The central argument of Philippians is found in 1:27-4:1. This
section may be outlined as follows: I. Living Worthily as
Citizens of Heaven/Gospel (1:27-4:1) A. Exhortation: Live as
Citizens of Gospel/Heaven (1:27-30) 1. Standing Firm (1:27-28)
2. Sharing Christ’s (and Paul’s ) suffering (1:29-30) B. Example
One: Imitation of Christ (2:1-18) 1. The Mind of Christ (2:1-5)
2. The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus Christ (2:6-11) 3.
Exhortation to live in response to Jesus (2:12-18) C. Example
Two: Imitation of Paul’s Coworkers (2:19-30) 1. Timothy’s
Example (2:19-24) 2. Epaphroditus’s Example (2:25-27) 3.
Exhortation to welcome Paul’s Co-workers in Philippi (2:28-30)
D. Example Three: Imitation of Paul (3:1-21) 1. Warning:
Confidence in the Flesh– 3:1-6 2. The Way: Confidence in Knowing
Jesus Christ (3:7-16) 3. Exhortation to follow the preceding
examples (3:17-21) E. Conclusion – General Exhortation to
Continue Standing Firm – 4:1 1:27a is the overarching general
exhortation that controls 1:27-4:1. Its trans