Philippians - Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Philippi was a leading city of Macedonia, the northern province of Greece.¹ Because many Roman citizens and Roman soldiers had settled there, it had been made a Roman colony (see Acts 16:12 and comment).

Paul first came to Philippi during his second missionary journey. That was the first time the Gospel of Christ had been preached in the continent of Europe. It was here at Philippi, then, that the Gospel first spread to Europe from Asia. Remember, Christianity is not a European or Western religion: it began in Asia.

Paul first went to Philippi because of a vision he received, in which a man from Macedonia said to him: “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9-10).

Paul’s first visit to Philippi is described in Acts 16:11-40. Later, Paul visited Philippi again during his third missionary journey (Acts 20:1,6).

Most Bible scholars believe that Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians in about 60-61 A.D., while he was a prisoner in ROME. These scholars believe that Paul wrote his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians and to Philemon during that same imprisonment.

For further information about Paul’s life, see Romans: Introduction.

OUTLINE

1. Introduction (1:1-26).
   1. Thanksgiving and Prayer (1:1-11).
   2. Paul’s Situation in Rome (1:12-26).
2. Exhortations (1:27-2:18).
   1. Exhortation to Steadfastness and Unity (1:27-2:4).
   2. The Example of Christ (2:5-2:11).
   3. Exhortation to Work Out One’s Salvation (2:12-2:18).
3. Plans and Warnings (2:19-3:21).
   1. Plans for Coming Visits (2:19-30).
   2. Warnings Against False Teachers (3:1-21).
4. Concluding Remarks (4:1-23).
   1. Final Exhortations (4:1-9).
   2. The Philippians’ Gifts to Paul (4:10-23).