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Introduction to Philippians

Summary of the Book of Philippians

This summary of the book of Philippians provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Philippians.

Author, Date and Place of Writing

The early church was unanimous in its testimony that Philippians was written by the apostle Paul (see 1:1). Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness. The many personal references of the author fit what we know of Paul from other NT books.

It is evident that Paul wrote the letter from prison (see 1:13-14). Some have argued that this imprisonment took place in Ephesus, perhaps c. a.d. 53-55; others put it in Caesarea c. 57-59. Best evidence, however, favors Rome as the place of origin and the date as c. 61. This fits well with the account of Paul's house arrest in Ac 28:14-31. When he wrote Philippians, he was not in the Mamertine dungeon as he was when he wrote 2 Timothy. He was in his own rented house, where for two years he was free to impart the gospel to all who came to him.

Purpose

Paul's primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent him upon learning of his detention at Rome (1:5; 4:10-19). However, he makes use of this occasion to fulfill several other desires: (1) to report on his own circumstances (1:12-26; 4:10-19); (2) to encourage the Philippians to stand firm in the face of persecution and rejoice regardless of circumstances (1:27-30; 4:4); (3) to exhort them to humility and unity (2:1-11; 4:2-5); (4) to commend Timothy and Epaphroditus to the Philippian church (2:19-30); and (5) to warn the Philippians against the Judaizers (legalists) and antinomians (libertines) among them (ch. 3).

Recipients

The city of Philippi (see map, p. 2445) was named after King Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. It was a prosperous Roman colony, which meant that the citizens of Philippi were also citizens of the city of Rome itself. They prided themselves on being Romans (see Ac 16:21), dressed like Romans and often spoke Latin. No doubt this was the background for Paul's reference to the believer's heavenly citizenship (3:20-21). Many of the Philippians were retired military men who had been given land in the vicinity and who in turn served as a military presence in this frontier city. That Philippi was a Roman colony may explain why there were not enough Jews there to permit the establishment of a synagogue and why Paul does not quote the OT in the Philippian letter.

Characteristics

1. Philippians contains no OT quotations (but see note on Job 13:16).
2. It is a missionary thank-you letter in which the missionary reports on the progress of his work.
3. It manifests a particularly vigorous type of Christian living: (1) self-humbling (2:1-4); (2) pressing toward the goal (3:13-14); (3) lack of anxiety (4:6); (4) ability to do all things (4:13).
4. It is outstanding as the NT letter of joy; the word "joy" in its various forms occurs some 16 times.
5. It contains one of the most profound Christological passages in the NT (2:5-11). Yet, profound as it is, Paul includes it mainly for illustrative purposes.

Outline

I. Greetings (1:1-2)

2. Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11)
3. Paul's Personal Circumstances (1:12-26)
4. Exhortations (1:27;2:18)

A. Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel (1:27-30)

• Following the Servant Attitude of Christ (2:1-18)

V. Paul's Associates in the Gospel (2:19-30)

• Timothy (2:19-24)
• Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

VI. Warnings against Judaizers and Antinomians (3:1;4:1)

• Against Judaizers or Legalists (3:1-16)
• Against Antinomians or Libertines (3:17;4:1)

VII. Final Exhortations, Thanks and Conclusion (4:2-23)

• Exhortations concerning Various Aspects of the Christian Life (4:2-9)
• Concluding Testimony and Repeated Thanks (4:10-20)
• Final Greetings and Benediction (4:21-23)

¢w¢w¡mNew International Version¡n

Introduction to Philippians

In the epistle to the Philippians we find much more of christian experience, and the development of the exercise of the heart, than in the generality of the epistles. It is in fact proper christian experience. Doctrine and practice are found in them all, but, with the exception of the second to Timothy which is of another nature, there is none that contains like this, the expression of the Christian's experience in this toilsome life, and the resources which are open to him in passing through it, and the motives which ought to govern him. We may even say that this epistle gives us the experience of christian life in its highest and most perfect expression-say, rather, its normal condition under the power of the Spirit of God. God has condescended to furnish us with this beautiful picture of it, as well as with the truths that enlighten us, and the rules that direct our walk.

