Philippians Introduction
Introduction Material
Intro
Author/ Recipient/ Date
Paul is the stated author of Philippians, and few have questioned his authorship. It was written to the Christians in the Roman colony of Philippi.
Paul, therefore, probably wrote Philippians from Rome about AD 60–62, while Nero was emperor, and so the church was about ten years old when he composed this letter.
Paul’s description of Christians as citizens of heaven (3:20) was appropriate, since the Philippians prided themselves on being citizens of Rome (cf. Acts 16:21). The Philippians may well have known some of the members of the palace guard (1:13) and Caesar’s household (4:22).
Setting
One of Paul’s main impulses for writing is to acknowledge the gifts from the Philippians (4:10–19). He also urges two individuals to be reconciled to one another, and he encourages the Philippians to remain faithful to the Lord (4:1–3). He reassures them about his circumstances and his plans to send Timothy in the future (chs. 1–2), and he warns of false teachers (ch. 3). Paul has the opportunity to write, which might not otherwise have arisen, because he is sending Epaphroditus back to Philippi (2:25).
Themes
Phil 2:6–11 is thus a brief account of the gospel, a theme prominent in other parts of Philippians (the word “gospel” appears 10 times: 1:5, 7, 12, 14, 16, 27 [twice]; 2:22; 4:3, 15; cf. also “the word of life” [2:16]). Paul also gives unity and the humility needed to foster such unity considerable attention (1:27–2:4). He stresses that justification is freely given by the words of God, through faith in Christ not the law (3:9).