Philippians- Introduction

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

Three significant events in Philippi

The conversion of Lydia

Acts 16:13–15 ESV

13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

The slave girl who had a spirit of divination

Acts 16:16–24 ESV

16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. 19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The Philippian jailer converted

Acts 16:25–40 ESV

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. 35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Why are the Philippian believers so dear to Paul?

2. Co-Workers for the Gospel

The founding of the church in Philippi happened sometime during 49 CE. Around 10 years later, sometime around 60 - 62 CE is when Paul writes the letter to the Philippian church- so 11-13 years have gone by since the church began. And during that time frame these Philippian believers have been faithful, they have endured persecution, they have preached the gospel, they have given money for the sake of the gospel. So Paul, when he thinks of these dear people, thinks of people that partake with Him in the grace of God for the sake of the gospel.

Philippians 1:7 ESV

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 ESV

1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

That is the Philippian church! They were genuine disciples of Jesus who loved the gospel, who gave themselves to the gospel, and who sacrificed for the sake of the gospel. Thus to Paul they were very very dear.

Why are the Philippian believers so dear to Paul?

3. A recent gift of money to aid Paul while he is in prison

Paul is writing this letter from Rome from a prison cell.

Philippians 1:12–14 ESV

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 4:14–18 ESV

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

So if you are going to understand the letter to the Philippians you have to think about it as a letter from a disciple-maker to his dear friends in the gospel!

The Concern of a Disciple-Maker

Paul’s greatest concern for these dear people was their progress and joy in the faith.

Philippians 1:25 ESV

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

No matter what Paul’s focus was one the Lord Jesus Christ and the advancement of the gospel-

Both in the lives of the Philippians personally

Philippians 1:21 ESV

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 3:11 ESV

11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

and in the spread of the gospel unto the ends of the earth.

Philippians 1:12 ESV

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

Philippians 1:27 ESV

Paul, however is concerned for his dear friends in the faith. Epaphroditus had come and brought Paul a gift of money from Philippi, but Epaphroditus also had reported to Paul two significant dangers to the church that were threatening the advancement of the gospel in this local church.

What are the two areas of concern that Paul had for the church in Philippi?

Suffering because of the gospel

Philippians 1:27–30 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 2:15 ESV

15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

The Philippian believers were dwelling in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation- most likely a reference to the unbelievers in the city of Philippi itself.

The city of Philippi was an intensely patriotic city. It was a very loyal Roman colony.

In 42 BCE two major battles were fought nearby the city and after Rome emerged as the victors, Octavian (who was later the emperor Augustus) refounded Philippi as a Roman military colony, thus endowing its populace with Roman citizenship. (Gordon D. Fee)

Acts 16:11–12 ESV

11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

Acts 16:21 ESV

21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”

Acts 16:37–38 ESV

37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens.

The opposition and suffering the Philippians were enduring was a direct result of the Roman character of their city.

“By the time of our letter, the primary titles for the emperor were Kyrios and Soter (“lord and savior”). Not only so, but the cult of the emperor, where the emperor was honored in a way approaching deification, had found its most fertile soil in the Eastern provinces.”

“In a city like Philippi this would have meant that every public event (the assembly, public performances in the theater, etc.) and much else within its boundaries would have taken place in the context of giving honor to the emperor, with the acknowledgement that (in this case) Nero was “lord and savior.”

“Which is precisely the place where believers in Christ could no longer join in as ‘citizens of Rome in Philippi.’ Their allegiance was to another Kyrios, Jesus Christ, before whom every knee would someday bow and every tongue confess, including the citizens of Philippi who are causing their suffering, as well as the emperor himself.”

“The Philippian believers were thus “citizens” of a greater “dominion” and their allegiance was to another Soter, whose coming from heaven they awaited with eager expectation.”(NICNT, Gordon D. Fee)

Philippians 1:27 ESV

Let your manner of life - live as citizens

“While you are on earth living in this Roman colony of Philippi, live as worthy citizens of your heavenly homeland.”

How do you best do that? You live worthy of the gospel of Christ!

Philippians 3:20 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

The Philippians, as disciples of Jesus Christ, their true Lord and Savior, are no longer part of a colony of Rome. They are part of a colony of heaven! So they are “live eagerly waiting for their Savior!”

What are the two areas of concern that Paul had for the church in Philippi?

Internal Unrest

Philippians 2:3 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:14 ESV

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Philippians 3:1–2 ESV

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Philippians 3:17–19 ESV

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Philippians 4:2–3 ESV

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

The Solution of a Disciple-Maker

Put this picture together in your mind. Paul cares deeply for this church. They are disciple-makers just like he is. They love the gospel just like He does. They have faithful advanced the gospel and supported through gifts of money the work of the gospel. They have suffered for the faith of the gospel. But, Paul gets this report from Epaphroditus that the Philippians are facing increasing persecution because of their faith due to living in a secular pagan country. And there is beginnings of internal unrest. People are getting their focus off of what really matters- they are starting to act with selfish ambition and pride. They are starting to grumble and dispute. They are being tempted to glory in their own self-righteousness. They are being tempted to mind earthly things.

And, where is Paul? He is in prison. He is suffering himself, and is not sure if his life will continue. He may very well be put to death for following Christ. There are so many hindrances to the gospel to making disciples to church growth.

Does this sound familiar church? How many obsticles

What is Paul’s solution?

Philippians 1:20 ESV

20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:25 ESV

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

Philippians 1:27 ESV

Philippians 2:2–5 ESV

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Philippians 2:14–18 ESV

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 3:8 ESV

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:11 ESV

11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:13 ESV

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Philippians 3:14 ESV

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:1 ESV

1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Philippians 4:4–9 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

“In sum: Our letter invites us into the advance of the gospel, the good news about Christ and the Spirit. It points us to Christ, both for now and forever. Christ is the gospel; Christ is Savior and Lord; thus Christ is our life; Christ is our way of life; Christ is our future; Christ is our joy; ‘to live is Christ; to die is gain’; and all to the glory of our God and Father. Amen.” (Gordon D. Fee)

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