Philippians Intro

Author

The Apostle Paul is the author of the letter to the Philippians. This determination is supported by the letter's own introduction where Paul explicitly identifies himself: “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons” (Philippians 1:1). Additionally, the personal details, style, and themes throughout the epistle correspond to Paul's other writings and personal experiences, which further affirm his authorship. The early church fathers, including Polycarp and Irenaeus, also recognized Pauline authorship, further solidifying the long-standing tradition and understanding that Paul wrote this epistle.

Date

The letter to the Philippians was likely written between AD 60-62. This conclusion is drawn from several key factors:

Paul's imprisonment: The Apostle Paul wrote Philippians during one of his imprisonments (Philippians 1:7, 13, 17). Most scholars believe that this was during his Roman imprisonment, which aligns with the timeline given in the book of Acts (Acts 28:16-31).

References to Caesar's household: In Philippians 4:22, Paul sends greetings from "those of Caesar's household." This further supports the idea that he was writing from Rome, the center of the Roman Empire.

The timeline of Paul's journeys: Given the chronology of Paul's missionary journeys, his subsequent arrest in Jerusalem, and his voyage to Rome (as detailed in the latter chapters of the book of Acts), the timeframe of AD 60-62 is most fitting for the writing of this epistle.

Given these factors, and combined with external historical data, the date of Philippians can be reasonably placed during the early 60s AD, specifically around AD 60-62, during Paul's Roman imprisonment.

Context

The city of Philippi was a significant Roman colony situated in the district of Macedonia, in northern Greece. The city held a strategic position on the Via Egnatia, a primary Roman road connecting the eastern and western parts of the empire. Due to its status as a Roman colony, Philippi was granted certain privileges, including exemption from taxes and a Roman style of governance. Its residents were proud of their Roman citizenship and the city's cultural and political atmosphere was heavily influenced by Rome.

Paul first visited Philippi on his second missionary journey, around AD 49 or 50, as recorded in Acts 16. During this visit, Lydia, a seller of purple cloth, became the first recorded convert in Europe after Paul and his companions shared the Gospel with her. Subsequently, a thriving Christian community was established in Philippi. Paul's relationship with the Philippian believers was notably affectionate, as they supported him financially (Philippians 4:15-16) and showed deep concern for his well-being.

When Paul wrote this letter, he was imprisoned, likely in Rome. The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus to Paul, bringing support and to serve the apostle's needs. However, Epaphroditus became seriously ill while with Paul (Philippians 2:25-30). Upon his recovery, Paul sent him back to Philippi, carrying with him this heartfelt letter.

The epistle to the Philippians thus emerges from the backdrop of Paul's missionary journeys, his enduring relationship with the believers at Philippi, and the challenges both he and they faced in the growing Christian movement within the Roman Empire.

Purpose

The letter to the Philippians was penned for several intertwined reasons:

Expression of Gratitude: Paul desired to thank the Philippians for their financial support, especially the gifts they sent through Epaphroditus. He writes, "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles... I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent" (Philippians 4:14, 18).

Report on His Circumstances: Paul sought to inform the church about his current situation in prison, emphasizing that his imprisonment actually advanced the Gospel. He asserts, "What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ" (Philippians 1:12-13).

Addressing Church Unity: Paul was aware of some disunity in the church and encouraged the believers to remain united and to adopt the mind of Christ. He pleads, "Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind" (Philippians 2:2).

Exhortation to Joy and Steadfastness: Paul repeatedly exhorts the believers to rejoice in the Lord, emphasizing joy as a core characteristic of the Christian life. He encourages, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). Alongside this, he urges them to stand firm in their faith, regardless of opposition.

Warning Against False Teachers: Paul warns the Philippians about false teachers and those who would seek to lead them astray, particularly those advocating for unnecessary circumcision: "Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh" (Philippians 3:2).

To Commend and Return Epaphroditus: Paul wanted to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi and commend him to the church, reassuring them about his health and praising his service (Philippians 2:25-30).

In essence, the epistle stands as a heartfelt and deeply personal communication, a tapestry of thanks, encouragement, warnings, and teachings, all undergirded by Paul's genuine love for the Philippians and his unwavering commitment to Christ.

Themes

The Letter to the Philippians is rich in theological insight and practical exhortation, and several key themes emerge throughout the epistle:

Joy and Rejoicing in the Lord: Paul, even while imprisoned, emphasizes the joy that believers can and should have in Christ. Phrases like "rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 3:1) and "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4) punctuate the letter, highlighting joy as an intrinsic aspect of Christian living.

Unity and Humility: Paul urges the Philippians to be of "the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind" (Philippians 2:2). He then beautifully illustrates this principle with the humility of Jesus, who "emptied himself" and became obedient to death (Philippians 2:5-11).

The Supremacy of Christ: For Paul, Christ is central. He writes, "To live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21) and speaks of his own desire to "gain Christ and be found in him" (Philippians 3:8-9).

The Call to Steadfastness: Paul encourages the Philippians to "stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). The epistle encourages believers to remain steadfast, even in the face of suffering or opposition.

Christian Suffering: Paul acknowledges the reality of suffering for the sake of Christ and encourages the Philippians to see it as a privilege. "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him" (Philippians 1:29).

The Pursuit of Spiritual Maturity: Paul describes his own journey toward knowing Christ more deeply and encourages believers to press on in their spiritual journey. "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own" (Philippians 3:12).

These themes, woven throughout the epistle, offer both encouragement and challenge to believers, calling them to a life of joy, unity, and steadfast commitment to Christ.

Divisions

The Letter to the Philippians, while a continuous piece of correspondence, can be organized into several major divisions that highlight the letter's progression and primary emphases:

Introduction and Thanksgiving (Philippians 1:1-11)

Paul's greeting to the Philippians and his expression of gratitude for their partnership in the Gospel.

Paul's Personal Circumstances and Their Impact on the Gospel (Philippians 1:12-30)

Paul discusses his imprisonment and how it has advanced the Gospel.He acknowledges the possibility of his death but emphasizes the importance of living for Christ.Paul encourages the Philippians to stand firm and be united, even in the face of suffering.

The Mindset of Christ and Christian Humility (Philippians 2:1-18)

Paul exhorts believers to have the same humble attitude as Christ, detailing Jesus' incarnation, humility, and subsequent exaltation.He further calls believers to be lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.

Paul's Testimony and the Call to Press Onward (Philippians 3:1-21)

Paul warns against false teachers and contrasts their mindset with his own past and current pursuit of Christ.He encourages the Philippians to press on toward spiritual maturity and to look forward to the heavenly reward.

Exhortations, Encouragement, and Thanks (Philippians 4:1-23)

Paul urges specific individuals toward unity and encourages the entire congregation to rejoice and be content in all circumstances.He acknowledges the financial support he received from the Philippians and assures them of God's provision.Paul concludes with greetings and a benediction.

These divisions provide a structured overview of Paul's epistle to the Philippians, guiding readers through his heartfelt encouragements, teachings, warnings, and exhortations for the church in Philippi.

Bibliography

ChatGPT. "An Introduction to the Book of Philippians." OpenAI, 2023.