Introduction to Philippians

Philippi
Philippi was a Roman colony and
one of the most important cities in
the Roman province of Macedonia.
In the first century, the citys
population came from a variety of
backgrounds and there is a
suggestion which is borne out by
the biblical account that there was
some animosity towards the Jews.
The religious life of the city
appears to have been somewhat
eclectic with a remarkable variety
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of divinities and cults. The worship of the Emperor seems to have been widespread,
with monuments having been discovered to at least three Roman Emperors as gods.
Philippi lay on the military road which connected Byzantium with the ports of the Adriatic
which gave access to Italy.
Paul and Philippi
The story of the arrival of the gospel in the city of Philippi is found in Acts 16:11-40 and
contains one of the best known events in the book of Actsthe conversion of the
Philippian jailor.

! OBrien PT, 1991, 4-5

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In Acts 16:6-10, Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia, asking him to Come over
and help us (16:9). It is in response to this call that Paul travels to Europe and arrives in
Philippi; it thus was the very first city in Europe where Paul preached the good news.
Pauls companions included Timothy and Silas; one interesting little snippet of information
is that they also included Luke. The account in Acts changes from the third person to the
first in verse 11, suggesting that Luke joins them in Troas. While there is some debate
about this, the probability that Luke was with Paul on some of his journeys adds to the
essential reliability of the Acts account. It appears that when Paul left Philippi, Luke
remained behind (16:40), only rejoining Paul some seven or eight years later (20:5). It is
unclear whether Luke remains for all this time in Philippi or not.
Pauls stay in Philippi gives something of a background to the letter. The first European
convert - a woman, Lydia - is from Philippi, and is a worshipper of God, in other words,
a Gentile who had been introduced to the faith of the Jews. The fact that Paul meets her
and other women by the river suggests that there were not enough Jewish men in the city
to form a synagogue. Lydia, after being baptised, then hosts Paul and his companions
during their time in the city.
Pauls party, while in the city, are followed by a woman who was possessed. Through Paul,
she is released which causes financial hardship to her owners. As a result, Paul and Silas
are imprisoned, a situation which gives rise to an opportunity for their expression of joy in
the face of suffering, something which leads to the conversion of the jailor.
The beginnings of the church, then, bring together themes of imprisonment and
suffering, self-effacement and self-sacrifice, and joy. These are all taken up in Pauls letter.

Date

Event

Acts

30

Pentecost

33/4

Conversion of Saul

9:1-22

47-48

First missionary journey

13:1-14:28

49

Apostolic council in Jerusalem

15:4-29

49-52

Second missionary journey

15:36-18:22

Late 49

Paul in Philippi

16:11-40

52-57

Third missionary journey

19:1-21:17

Sep 59-Feb 60

Journey to Rome

27:1-28:16

60-62

House arrest in Rome

28:17-31

66/7

Martyrdom of Peter and Paul

70

Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple

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The final questions to answer here are when and where was the letter written? This is a
matter of some debate, but Paul is in prison (1:7), and this is most likely in Rome. If this is
right, then he wrote the letter during his imprisonment mentioned in Acts 28:17-31 in
60-62 A.D.
Themes
As mentioned above, the letter has a number of themes which centre around what is
commonly known as the Christ hymn of chapter 2 (probably one of the best known
passages in the New Testament). This passage presents Jesus as the ultimate example of
self-effacement, humility, obedience, and perseverance through suffering; and presents
him as an example to be emulated by the Christians in Philippi.
It is also a clear and succinct presentation of some of the fundamentals of our
understanding of the person and work of Jesus, from his equality with God to his
incarnation, through his death and resurrection to ultimate glorification.
The themes in the letter are to be seen in the light of this central passage. Pauls suffering
- and any suffering Christians may go through - is to be seen as part of what it means to
follow the one who himself suffered; it is part of what work[ing] out your salvation with
fear and trembling means (2:12). This theme of suffering is a common one for Paul, and
indeed the rest of the New Testament.
Suffering, even in terms of physical imprisonment, does not mean that the spread of the
gospel need be hindered. (1:12). The letter seems to suggest that other forms of
imprisonment are more serious: lack of unity (2:2), selfish ambition and conceit (2:3), self
interest (2:4), grumbling and arguments (2:14), Judaistic legalism (3:1-11), internal division
(4:2) are all things which hinder the reality of faith and stop the believer from enjoying the
true peace and joy of their salvation (4:4-9).
A striking example of Pauls radical view of life and suffering is his attitude to death, as
expressed in 1:18b-26, 2:17-18. An attitude which is possible because of the glorification
of Jesus.
Structure
Our series on Philippians will take one chapter at a time, concentrating on the centrality
of Christ to the Christian life.
Living is Christ
Serving Like Christ
Knowing Christ
Riches in Christ
A more details structure might look like this2:
A. Opening
B. Letter Body
A. Thanksgiving and Prayer
B. The Priority of the Gospel
A. The Progress of the Gospel
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Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
1:1-2
1:3-4:20
1:3-11
1:12-26
1:12-14

This is adapted from various sources, including OBrien PT, 1991, 38-39 and Marshall H et al, 2002, 137.

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B. Motives for Preaching the Gospel

C. Life and Death
C. The Life of Gospel People
A. Courage through Opposition
B. Unity and Humility
C. The Example of Jesus
D. Living out the Gospel
D. Examples of Christian Lives
E. Warning against Judaisers
F. Practical Instruction
A. Unity and Joy
B. Financial gift
C. Closing Greetings

1:15-18a
1:18b-26
1:27-2:18
1:27-30
2:1-5
2:6-11
2:12-18
2:19-30
3:1-4:1
4:2-20
4:2-9
4:10-20
4:21-23

For today
There are various aspects on this letter which make it especially applicable to life as a
Christian today3.
First, Pauls attitude to death. In a world which sees nothing beyond the here and now, a
healthy and biblical attitude to what lies beyond death is essential for a genuine
Christian life.
Second, the centrality of the life, death and glorification of Jesus to all that Paul is and
does is something the modern church would do well to emulate.
Third, the whole question of suffering and its role on the Christian life. In the western
church, we have come to see suffering is abnormal, Philippians helps us to regain a
biblical perspective.
Further Reading
This is a small selection of books available. Those marked * are more advanced and
detailed commentaries.
Bruce FF, 1989, Philippians, Paternoster Press, ISBN 0-85364-665-1
Motyer A, 1984, The Message of Philippians, IVP, ISBN 978-0-85111-186-5
*OBrien PT, 1991, The Epistle to the Philippians, Paternoster Press, ISBN
978-0-8028-2392-2
Wright T, 2002, Paul for Everyone The Prison Letters, SPCK, ISBN 978-0-281-07200-2
For a general introduction to the letters in the New Testament, it is difficult to beat:
Marshall H, Travis S & Paul I, 2002, Exploring the New Testament Volume 2 The Letters
and Revelation, SPCK, ISBN: 0-281-05434-7

2015 Simon Marshall

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svedek@icloud.com

See Marshall H, et al, 2002 140 for mor detail.

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