Introduction to Philippians

If you were with us this past Sunday I preached a message from acts 16 about Paul and Silas being in prison and something miraculous happened.

The whole of chapter 16 of the book of Acts tells the story of Paul, Silas, and Timothy and their ministry in Philippi.

Acts 16:6-10 - Tells the story of how the missionaries were detoured into Macedonia

Acts 16:11-15 - Records how the prominent woman, Lydia, was converted at Philippi

Acts 16:16-24 Records why they were thrown into prison

Acts 16:25-40 - Records their experience in prison and why they left Philippi

Some important information about the city of Philippi helps us understand Paul and what happened and as a result the letter he sends.

After their victory at the Battle of Philippi in 42 B.C., Antony and (later) Augustus re-founded this Macedonian city with army veterans. Its special status as an Augustan colony exempted the city from significant forms of taxation and gave it additional privileges of land ownership. The city encompassed good agricultural land, and it was on the Egnatian Way, an important Roman commercial road (built mid-2nd century B.C.). The Roman ethos of the colony is evident in Philippi’s Latin civic inscriptions and in the worship of Roman gods. Extant archaeological remains from Paul’s day testify to the presence of a theater, a large forum (beneath the later 2nd-century-A.D. forum), shops, and two city gates (designated Krenides to the west and Neapolis to the east). There is a speaker’s platform (Gk. bēma) in the existing second-century forum between a pair of large fountains. One small stone crypt (built over a cistern) near the forum was designated in later church tradition as the prison site of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:23–34). Other structures dating from NT times and the early centuries of the church (e.g., a sports facility, pagan temples, octagonal and basilica style churches) can still be seen in Philippi.

Philippians is one of the 4 Prison Epistles, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon.

There is debate as to where he was in prison when he wrote Philippians.

Most scholars say he was in Rome, while there is debate. Some believe he was in Ephesus when he wrote this letter.

The support for Rome is that we have verifiable evidence he was in prison, house arrest, in Rome. The problem with Rome being the place of authorship is that the distance between Rome and Philippi would have made it difficult to make all the trips between the two that the letter records/implies (700 by land and 900 by sea).

The Letter to the Philippians A. Paul in Chains

1. A messenger brought news to the Philippians of Paul’s imprisonment.

2. The church sent Epaphroditus with a gift to Paul.

3. The church heard the news that Epaphroditus was sick.

4. Epaphroditus was distressed when he heard that the church knew about his illness.

5. Paul plans to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi.

6. Paul plans to send Timothy to Philippi as soon as he knows the outcome of his trial.

7. Paul plans to wait for Timothy to return with a report about the church in Philippi.

8. Paul plans to visit Philippi soon.

Depending on where he wrote the letter from will determine when he wrote the letter.

If from Rome it would be about 61-62 toward the end of his emprisonment.

if from Ephesis 52-55

Some also say Caesarea (c. 57–59) but you have to deal with the travel issue as well.

Why did Paul write Philippians? Well all we have to go with is internal evidence.

Key Reasons for Writing:

Express Gratitude: Paul aimed to thank the Philippian church for sending a gift via Epaphroditus, supporting him during his imprisonment.

Provide Reassurance: He wanted to assure the Philippians that his imprisonment was not a failure but was actually advancing the gospel.

Encourage Unity and Joy: Paul urged the church to stand firm, remain united in Christ, and cultivate a joyful, humble attitude despite external hardships.

Warn Against Legalists: He cautioned them against false teachers (specifically legalists, sometimes called "Judaizers") who insisted on circumcision for Christians.

Report on Epaphroditus: He informed them that Epaphroditus, their messenger, had recovered from a severe illness.

Greeting and Prayer (Phil. 1:1–11)

Salutation from Paul and Timothy (1:1–2)Phil. 

Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer for the Philippians (1:3–11)Phil. 

Paul’s Reflections on His Imprisonment (Phil. 1:12–30)

Paul’s imprisonment has meant progress for the gospel (1:12–18)Phil. 

To live is Christ (1:19–26)Phil. 

Encouragement to walk worthy of the gospel (1:27–30)Phil. 

Exhortation to Humble Service (Phil. 2:1–30)

Encouragement to unity in the faith and service to one another (2:1–4)Phil. 

Christ’s example of humble service (2:5–11)Phil. 

Living as lights in the world (2:12–18)Phil. 

Timothy as an example of a service-centered life (2:19–24)Phil. 

Epaphroditus as another example of service (2:25–30)Phil. 

Opponents of the Gospel: Where Does Righteousness Come From? (Phil. 3:1–21)

Initial call to rejoice in the Lord (3:1)Phil. 

Contrast between the opponents of the gospel and the true people of God (3:2–3)Phil. 

Paul’s renunciation of spiritual and ethnic privileges for the sake of knowing Christ (3:4–11)Phil. 

Paul’s progress in the gospel: through Christ, not the law (3:12–16)Phil. 

A call to follow Paul’s example of commitment to Jesus as Lord (3:17–21)Phil. 

Concluding Exhortations and Thanksgiving (Phil. 4:1–23)

Standing together for the gospel (4:1–3)Phil. 

Rejoicing in faith (4:4–9)Phil. 

Thanksgiving for the Philippians’ gift; Paul’s contentment in God (4:10–20)Phil. 

Greetings (4:21–22)Phil. 

Benediction (4:23)Phil.