The occasion for it was quite natural. Paul was in prison, and the Philippians (who were very dear to him, and who, at the commencement of his labours, had testified their affection for him by similar gifts) had just sent assistance to the apostle by the hand of Epaphroditus at a moment when, as it appears, he had been for some time in need. A prison, need, the consciousness that the assembly of God was deprived of his watchful care, this expression on the part of the Philippians of the love that thought of him in his necessities, although at a distance-what could be more adapted to open the apostle's heart, and lead to his expressing the confidence in God that animated him, as well as what he felt with regard to the assembly, unsupported now by his apostolic care, and having to trust God Himself without any intermediate help? And it was most natural that he should pour out his feelings into the bosom of these beloved Philippians, who had just given him this proof of their affection. The apostle therefore speaks more than once of the Philippians' fellowship with the gospel: that is to say, they took part in the labours, the trials, the necessities which the preaching of the gospel occasioned to those who devoted themselves to it. Their hearts united them to it-like those of whom the Lord speaks who received a prophet in the name of a prophet.

This brought the apostle into a peculiarly intimate connection with this assembly; and he and Timotheus, who had accompanied him in his labours in Macedonia, his true son in the faith and in the work, address themselves to the saints and to those who bore office in this particular assembly. This is not an epistle which soars to the height of God's counsels, like that to the Ephesians, or which regulates the godly order which becomes Christians everywhere, like the two to the Corinthians; nor is it one which lays the foundation for the relationship of a soul with God, like that to the Romans. Neither was it destined to guard Christians against the errors that were creeping in among them, like some of the others which were written by our apostle. It takes the ground of the precious inner life, of the common affection of Christians towards each other, but of that affection as experienced in the heart of Paul, animated and directed by the Holy Ghost. Hence also we find the ordinary relationships which existed within an assembly: there are bishops and deacons, and it was the more important to remember them, since the immediate care of the apostle was no longer possible. The absence of this immediate care forms the basis of the apostle's instructions here, and gives its peculiar importance to the epistle.

¢w¢w John Darby¡mSynopsis of Philippians¡n

Introduction to Philippians

The Philippians felt a very deep interest for the apostle. The scope of the epistle is to confirm them in the faith, to encourage them to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ, to caution them against judaizing teachers, and to express gratitude for their Christian bounty. This epistle is the only one, among those written by St. Paul, in which no censures are implied or expressed. Full commendation and confidence are in every part, and the Philippians are addressed with a peculiar affection, which every serious reader will perceive.

¢w¢w Matthew Henry¡mConcise Commentary on Philippians¡n

 
Philippians General Review
 
AUTHOR: The apostle Paul (1:1), joined in his salutation by Timothy.
Personal references by the author (1:12-14; 2:19-24; 3:4-7; 4:15-16)
are certainly consistent with what we know of Paul from other New
Testament sources. Paul's authorship of this letter is also supported
by the testimony of early "church fathers" such as Polycarp and
Irenaeus.
 
THE CITY OF PHILIPPI:  Named after Philip of Macedonia, the father of
Alexander the Great, it was a major city of Macedonia on the road from
Rome to Asia known as the Egnatian Way. It was the site of a famous
battle in 42 B.C. in which Antony and Octavius defeated Brutus and
Cassius. In 30 B.C., Octavian made the town a Roman colony where
retired soldiers could live and enjoy the full privileges of Roman
citizenship (to which Paul may have alluded in 3:20).
 
THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI: During his second missionary journey (49-52
A.D.), Paul and his traveling companions (Timothy and Silas) were 
making their way across Asia Minor (Turkey) when Paul received a vision
at Troas. In the vision, a man of Macedonia pleaded, "Come over to 
Macedonia and help us." Perceiving that the Lord was calling them to 
go to Macedonia, they sailed from Troas (Luke having joined them) and 
eventually arrived at Philippi (Ac 16:6-12).
 
