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Philippians 1

Amplified Bible, 2015 (AMP)

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^{Philippians 1:1 [1]} In John the Apostle's vision (Rev 19), he sees Christ returning as Warrior-Messiah-King, and "...His name is called The Word of God...and LORD OF LORDS." (REV 19:13, 16).

^{Philippians 1:1 [2]} In this phrase, "God" appears first in the Greek word order, emphasizing the fact that "the Word" (Christ) was God—so "God Himself."

^{Philippians 1:5 [3]} I.e. the world immersed in sin: all that stands in opposition to God and biblical truth.

^{Philippians 1:6 [4]} The births of both John the Baptist and Jesus were foretold by the angel, Gabriel (LUK 1:5-80). This passage is about John the Baptist, the son of Zacharias the priest and his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was related to Mary the mother of Jesus (LUK 1:36). John the Baptist is considered to be the last of the OT prophets, and is not to be confused with John the Apostle who wrote this Gospel, three brief letters (1 John, 2 John, 3 John) and Revelation.

^{Philippians 1:15 [5]} Here John the writer uses the Greek perfect tense ("has cried out"), emphasizing the truth and continuing importance of John the Baptist's testimony.

^{Philippians 1:15 [6]} Lit has become before (in front of) me, because He was first of me. The Greek is difficult because John the Baptist was making a word-play on the adverbs/adjective "after" (or "behind"), "before," and "first." The playful wording assumes the form of a riddle which, like some of Jesus' parables, conceals the speaker's meaning from those who are hostile toward him and have neither the patience nor the spiritual inclination to learn from him.

^{Philippians 1:26 [7]} The Greek here can be translated in, with or by.

^{Philippians 1:27 [8]} During this era it was customary for a household servant to remove a guest's sandals and wash the dust from his feet. John is saying that he is not worthy even to remove Christ's sandal, let alone to touch His feet.

^{Philippians 1:29 [9]} John is referring to the fulfillment of the need for the OT Passover lambs which was now fulfilled in Christ's sacrifice, the ultimate and final sacrifice for sins.

^{Philippians 1:31 [10]} John the Baptist and Jesus were related through their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary, but He was unknown as the Messiah until God revealed it to John at the beginning of Jesus' ministry.

^{Philippians 1:31 [11]} The Greek here can be translated in, with or by.

^{Philippians 1:32 [12]} The descent of the Holy Spirit identified Jesus in His humanity for His ministry as the Messiah.

^{Philippians 1:33 [13]} The Greek here can be translated in, with or by.

^{Philippians 1:37 [14]} The concept of "follow" can represent three separate possibilities: in the early stages of His ministry (1) walking with Him physically (literally), that is merely being in His presence regardless of personal belief or commitment; (2) accepting and identifying with the salvation He offered; and later on (3) being identified with Him by being subject to the scorn and rejection of unbelievers because of personal belief and commitment to Him.

^{Philippians 1:39 [15]} The Romans reckoned time from midnight, so in Roman time the tenth hour would be 10:00 a.m. The Jews reckoned daytime from sunrise (about 6:00 a.m.), so in their system the tenth hour would be 4:00 p.m. Here, either time is possible, though the Roman reckoning may be more likely because if it were 4:00 p.m. the disciples might have felt compelled to go home before evening set in.

^{Philippians 1:41 [16]} The words "Messiah" and "Christ" are not personal names, but titles derived respectively from Hebrew and Greek verbs meaning "to anoint."

^{Philippians 1:42 [17]} I.e. rock or stone in Greek.

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