Philippians

Philippians

The letter to the Philippians was written while the apostle Paul was in prison probably from Rome about a.d.. 62, though we cannot know for sure. Other possible locations for the writing of the letter could have been Ephesus or Caesarea (sometime between a.d.. 54 and 62).

The Recipients. The Philippian church was founded about a.d.. 50-51, approximately a decade before the writing of the letter, during Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 16:12-40). Paul and Silas arrived in Philippi and apparently found no Jewish synagogue. There was, however, a place of prayer by the riverside where some women met on the Sabbath to pray. One of these women, Lydia, believed the gospel message Paul preached. As a result of her gratitude to God and to the missionaries, she opened her home to them.

After the missionaries had settled in Philippi, they were arrested when Paul exorcised a demon from a slave girl because her masters aroused opposition against the preachers. They were beaten, thrown into prison, and fastened in stocks. Yet Paul and Silas were still able to praise God and sing hymns. While they were in prison, there was an earthquake, and all the doors were immediately opened. The events of the evening set the stage for the conversion of the jailor and his household. Through the ministry of Paul and Silas, many in Philippi became Christians, and a church was established (see Acts 16).

When Paul and Silas, along with Timothy, left Philippi, Luke, the doctor, remained. Luke apparently did much to help stabilize the young congregation and enhance its outreach ministry.

Philippi was a Roman colony located on the great northern east-west highway, called the Egnatian Way. Philippi took its name from Philip II, Alexander the Great's father. Just west of town near the Gangitis River, Antony and Octavian defeated Cassius and Brutus in 42 b.c. In 30 b.c. Octavian made the town a Roman colony for retired soldiers and bestowed upon Philippi the full privileges of Roman citizenship. The Philippians took great pride in their privileges as Roman citizens and lived as faithful citizens of Rome, a point to which Paul appealed for illustration purposes in 3:20.

Women in this colony, as in most of the province of Macedonia, were treated with respect. As reflected in the church (Phil. 4:2-3), the women in this area were active in public life.

Theme. A continuous note of joy in Christ is sounded throughout the letter. Despite Paul's testings and the difficulties encountered by the church (Phil. 1:27-30), the theme of joy in Christ is echoed eighteen times in the four chapters of this letter. An exemplary text of this theme is Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Literary Form. As the letter now stands, there is some question concerning its unity and sequence. This has led some scholars to hypothesize that Philippians contains two or three letters joined together by the collector of Paul's letters. The questions involve the placement of the matter concerning Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30), which might be expected to come at the end of the letter rather than the middle. Also the farewell and benediction (4:4-9) seem appropriate for the letter's closing. The conclusion, however, does not occur until after the section concerning the Philippians' generous gifts (4:10-20), which some might expect to begin the letter. In addition there is an emotional outburst (3:2) that is surprising.

While some expect Paul to have been more logical and orderly, the literary structure of the book reveals the hypothesis, however interesting, to be unprovable. The fact that Philippians is an informal letter, probably produced over a period of time, helps explain the roughness of style and the questionable sequence of the letter.

Much discussion has also centered around the origin and interpretation of 2:5-11. It is widely held that this section exemplifies an early Christian hymn or confession that Paul used in support of his appeal for humility. Whether or not this is the case, there is no reason to doubt that Philippians 2:5-11 formed a part of the epistle as originally composed by Paul.

Purpose and Theology. Paul wrote this letter for several reasons:

1. He wanted to explain why he was sending Epaphroditus back to them (2:25-30).

2. He wanted to let them know of his plan to send Timothy to them (2:19-24).

3. He wanted to thank the Philippian church for their concern for him and their generous gifts to him (4:10-20).

4. He desired to inform them of his own circumstances and the advancement of the gospel (1:12-26).

5. He wanted to exhort the church to live in humility, fellowship, and unity (1:27-2:11; 4:2-3).

6. He also needed to warn them concerning the false teachings of legalism, perfectionism, and careless living (3:1-4:1).

The letter is extremely practical, but the guidance and warnings are theologically based: Paul's joy was grounded in Christ, as is all of life. In this sense the letter is thoroughly Christ-centered. The preexistence, incarnation, and exaltation of Christ is set forth in 2:5-11. Christ's incarnation is offered as an example for Paul's appeal to humble living and Christian unity (2:1-4).

Paul explained his doctrine of justification by faith in contrast to a false legalism (3:1-9). He contended for a sanctified life by identification with Christ through faith, sharing in His sufferings, death, and the power of His resurrection (3:10-11). Paul exhorted the church to set its mind on heavenly, rather than earthly, realities because Christians are destined for life in the age to come (3:17-4:1).

1. Greetings (1:1-2)
2. Paul's Joy (1:3-11)
3. Paul's Response (1:12-26)
4. Paul's Plea (1:27-2:18)
5. Paul's Commendation (2:19-30)
6. Paul's Warning (3:1-11)
7. Paul's Exhortation (3:12-4:1)
8. Paul's Advice (4:2-9)
9. Paul's Thanksgiving (4:10-20)
10. Conclusion (4:21-23)

Greetings (1:1-2)

The letter addressed the church in Philippi. Paul and Timothy, who were servants of Christ Jesus, wrote to the saints. "Saints" refers to all believers set apart for God's service. The mention of overseers and deacons indicates a developing maturity in the organization of ung church.

Paul's Joy (1:3-11)

Paul's concern and love for the church was evidenced by his thanksgiving and prayer for them. His prayer is full of joy because of their fellowship in the gospel, the confidence of God's continued work in their lives, and because they also shared in God's grace along with Paul. Paul desired for them to abound in richer and deeper spiritual understanding so that they will be blameless until the day of Christ. The day of Christ will be a time of judgment of the believers' works at the Lord's appearing when their faithfulness will be rewarded.

