through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.  (BLB)

Verse 11 – prayer for ultra-super-grace production in contrast to the production of human good and arrogance. “Being filled” is the perfect passive participle from the verb plêroô (πληρόω) [pronounced play-ROH-oh]. It means here to be filled with the highest possible quality. The perfect tense is a dramatic perfect, which is the rhetorical use of the intensive perfect. The intensive perfect always takes the action of the verb and shows it as completed, and then shows the continuation of results from that completed action. The passive voice: the ultra super-grace believer receives the action of the verb. The participle is telic, indicating a purpose, and this denotes the 3^rd purpose which has been expressed in this prayer. Literally, “Having been filled up.”

Having doctrine in the soul and operating under the first generation of the Spirit, divine good is produced.

“with the fruits of righteousness” – the word “fruits” is the accusative singular direct object from the noun karpos (καρπός) [pronounced kahr-POSS], which means fruit in the sense of production. It could be much better translated “production of righteousness.” With it is dikaiosunê (δικαιοσύνη) [pronounced dih-kai-oh-SOON-ā or dik-ah-yos-OO-nay], which dies not mean ‘righteousness,’ as such. It means the total fulfilment of spiritual progress and is a technical word here for ultra-super-grace.

“which are” is not found in the original. However the accusative singular direct object of the definite article is used here as a relative pronoun and can be translated “which comes.” The word “comes” is not found but is implied.

“by Jesus Christ” – diá (διά) [pronounced dee-AH] plus the genitive of Iêsous (̓Ιησος) [pronounced ee-ay-SOOCE] Christos (χριστός) [pronounced krees-TOHSS] should be translated “through Jesus Christ.”

“unto the glory” – this is a prepositional phrase, eis (εἰς) [pronounced ICE] plus the accusative of doxa (δόξα) [pronounced DOHX-ah], and is correctly translated “for the glory.” Jesus Christ is personally glorified when the believer is prosperous under paragraph SG2.

“and praise” – a continuation of the prepositional phrase, épainos (ἔπαινος) [pronounced EHP-ahee-noss], which means praise, approval, recognition, is the object of eis (εἰς) [pronounced ICE]; “of God” is a descriptive genitive singular theos (θεός) [pronounced theh-OSS]. The entire prepositional phrase is anartharus, there is no definite article, emphasizing the quality of the glory, the quality of the praise, emphasizing the object of glory in praise.

Philippians 1:11 Having been filled up with production of spiritual progress [righteousness], which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.

Ultra-super-grace production glorifies God forever and has the most fantastic temporal reproduction.

The Advance of the Gospel

Philippians 1:12  Now I want you to know brothers, that the things concerning me really have turned out to the advancement of the gospel,  (BLB)

Verse 12 – the super-grace prisoner in Rome. The principle and pattern of life in super-grace. This verse is like Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28. They all demonstrate the same principle.

“But I would” – the enclitic particle dé (δέ) [pronounced deh] used as a transitional conjunction and translated “Now,” plus the present active indicative of the verb boulomai (βούλομαι) [pronounced BOO-lohm-ahee] which is used of a person desiring something. It means to wish, to want, to desire, and it is often used in the sense of desiring to clarify a point with someone you love. Paul has already declared his love; these are his greatest friends. Because they are his loved ones an explanation is forthcoming. The present tense is a perfective present, used here to denote the continuation of existing results. It refers to a fact which has come to be in the past but is emphasized right at this moment as a present reality. The active voice: Paul produces the action in his desire to communicate a point of doctrine.

“ye” is the accusative plural direct object from the personal pronoun su; “understand” is the present active infinitive of ginskô (vινώσκω) [pronounced gih-NOH-skoh], which means to understand, to comprehend, to learn. Here is it “comprehension” because of an explanation. The present tense is a customary present, it denotes what may be reasonably expected to occur in the case of super-grace. The active voice: the Philippians will produce the action of perceptive comprehension. This is the infinitive of intended result, when the result is indicated as fulfilling a deliberate object. Hence, it is a blending of purpose and result. This is a deliberate explanation to someone you love.

