| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Salutation (1:1-11) grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1:2) | Salutation | 9 Final greeting and benediction (4:10-23) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (4:23) |
| 2 Paul's present circumstances (1:12-30) I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel, (1:27) | Struggling together for the faith of the gospel | 8 Exhortations (4:2-9) for they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. (4:3) |
| 3 Imitating Christ's humility (2:1-11) Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (2:9) | Ascension of Christ | 7 Pressing toward the goal (3:17-21_4:1) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (3:20) |
| 4 Shining as lights in the world (2:12-18) In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me. (2:18) | Rejoice | 6 Breaking with the past (3:1-16) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. (3:1) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Salutation (1:1-11) because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (1:7) | Worrying about Philippians | 5 Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30) For I have no one comparable to him for genuine interest in whatever concerns you. (2:20) |
| 2 Paul's present circumstances (1:12-30) whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I rejoice. Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, (1:18) | Rejoicing even sufferings | 4 Shining as lights in the world (2:12-18) But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. (2:17) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 5 Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30) With regard to Epaphroditus, my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you. (2:25) | Supporters of Paul | 9 Final greeting and benediction (4:10-23) For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. (4:16) |
| 6 Breaking with the past (3:1-16) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. (3:1) | Rejoice in the Lord | 8 Exhortations (4:2-9) Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! (4:4) |