Philippians — Key Terms

A short glossary. Once these few words are in your bones, the letter reads differently — the same ideas repeat in every chapter.

Koinōnia κοινωνία

Fellowship, sharing, partnership — far deeper than "coffee and chat." It means participation in a common life and mission: shared goods, shared suffering, shared gospel advance.Key text: Phil 1:5; 2:1; 3:10; 4:14–15.

Chara / chairēte χαρά / χαίρετε

Joy (noun) and rejoice (verb). The signature note of the letter (~16 uses). Decisively not circumstantial happiness — it is delight anchored in Christ and the gospel, sustainable in prison.Key text: Phil 1:4, 18; 2:17–18, 28; 3:1; 4:4, 10.

Phroneō / phronēsis φρονέω

To think, set the mind on, have this attitude/mindset. Paul keeps urging a shared mind — the mind of Christ (2:5). Less "feelings," more "governed disposition."Key text: Phil 2:2, 5; 3:15, 19; 4:2, 10.

Kenosis κένωσις

"Emptying" — from the Christ-hymn: Christ "emptied himself" (2:7). Means he laid aside the privilege of divine glory to take the form of a servant, not that he ceased to be God. The pattern for our humility.Key text: Phil 2:7.

Dikaiosynē δικαιοσύνη

Righteousness. In ch. 3 a sharp contrast: "a righteousness of my own from the law" vs. "the righteousness from God that depends on faith" (3:9). A status given, not earned.Key text: Phil 3:6, 9.

Politeuō / politeuma πολιτεία / πολίτευμα

Citizenship / commonwealth. "Our citizenship is in heaven" (3:20). Hits hard in Philippi, a proud Roman colony whose people prided themselves on Roman citizenship. Paul reframes allegiance: live now as a colony of heaven.Key text: Phil 1:27 (verb); 3:20 (noun).

Eirēnē / eirēneuō εἰρήνη

Peace — both the peace of God (guarding the anxious heart, 4:7) and the God of peace (4:9). Shalom: wholeness, not just calm feelings.Key text: Phil 4:7, 9.

Autarkēs αὐτάρκης

Content, self-sufficient. Stoics used it for the self-mastery needing nothing outside. Paul takes the word and fills it with Christ: contentment is learned, and its source is "him who strengthens me" (4:13).Key text: Phil 4:11–13.

Epaphroditus Ἐπαφροδίτος

The Philippians' messenger who carried their gift to Paul and nearly died of illness on the way. Paul sends him home with high honor — a living example of ch. 2's servant mindset.Key text: Phil 2:25–30; 4:18.

Euangelion / euangelizō εὐαγγέλιον

Gospel / good news / proclaim. The letter's engine. The gospel isn't a message Paul merely preaches — it's a shared cause believers partner in, advance, and defend together.Key text: Phil 1:5, 7, 12, 16, 27; 2:22; 4:3, 15.