“brethren” is a vocative plural, adelphos (ἀδελφός) [pronounced ad-el-FOSS], indicating that not only is this explanation due them but Paul recognizes that he will have students in every generation for the rest of the Church Age and forever, and he wants all of the royal family to come in on this very important point.

“that the things which happened to me” – hóti (ὅτι) [pronounced HOH-tee], a causal conjunction meaning “because”; ta (τά) [pronounced taw], a nominative neuter plural definite article, translated “things”; kat’, the preposition, plus the accusative singular of the personal pronoun, eme, me (ἐμέ, με) [pronounced ehm-EE, mee]. Literally, “the things according to me,” but it is an Attic idiom for “my circumstances.”

“have fallen out” – perfect active indicative of érchomai (ἔρχομαι) [pronounced AIR-khoh-my], which means to come, but when used of things or events it means to “turn out.” It therefore has the same connotation as all things working together. This is a dramatic perfect, again the rhetorical use of the intensive perfect, completed action, emphasizing the existing results as being intensified. The turning out is an intensified result. The active voice: the circumstances of the mature believer produces the action. The indicative mood is declarative for historical reality. This is a dogmatic principle of doctrine that Romans 8:28 is fulfilled in super-grace.

“rather” is mallon (μλλον) [pronounced MAL-lon], the comparative of the adverb mala. It originally meant to a greater degree, or it can be translated “for a better reason,” but here we have another word with it. We have the enclitic particle dé (δέ) [pronounced deh], and that changes the meaning. As a super-grace believer the Roman imprisonment has worked together for good, has turned out in a certain way. Four epistles were written, and of these four Philippians was the last one. Ephesians prepares a person to crack the maturity barrier and in effect tells the believer what he must know to be a mature believer.

When Paul was shipwrecked, he was in supergrace A and while imprisoned, he was in supergrace B. Hebrews says, this is the direction to maturity; Ephesians tells how to get into maturity. Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians all work together for good. Philippians is how to cross no man’s land.

All things worked together for good for Paul when being imprisoned in Rome.

“unto the furtherance of the gospel” – eis (εἰς) [pronounced ICE] plus the accusative singular of the noun prokopê (προκοπή) [pronounced prok-op-AY], meaning progress; then a descriptive genitive euangelion (εὐαγγέλον) [pronounced yoo-ang-GHEL-ee-on]—”gospel”—”for the advance of the gospel.”

1976 Philippians                                                                                          Lesson #17

17 05/19/1976 Philippians 1:13 Praetorian guard; doctrine of positional truth

V. 12 is a restatement of Romans 8:28. This is amplified, beginning in v. 13. Any nation is sustained and its freedom sustained by the military establishment. The Jewish nation was sustained by a military establishment. Jesus Christ Himself secured this freedom. It was in the second generation that the Jews began to fight with a military force.

Judges is a commentary on the fact that the military failed and they did not follow the policies that they should have been following. In both the days of Saul and David, there was a great deal of military activity, providing peace for a generation in the time of Solomon.

Hosea truly loved his wife, even though she was a prostitute. Their first two children were his; second two were not. She was unsatisfied by all other men except Hosea. She wound up as a slave. She was sold at half-price.

Philippians 1:13  so as for my chains in Christ to have become clearly known in all the palace guard and to all the rest;  (BLB)

Verse 13 – the impact of the Praetorian Guard. The conjunction hôste (ὥστε) [pronounced HOH-steh] is used to introduce an independent clause and should be translated “With the result that.” We have just seen the principle of “All things work together for good” for mature believers. It is no accident that for two years of Paul’s life he is a prisoner in Rome and that for two years the final decision on his appeal has been delayed before he goes before the ruling Caesar who is Nero. Paul had am impact on the military organization of that day, an organization without which no man ever ascended to the throne of Caesar.

“that my bonds” – accusative plural of general reference, which means it is going to be the subject of an infinitive, from the noun desmos (δεσμός) [pronounced dehs-MOSS] which refers to the chains that were used to shackle people in prison. But since Paul was not shackled (he was under house arrest) it is better to translate desmos (δεσμός) [pronounced dehs-MOSS] as “imprisonment.” There is a descriptive genitive singular from egô (ἐγώ) [pronounced ehg-OH], indicating his status quo, and it is translated therefore “With the result that my imprisonment.”