With the conversion of Lydia (Ac 16:13-15) and the Philippian jailor
(Ac 16:25-34), the church was established at Philippi. The lack of a 
synagogue seems to indicate that Jews were not prevalent and so the 
church may have consisted primarily of Gentiles. From the conversion 
of Lydia and references in the epistle itself (4:2-3), it is evident 
that a number of women played a role in the growth of the church.
 
When it became necessary for Paul to leave, Luke seems to have stayed
at Philippi (based upon careful observations of personal pronouns; 
e.g., "we, they", cf. Ac 16:12; 17:1). As Paul left Macedonia, the 
church at Philippi became a significant source of support (4:15-16; 2
Co 11:9).
 
Paul visited the church at Philippi again on his third missionary
journey (Ac 20:3,6).
 
TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING: Philippians is one of Paul's four "prison
epistles" (1:7,13,17; cf. Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon). The 
general consensus is that these epistles were written during Paul's 
imprisonment at Rome (cf. Ac 28:16,30-31). If such is truly the case, 
then Paul wrote Philippians around 61-63 A.D. from Rome.
 
PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: The church at Philippi had sent a gift to Paul
in Rome by the hand of Epaphroditus (4:10,18). Paul uses this occasion
not only to thank them, but to comfort them concerning his situation as
a prisoner for Jesus Christ (1:12-14). He also writes of his plans to 
send Timothy soon (2:19-24), and why he considered it necessary to send
Epaphroditus back to them (2:25-30). There may have also been a
problem at Philippi involving two women, for Paul has a few words to 
say concerning them (4:2-3).
 
THEME OF THE EPISTLE: Throughout this short and rather personal
epistle, one keynote resounds again and again. That keynote is joy. 
Five times the word "joy" (Grk., chara) is found (1:4,25; 2:2,29; 4:1),
and the verb "to rejoice" (Grk., chairein) occurs eleven times (twice 
in 1:18; 2:17,18; 4:4; once in 2:28; 3:1; 4:10). For this reason, the 
epistle to the Philippians has often been called Paul's "hymn of joy" 
in which the theme is: "Rejoice in the Lord!"
 
KEY VERSE: Philippians 4:4
 
 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"
 
OUTLINE:
 
INTRODUCTION (1:1-11)
 1. Salutation (1-2)
 2. Thanksgiving and prayer (3-11)
 
I. THE SITUATION IN ROME (1:12-26)
 
 A. PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT AND OPPOSITION (1:12-18)
 1. Imprisonment has actually created opportunities to spread the
 gospel (1:12-14)
 2. Even opposition has provided opportunity for Christ to be 
 preached (1:15-18)
 
 B. PAUL'S EXPECTATION OF DELIVERANCE (1:19-26)
 1. By their prayers and the provision of the Holy Spirit, he 
 knows all will turn out well for his salvation (1:19-20)
 2. Whether he lives or dies, it will be a blessing (1:21-23)
 3. Knowing their need of him at the present, he is confident of
 coming to them once again (1:24-26)
 
II. EXHORTATION TO BEHAVIOR WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL (1:27-2:18)
 
 A. STAND FAST IN ONE SPIRIT (1:27-30)
 1. Strive together for the faith of the gospel (1:27)
 2. Do not be terrified by your adversaries (1:28-30)
 
  B. BE OF ONE MIND BY FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST (2:1-11)
 1. Make Paul's joy complete by being like-minded, having the same
 love (2:1-2)
 2. In humility, look out for the interests of others (2:3-4)
 3. Follow the example of Christ's humility (2:5-11)
 
