Chapter 1

1:10 - Paul tells the Philippians to be good "till the day of Christ." So he must have expected Jesus to return within their lifetimes.

* Paul never mentions any timetable for Jesus' return.  

* Philippians 1:10 is better translated, "Approve all things that are excellent, so you may be sincere and without offense in the period of Christ."  They were living in the period of Christ (also called the church age).

Chapter 2

2:3-4 - Don't fight, be humble, and look after the needs of others. Does this mean we can't own slaves?

* This verse doesn't mention anything about slaves.  Nonetheless, the Bible never condones owning slaves.  It only gives laws to curtail it and eventually end it.  See 1 Corinthians 13 for God's will regarding the ethical treatment of other humans.

2:6 - This verse implies that Jesus is God -- or is equal to God, anyway. But this is denied elsewhere in the New Testament (Jn.8:40, 14:28, 20:17; Acts 17:31, 1 Tim.2:5).

* Yes, Jesus is one with God and He stated this in John 10:30.  The Jews make this claim obvious in John 10:33.

* John 8:40 is where Jesus calls Himself a man.  This is true.  He was not a woman, dog, turnip, etc.  He was both man and God.

* In John 14:28, while Jesus was on Earth, He said that God was greater than Him.  This was true.  However, this didn't take anything away from Jesus' divinity.

* John 20:17 does not question Jesus' divinity.

* Acts 17:31 and 1 Timothy 2:5 have the same answer as John 8:40.

2:10,11 - Everyone will have to worship Jesus -- whether they want to or not.

* This is absolutely true.  Your knees can bow now or later, but they will bow to Jesus Christ.

Chapter 3

3:2 - "Beware of dogs ... beware of the concision." I'm not sure who Paul is calling "dogs" here. Some say he is referring to Jews -- to those of "the concision", as opposed to Christians, who are of the "true circumcision". In any case, Paul is expressing hostility and intolerance toward his fellow human beings.

* The Jewish name for Gentiles was "dogs."  They called them this because they weren't saved under God's Old Covenant.  However, Paul is now calling those Jews "dogs" because they have not trusted and been saved under God's New Covenant.

* Paul isn't being hostile.  No threats were made and no hostile language was used.

3:18-19 - Does Hell exist? No.

* These verses do not confirm or deny Hell's existence.

Chapter 4

4:5 - Paul thought that the end was near and that Jesus would return soon after he wrote these words.

* In this verse, the Greek words for "at hand" are better translated "very near."  Philippians 4:5 reads, "Let your gentleness be known to all people.  The Lord is very near."  Since God is everywhere, this is a very true statement.