The next phrase deals with the fact that every believer, no matter where he is in time, he is also in union with the Lord Jesus Christ: “in Christ” – en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the locative of Christos (χριστός) [pronounced krees-TOHSS]. It is true that Romans 8:28 applies to the believer. It is also true that due to the fact that every believer is in union with Christ that for every believer, before reaching maturity, the concept of Romans 8:28 is operational in the life. It is obvious, therefore, that for anyone who is positive toward doctrine, or anyone who is operating within the framework of the plan of God, that all things are working in the proper direction. Reason: Every believer is in history and in Christ as of the moment of his salvation. Because he is in Christ and at the same time living on this earth it is impossible for the person who is in Christ not to have a foreshadowing of the principle of Romans 8:28. The principle is therefore very obvious that while Paul’s circumstances vary in phase two his position in Christ never changes. There are three principles that must be pulled together: a) Jesus Christ controls history; b) Every believer is in union with Jesus Christ who controls history: c) Therefore the varying circumstances of life have to turn out right because we are in union with Christ, the same Jesus Christ who controls history.^[5]

All of the time that Paul was in failure, he still remained in Christ.

 “are manifest” is the aorist active infinitive of gínomai (γίνομαι) [pronounced GHIN-oh-my]. This is translated in the KJV by the verb to be, but it should not be. It should be translated “has become.” With this is the predicate nominative singular from faneroj, meaning “manifest” or “well-known.” Thus far we have, “With the result that my imprisonment in Christ has become well-known.” The aorist tense here is a culminative aorist, it views Paul’s imprisonment in its entirety but it emphasizes the existing results. The active voice: Paul’s imprisonment produces the action of the verb. The infinitive is a part of the accusative of general reference, as well as actual result.

Paul is in prison but he is also in Christ. He is in prison in Rome for two years.

“and in all the palace” is an incorrect translation. This is the preposition en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the locative singular from an adjective holos (ὅλος, η, ον) [pronounced HOH-loss]—”in all.” But “the palace” is the noun praitôrion (πραιτώριον) [pronounced prahee-TOH-ree-on] which is called in English “Praetorium.” This is a reference to the Praetorium Guard. The Praetorium Guard was a brigade of 10,000 Roman soldiers stationed at the palace of Caesar and in a camp near Rome. This is the same as our Old Guard stationed at Fort Meyer in Virginia. They are show troops.

The Praetorium guards were very well-paid. The origin of this Praetorium guard was done by Scippio Africanus, who defeated the Carthaginians, the arch enemies of the Romans. They were the best troops. They were considered the greatest troops of the empire.

It was the emperor Tiberius who first concentrated all 10,000 soldiers at Rome. They enlisted for 12 years and they received $20,000 a year, which was a massive amount of money. They were the most powerful organization in the Roman empire. No emperor could reign without their support.

Some of the most famous people were these super-generals, who headed the Praetorium Guard. Bob names a few of these super-generals.

Nero was forced to commit suicide by the Praetorium guard. Bob thinks that there is a direct relationship between the death of the Apostle Paul at the hands of Nero and that Nero died shortly after (by his own hand), saying, “It is a shame that such a great actor must leave the stage.”

“and in all other places” – the connective kaí (καί) [pronounced kī], plus the locative plural definite article and the locative plural from the adjective pás (πάς) [pronounced pahs]. The locative plural from loipon (λοιπόν) [pronounced loy-POHN] is not correctly translated. It means rest, remainder—”all the rest [of Rome].”

Philippians 1:13 With the result that my imprisonment in Christ has become well-known through the entire Praetorium Guard, and to all the rest [of Rome].

1976 Philippians                                                                                          Lesson #18

18 05/20/1976 Philippians 1:14 Supergrace leadership; doctrine of witnessing

Philippians 1:14  and most of the brothers, trusting in the Lord by my chains, to dare more abundantly to speak fearlessly the word.  (BLB)

Teachers use their own outlines. Too often in church, teachers use the outlines and material of others. So people would read the monthly lesson that morning or the night before. Whatever the material was, it was not the material of the teacher.