Difficult Circumstances (1:12-26)

Paul demonstrated a confident joy in the midst of his situation. If Paul was writing from Rome, his tribulations included mob violence, imprisonment, shipwreck, personal stress, and long detention under the palace guards (2 Cor. 11:23-33). Paul rejoiced that in spite of his circumstances the gospel was being preached, even by those opposing him.

Paul informed them of his past and present situation and consciously weighed the alternatives for his future. The joy of Paul's life was grounded in his Christ-centered life. He stated, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Dying was gain because it meant to be with Christ, the better by far. Yet it was the Lord's will for Paul to remain in this life because it was more helpful for the Philippians' progress and joy in the faith.

Christian Unity (1:27-2:18)

In this very significant section of the letter, Paul urged the church members to dismiss their pride and to live and serve together in unity. Anything less falls short of the gospel's standards. True unity will be realized by authentic meekness and selflessness, ultimately exemplified in the earthly life of Jesus. The attitude the church should exhibit was the one Jesus maintained.

Jesus' self-emptying served as the basis for the apostle's exhortation. Philippians 2:5-11, possibly a quotation from an early hymn in praise of Christ, taught that Jesus' self-emptying led to His exaltation by the Father. Jesus existed in the very nature of God and made Himself nothing, not giving up His deity but His heavenly glory and privileges. He lived a life of humble obedience and humbled Himself even to the point of dying for sinners on the cross. He was then gloriously exalted in His resurrection and ascension.

Paul's exhortation to unity involved Christians' working out their salvation with fear and trembling. This action brings about a spiritual community void of complaining and friction. They are encouraged to live as lights in the world, thus holding out the word of life to others and providing joy for the apostle on the day of Christ.

Humility (2:19-30)

Paul was willing to sacrifice himself in service for the church at Philippi and warmly commended his coworkers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, for their humble and sacrificial service as well. He told of his plan to send Timothy to them when there was further news for him to give. Also he offered an explanation for Epaphroditus's return to them. Paul wanted to be sure the Philippians did not think that Epaphroditus failed in his task to serve Paul.

Self-Righteousness (3:1-11)

Paul warned of the dangers of turning aside to depend on legalistic standards rather than on the grace of God in Christ. Paul labeled these false teachers "dogs, those who do evil, mutilators of the flesh." The church must have been aware of these false teachers, Judaizers, who followed Paul everywhere, insisting that Gentile believers should be circumcised and keep the ceremonial law in order to be saved. Instead, Paul taught that true circumcision involved faith in Christ. He offered himself as an example of one who in his past trusted in human achievement instead of the justifying grace of God and the all-sufficiency of Christ. (See the article "Justification by Faith.")

The object of joy, of concentration, indeed of all of life is Christ. Paul's purpose in life was to know Christ experientially, becoming like Him in His death and attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Christian Maturity (3:12-4:1)

Like an athlete who does not waste time looking around or looking back, Paul exerted his all-out effort to reach the finish line of Christian maturity. He did not presume to have attained perfection and therefore fully pursued the goal of God's upward call in Christ Jesus. He likewise called for the Philippians to move forward in their Christian lives.

Simultaneously in this exhortation he strongly denounced the false teachings of careless living, on the one hand, and spiritual perfectionism on the other. He appealed for unity and maturity by reminding them that they were citizens of heaven. Because the Philippians were intensely proud of their Roman citizenship, they would have quickly grasped all that Paul meant. Finally, he reminded them that they would be transformed at the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Joy and Peace (4:2-9)

There was some hint of division in the church. Paul appealed to Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other and for the entire church to stand firm in the Lord. Paul offered them a prescription for receiving God's peace, to rejoice in the Lord, and to let their thoughts be filled with that which is good, lovely, and true.

Thanksgiving (4:10-20)

Paul rejoiced and offered thanksgiving for the Philippians' generous care for him. He had learned to be satisfied in whatever situation he found himself in the Lord's service. This word of contentment and thanksgiving came from a man in prison facing death, a man who had been beaten, stoned, and hounded by his enemies. The basis for such contentment was found in his confidence that he could do everything through Christ who gave him strength (4:13). Paul commended them for their generosity. From the first, even at great cost to themselves, they had shared with the apostle. In all of this Paul displayed his attitude toward material things and urged them to realize that God would meet all their needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion (4:21-23)

Paul concluded his letter with a benediction and personal greetings. He also sent greetings from Caesar's household, which included Christian members of the emperor's staff.

Theological Significance. In this letter we learn the importance of church unity (1:27-30) and Christian humility (2:1-4). Christ's humility serves as the basis of Christian humility, which is the key for genuine Christian unity. Paul's suffering during his imprisonment also serves as a foundation for teaching abasement and humility (1:12-18; 4:10-13). Alongside abasement and suffering is joy, the great theme of the letter. In all of life's circumstances believers can experience joy. For it is in suffering and sacrifice that true joy is found. Paul's exhortation to rejoice is a much-needed and practical word for believers at all times in all situations.

Questions for Reflection

1. What does this letter teach us about hardship and suffering?
2. What should be our attitude concerning material things?
3. What can we learn about what Jesus has done for us in providing our salvation and offering us an example of selfless living?
4. How can we demonstrate unity in our churches so as to avoid conflict and bickering?
5. What can we learn through the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus?

Sources for Additional Study

Bruce, F. F. Philippians, A Good News Commentary. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1983.

Martin, Ralph P. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1959.

Melick, Richard R., Jr. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman, 1991.

Motyer, J. A. The Message of Philippians. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1984.