Philippians: An Expositional Commentary

by James Montgomery Boice

Publisher:

Baker

, 2000

Overview

"Philippians is so simple and at the same time so profound that it speaks profitably to Christians at every level of spiritual understanding, age, and maturity." As James Montgomery Boice points out, no book in the Bible is so filled with joy as Philippians. Even though Paul faced possible execution for his faith, he managed to remain joyful in the midst of terrible circumstances. Beyond providing encouragement, Philippians also contains a wealth of great themes. As Boice explains, it covers most of the major doctrines of the Christian faith and is at the same time extremely practical.

These expositions will appeal to serious Bible students and interested laypersons. Many study Paul's letter with the goal of coming to know Jesus better. "If you study it," writes Boice, "Philippians will point you to Christ--he is the dominant presence of Philippians, as he is throughout the Word of God."

Contents

Top Highlights

“Do you have that desire to know Jesus intimately? To awake with him in the morning and to live each day with him and in his presence? There is only one inexhaustible person, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. People will disappoint us, but Jesus never will. It is entirely satisfying to know him.” (Page 185)

“First, it is the clear meaning of the sentence itself. The verse does not say, ‘work for your salvation’ or ‘work toward your salvation’ or ‘work at your salvation.’ It says ‘work out your salvation.’ And no one can work his salvation out unless God has already worked it in.” (Page 142)

“On the contrary, it teaches that because you are already saved, because God has already entered your life in the person of the Holy Spirit, because you, therefore, have his power at work within you—because of these things you are now to strive to express this salvation in your conduct.” (Page 142)

“One of the standards by which you can measure your maturity in prayer is the amount of time you spend rejoicing in him and thanking him for the spiritual blessings he has given you in Christ.” (Page 30)

“These verses bring us near to the bedrock of the early Christian faith and preaching. They contain most of the distinctive articles of the Christian creed. They teach the divinity of Christ, his preexistence, his equality with God the Father, his incarnation and true humanity, his voluntary death on the cross, the certainty of his ultimate triumph over evil, and the permanence of his reign.” (Pages 109–110)

Praise for the Print Edition

Dr. Boice's commentary series is a treasure for the church and for her pastors. No expository preacher can afford to be without it.

—R.C. Sproul

Product Details

• Title: Philippians: An Expositional Commentary
• Author: James Montgomery Boice
• Publisher: Baker
• Publication Date: 2000
• Pages: 288

About James Montgomery Boice

James Montgomery Boice (July 7, 1938–June 15, 2000) was a Reformed theologian and pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia from 1968 until his death. He received degrees from Harvard University, Princeton Theological Seminary, University of Basel in Switzerland and Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church.

Boice served as senior pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was president and cofounder of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, the parent organization of The Bible Study Hour radio broadcast on which Boice was a speaker for more than 30 years. He also served as chairman of the International Council of Biblical Inerrancy for over ten years.

Boice’s 27-volume Expositional Commentary set reflects his years of experience in the pulpit. He also authored Foundations of the Christian Faith which provides a readable overview of Christian theology.