 C. SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD (2:12-18)
 1. By working out their own salvation, for it is God who is at 
 work in them (2:12-13)
 2. As children of God, blameless and harmless (2:14-16)
 3. Consider Paul's imprisonment as a reason to rejoice (2:17-18)
 
III. PLANS INVOLVING TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS (2:19-30)
 
 A. TO SEND TIMOTHY SOON (2:19-24)
 1. Paul plans to send him shortly (2:19)
 2. Commendation of Timothy (2:20-22)
 3. Timothy to come soon, hopefully followed by Paul himself 
 (2:23-24)
 
 B. TO SEND EPAPHRODITUS AT ONCE (2:25-30)
 1. Why Paul felt it necessary to send Epaphroditus (2:25-28)
 2. Receive him in the Lord with all gladness (2:29-30)
 
IV. WARNINGS AGAINST JUDAISM AND ANTINOMIANISM (3:1-21)
 
 A. AGAINST JUDAISM (3:1-11)
 1. Rejoice in the Lord, bewaring of those who place confidence in
 the flesh (3:1-3)
 2. If anyone had reason to boast in the flesh, it would have been
 Paul (3:4-6)
 3. But he gave it all up, that he might know Christ and the power
 of His resurrection (3:7-11)
 
 B. AGAINST ANTINOMIANISM (3:12-21)
 1. Paul's attitude of pressing on to perfection (3:12-14)
 2. An exhortation for them to have the same mind (3:15-17)
 3. A warning against those who serve their own desires (3:18-19)
 4. A reminder of our true citizenship, and the hope it entails
 (3:20-21)
 
V. EXHORTATIONS TO UNITY, JOY, AND PEACE (4:1-9)
 
 A. AN APPEAL TO EUODIA AND SYNTYCHE (4:1-3)
 1. Prefaced with an exhortation to stand fast in the Lord (4:1)
 2. A plea for them to be of one mind, assisted by others (4:2-3)
 
 B. EXHORTATION CONCERNING JOY AND PEACE (4:4-9)
 1. Rejoice in the Lord always, and be gentle to all (4:4-5)
 2. Through prayer, let the peace of God guard your hearts from
 anxiety (4:6-7)
 3. Meditate upon things worthy of virtue and praise, and follow
 Paul's example (4:8-9)
 
VI. THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR GENEROSITY (4:10-19)
 
 A. THEIR GIFT A SOURCE OF JOY TO PAUL (10-14)
 1. Paul rejoiced when they were able to care for him again (4:10)
 2. Not that he really had need, for he had learned contentment
 (4:11-13)
 3. But they have done well to share in his distress (4:14)
 
 B. THEIR GIFT A SOURCE OF BLESSING FOR THEMSELVES (15-19)
 1. A brief history of their giving to Paul (4:15-16)
 2. Their giving abounds to their own account, viewed as an 
 acceptable sacrifice to God, who will supply all their need
 (4:17-19)
 
CONCLUSION (4:20-23)
 1. Praise to God (4:20)
 2. Greetings from those with Paul, even those of Caesar's household
 (4:21-22)
 3. Final benediction (4:23)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION
 
1) On which missionary journey was the church at Philippi established?
 - Paul's second missionary journey
 
2) Where can we read about the beginning of the church at Philippi?
 - Ac 16:11-40
 
3) Who seems to have stayed at Philippi after Paul left? (cf. "we, 
 they", Ac 16:12; 17:1)
 - Luke
 
4) From where and when did Paul write Philippians?
 - From Rome, sometime around 61-63 A.D.
 
