By reading Philippians in the light of the Roman character of Philippi and the importance of the imperial cult in this city, we gain an appreciation for the significance of Paul’s report of his witness to the “whole palace guard” while in chains (1:12–13; 4:22), his references to our heavenly “citizenship” (1:27; 3:20), his description of external opposition to the faith (1:28–30), his use of the titles of the emperor (“Lord” and “Savior”) for Christ (2:11; 3:20–21), his sorrow over those who have abandoned their faith because of the pressures of their surrounding culture (3:18–19), and his promise, not of a Pax Romana, but of the “peace of God” to guard the believers in Christ (4:7).
