Though the gospel is not defined here as it is in other books, we would be foolish to ignore its importance to the letter. Indeed, gospel concepts weave throughout the pages of Philippians, providing theological source for everything that follows. Namely, God has saved his people and united them to himself in Christ. In light of this truth, the saints are equipped to live worthy of the gospel, bearing fruit in keeping with the experience of salvation. What, then, is the gospel according to Philippians?

At first glance, the major themes of humility, unity, and joy are clear in the letter to the Philippians. Yet, each of these themes has a common foundation: they are possible for the church solely in light of the gospel.

Paul assumes the saints in Philippi have a solid understanding of the gospel. In some of his other letters, Paul explicitly specifies what he means by the “gospel”; in Philippians, he never defines it clearly. Perhaps this is because the Philippian church remembers the gospel as Paul proclaimed it to them. Or perhaps, though the gospel is a primary feature of the letter, Paul intends to spend his time addressing issues of gospel fruit rather than the gospel itself.[i]

Though the gospel is not defined here as it is in other books, we would be foolish to ignore its importance to the letter. Indeed, gospel concepts weave throughout the pages of Philippians, providing theological source for everything that follows. Namely, God has saved his people and united them to himself in Christ. In light of this truth, the saints are equipped to live worthy of the gospel, bearing fruit in keeping with the experience of salvation. What, then, is the gospel according to Philippians?

The Gospel According to Philippians

The Gospel is the news that Jesus, who was God (2:6), came to earth as a human (2:7). He lived in perfect obedience to God the Father (2:8), died (2:8), and rose from the dead (2:8; 3:10-11). Through all of this, those who believe in Christ (1:29) will be united to Christ and counted righteous as Christ is (3:9). Those who believe will be saved, but those who do not believe will face eternal destruction (1:28; 3:19-20). In this union with Christ, the believer will belong to Christ (3:12), be equipped by the Spirit to bear Christ’s image and message to the world (1:18-20; 2:1), and share in his resurrection and glorification (3:11, 21).[ii]

Union with Christ

Union with Christ is a key component of the gospel in Philippians, as Paul reminds the believers that Christ is not only for the saint in legal justification but Christ is also in the saint in covenant relationship. The saint is united with Christ, and in this union, the believer shares in righteousness (1:11), humility (2:7-8), obedience (2:8), suffering (3:10), resurrection (3:10-11), and glory (3:21) with Christ. This union with Christ becomes a structural foundation upon which everything else is built[iii]. Combined with a remembrance of the gospel and the empowerment and participation with the Holy Spirit, union with Christ becomes the source and encouragement for the Christian to live a gospel-worthy life (1:11, 2:1).

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