5) What three other epistles were written about this time? What are
 the four epistles sometimes called?
 - Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon
 - The "prison epistles"
 
6) What prompted the writing of Philippians? (cf. Ph 4:10,18)
 - A gift from the church at Philippi by the hands of Epaphroditus
 
7) From Acts 16 and Philippians 4, who were some of the members of the
 church at Philippi?
 - Lydia, the jailor, Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, Epaphroditus
 
8) What is the theme running throughout this epistle? Which verse
 stands out as the key verse?
 - Rejoice in the Lord!
 - Ph 4:4
 
9) List the six main sections of this epistle as given in the above
 outline
 - The situation in Rome
 - Exhortation to behavior worthy of the gospel
 - Plans involving Timothy and Epaphroditus
 - Warnings against Judaism and antinomianism
 - Exhortations to unity, joy, and peace
 - Thanksgiving for their generosity

Introduction To The Epistle
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Of all the letters written by the apostle Paul, Philippians is perhaps
 the most personal and heartwarming in nature.
 
2. So revealing is it of Paul's character, this epistle has been called
 "a window into the apostle's own bosom."
 
3. Throughout the epistle, the keynote is the word "JOY"
 a. Note how frequently the word "joy" (or a variation of it) is found:
 1:3-4,18,25; 2:1-2,16-18; 3:1; 4:1, 4
 b. In view of this, we can understand why some call this epistle
 "Paul's hymn of joy"
 
4. As we begin to study this very short epistle, it might be helpful to
 see the VALUE this book has for us, especially in light of today's
  society
 
I. THE SEARCH FOR PEACE OF MIND
 
 A. "PEACE OF MIND" IS SOMETHING MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR TODAY
 1. To find it, many are swallowing tons of tranquilizers
 2. In addition to DRUGS (both prescription and illegal drugs),
 there are tranquilizing BOOKS (e.g., best-sellers promising
 secrets to having peace of mind)
 
 B. BUT SUCH "PEACEFULIZERS" OFTEN DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD, FOR IN MANY
 WAYS THEY FAIL...
 1. They fail to provide LASTING PEACE in the face of life's often
 harsh realities
 2. They fail to deal with the PROBLEM OF SIN, the true underlying
 cause of much anxiety
 3. They do not provide PEACE WITH GOD, the only true basis for
 lasting peace of mind
 4. Those trusting in tranquilizers, whether books or pills, are
 trying to ESCAPE rather than face reality
 
[What does all this have to do with the book of Philippians?]
 
II. PHILIPPIANS AND THE SEARCH FOR PEACE OF MIND
 
 A. THIS SMALL BOOK IS WRITTEN BY A MAN WHO HAD FOUND TRUE PEACE OF
 MIND...
 1. Even though he was imprisoned at the time! - Ph 1:12-18
 2. Even though he might soon be a martyr! - Ph 2:17-18
 3. He had the joy that comes from peace of mind, and wanted to
 share it with others! - Ph 4:4-7,11-13
 
 B. THEREFORE, HERE ARE SOME GOOD REASONS FOR STUDYING THE EPISTLE 
 TO THE PHILIPPIANS...
 1. It reveals the NATURE of true peace and joy!
 a. The joy is found only "in the Lord" - Ph 4:4
 b. The peace is one that "surpasses understanding" and is like a
 fortress - Ph 4:6-7
 2. It reveals a MAN who provides AN EXAMPLE of what produces
 joy and peace (again, the epistle is like "a window into the
 apostle's own bosom.") - Ph 4:9
 a. His love for his brethren - Ph 1:8
 b. His devotion to his Lord - Ph 1:21; 3:7-11
 c. His striving for perfection - Ph 3:12-14
 d. His concern for the enemies of the cross - Ph 3:18
 3. It reveals the CHRIST Who is the ultimate source of this joy
 and peace!
 a. The mind-set of this Lord who provides peace and joy
 - Ph 2:5-8
 b. The exaltation of Him who gives this peace and joy
 - Ph 2:9-11
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. These are some of the reasons why this epistle is certainly very
 relevant for present-day living!
 
2. Do you have the PEACE that "passes understanding"? The JOY that is 
 "in the Lord"?
 a. If not, then I hope you will want to learn more about it from this
 epistle
 b. If not, and you know why and what you should do about it, then why
 not do it today?

¡Ð¡Ð¡mExecutable Outlines¡n