Philippians
Holy Writer, Place and Date of Writing
Like the letter to the Ephesians, this letter was also written by the apostle Paul during his first Roman imprisonment (cf. !:7, 12-14, 17). From the context it seems that this letter was probably written quite a bit later than Colossians, Philemon and Ephesians, and near the end of his two year imprisonment in Rome.
First, this is the only letter in which Paul speaks about the furtherance of the Gospel in connection with the soldiers and members of Caesar’s house: “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (1:12-14); and, “All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household” (4:22). Since this is not mentioned in any of the others letters, this door seems to have been one which the Lord opened later in Paul’s imprisonment.
There are a couple other things which seem to indicate that this was near the end of Paul’s imprisonment: First, Paul makes it evident that he will have an answer to his appeal soon, and that he hopes to be able to see them after he is set free. He writes to the Philippians, “Therefore I hope to send him [Timothy] at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly” (2:23-24).
Second, a considerable amount of time would have had to elapse between Paul’s imprisonment and the writing of this letter. News of Paul’s arrest and imprisonment in Rome would have had to travel to Philippi (1:12-14); Epaphroditus had to travel from Philippi to Rome (4:18); there Epaphroditus became sick and news of his sickness had made it back to Philippi (2:25-28); and news of their concern for Epaphroditus had to get back to Rome (2:26). All of these things support the idea of a date late into or even near the end of Paul’s imprisonment, about the year 61 A.D.
The Church at Philippi
The church at Philippi was the first founded by Paul in Europe. Paul, on his second missionary journey had received a vision of a man from Macedonia begging for help, so he and his companions left Asia and came directly to Philippi, “the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony” (Acts 16:12). Among the converts whom he reached with the Gospel were Lydia (Acts 16:11-15, 40) and the Philippian jailer (16:25-34). While Paul spent only a short time in this city, the Gospel ministry had been very effective. There Paul left Timothy and Luke behind to shepherd the young flock, leaving because of the uprising and concerned for the small congregation’s safety. Paul then returned to Philippi on his third missionary journey, where Luke and Timothy rejoined Paul on his travels.
This congregation was very close to the apostle Paul, and ministered to his needs on several occasions (cf. Philippians 4:15-16 and 2 Corinthians 11:8-9). When the Philippians heard of Paul’s imprisonment they sent Epaphroditus to Rome with another gift of some kind (“I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” 4:18) and it may have been Epaphroditus who also carried this letter back to the Philippians (2:25-26).
Purpose and Content
Paul wrote this letter for several reasons. First to express his gratitude for the gift which the Philippians had sent him through Epaphroditus. Paul writes, “Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (4:14-19). This part he saves for the end of the letter.
No doubt, Epaphroditus had filled Paul in with a report of the congregation, and now responds to this report, noting the fruits of faith that were evident in the lives of the Philippian believers. This letter is full of Paul’s emotion and love for these believers in Philippi, as is seen in the opening verses: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (1:3-11). This love and concern is continued throughout the entire letter.
But there were also areas in which this congregation needed encouragement, just like every other congregation. Paul urged them to pursue Christ-like harmony and humility among each other: “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (2:2-3). Paul warned them about doctrinal errors: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!” (3:2) and again: “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame----who set their mind on earthly things” (3:17-19). And Paul offered practical exhortations for them to grow in their faith and their conduct as faithful Christians: “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God” (1:27-28); and, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life” (2:14-16).
The one theme that holds all these things together is the Joy in Christ that filled the apostle’s heart. It was this joy that enabled Paul to confess: “in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:20-21) and again, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (4:13). Paul reveled in that joy, and throughout this letter he shares that joy with the Philippians and the Christian readers of every age of history.
Outline
Theme: Joy in Christ
I. Greeting and Thanksgiving (1:1-11)
II. Paul’s Joyful Report from Prison (1:12-26)
III. Encouragements to live lives of Joy (1:27-4:9)
A. Stand firm in the Joy of Christ (1:27-30)
B. Live in Joy towards one another (2:1-11)
C. Live in Joy towards the world (2:12-18)
D. Honor the Servants of the Gospel (2:19-30)
E. Warnings to Beware of Threats to our Gospel Joy (3:1-11)
F. Joy in our Heavenly Goal (3:12-4:9)
IV. Thanksgiving for the Philippian gift (4:10-20)
V. Final Greetings (4:21-23)
Note: This study was prepared for the Bible Class at Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew.
If you would like more information about this study,
please contact Pastor Mayhew