Verse 14 – the influence of super-grace leadership. “And many brethren” – the conjunction kaí (καί) [pronounced kī], translated here “in fact,” plus the accusative plural definite article and the accusative plural of pleiôn/pleione/pleon (πλείων/πλεον/πλέον) [pronounced PLI-own,PLI-on,PLEH-on], a comparative of polus, polos (πολύς, πολλός) [pronounced poll-OOS], and it means actually “the majority” here.

Bob illustrates with various conspiracies in the time of Nero, which included a plot against his mother. She was in a yacht and the plugs were pulled, and the soldiers jumped overboard, but she survived, having been able to swim three miles to shore.

The accusative case is a part of the accusative of general reference with the present active infinitive of laléô (λαλέω) [pronounced lah-LEH-oh] which means to communicate; “of the brethren” – i.e. the royal family of God, a descriptive genitive plural of adelphos (ἀδελφός) [pronounced ad-el-FOSS].

Paul took a stand because he knew he was right. Some would not admit to this, because they could not stand his authoritative ways.

“in the Lord” – the preposition en (ἐν) [pronounced en] plus the locative of kurios (κύριος) [pronounced KOO-ree-oss]. This time it doesn’t refer to positional truth, it refers to an object. Prepositional phrase is used an object. The participle comes up next, the object of the participle peithô (πείθω) [pronounced PIE-thoh]—perfect passive participle, it means to obey, but in the perfect tense it means to have confidence. Translated, “having received confidence in the Lord.” The perfect tense is intensive in which the action is completed with special emphasis on the results. The results are said to be intensified. The passive voice: the majority of believers in Rome are receiving the action of the verb through the superb leadership of the apostle Paul. Even though the Roman church was in very bad condition it was Paul’s courageous leadership that turned the tide.

“In fact the majority of the brethren, because they had received confidence in the Lord.” This is a causal participle. Such confidence comes not only from the consistent function of GAP but it comes from leadership. Everyone needs a leader. No one understands mankind better than God Himself, and He has made it clear that 98% of all mankind needs some kind of supervision, and therefore a system of authority—establishment, even authority principles related to love. You can’t have anything in life that is worthwhile without authority, even your own self-discipline. The leadership discussed here is a spiritual leadership whereby God Himself provides the commission. He commissioned Paul at the point of his salvation by giving him the gift of apostleship. And there are several spiritual gifts which are the basis for all spiritual leadership. Since apostleship is extinct all that is left is the gift of pastor-teacher, and to a very limited extent evangelism.

“by my bonds” – the instrumental of cause from desmos (δεσμός) [pronounced dehs-MOSS]. An instrumental of cause means that you are getting back to some origin concepts. Paul is saying the origin of his leadership, his base of action, his base of operation for leadership, is imprisonment. This is translated “because of my imprisonment.” The believers had received confidence because of his imprisonment—not because he was in prison but because in prison he maintained his leadership activities. He continued to teach the Word of God and to rule the church.

“are much more bold” – the comparative adverb perissotérōs (περισσοτέρως) [pronounced per-is-sot-EHR-oce]. It means “much greater” or “far more,” and the present active infinitive tolmáō (τολμάω) [pronounced tol-MAH-oh], which means to have courage here. With the comparative adverb it means to have “much greater courage.” The infinitive has a descriptive present, it indicates what is now going on. The fact that Paul is in prison and awaiting a very serious trial has not intimidated him at all. The active voice: certain Roman believers seeing that Paul is not intimidated, bolder than ever, produce the action of production. The infinitive is the infinitive of actual result.

“to speak” – present active infinitive of laléô (λαλέω) [pronounced lah-LEH-oh], and it means to communicate. The present tense is iterative, it describes what recurs at successive intervals. Witnessing isn’t something you do all the time, it is something you do as a result of doctrine resident in the soul, as a result of spiritual progress, and at times when God when God gives opportunity. It is something you never force, it is something that God drops in your lap.^[6]