The Epistle To The Philippians

by Micky Galloway

Philippi was one of the principal cities in northern Greece, in the area called Macedonia in Paul’s time. It lay near the seacoast about eight miles inland from its seaport, Neapolis (cf. Acts 16:11-12). In ancient times the site of Philippi was called Krenides, which means “little fountains,” from the numerous springs that surrounded it. This area once contained rich deposits of gold and silver. Philippi was founded by Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great and was called after his name. Philip received significant revenues from the gold mining industry in the area.

The number of Jewish residents at Philippi was small. Philippi was for the most part a military city. There was no synagogue at Philippi, only a place of prayer by the riverside (Acts 16:13). Those meeting there on the Sabbath consisted mostly of women. The residents regarded Jews as outsiders and troublemakers. Acts 16:20 says of Paul and Silas, “These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city…” It must be remembered that not only were Jews generally hated and suspected, but that they had lately been driven out of Rome (Acts 18:2).

Paul first came to Philippi about 52 AD during his second preaching trip. This was the first city in Europe where Paul preached. Paul sailed from Troas, with Silas, Timothy, and Luke, and came to Neapolis, “and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony…” (Acts 16:11). For a full account of the events occurring at Philippi, the reader is referred to Acts 16:12-34.

Lydia was one of a number of women who had gathered by the riverside to worship on the Sabbath day. Paul and Silas sat down, and spoke to the women that had come together. Acts 16:15 says, “And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide (there). And she constrained us.” Lydia and her household were the first to be converted to the Lord in Philippi.

An unbelieving jailor became the next to be converted to the Lord. After casting out a demon from a slave girl, Paul and Silas were severely beaten with rods and placed in prison. The jailor was charged to keep them securely. He locked them in the inner prison and added to their torture by putting their feet in stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were singing hymns to God. Then suddenly a great earthquake shook the very foundations of the prison. Immediately all the doors were opened; and everyone’s bands were loosed. The jailor was awakened by the earthquake and seeing the doors of the prison open, supposed that the prisoners had fled. Knowing that death awaited him, he drew his sword resolving that suicide was better than disgrace as a Roman official. Paul said, “Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.” With this the jailor called for lights and went into the prison. He fell down before Paul and Silas and asked the most important question of his life, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” He was instructed to “believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Acts 16:32-34 says, “And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.” These prisoners had become the jailor’s guests. When morning came Paul and Silas “... went out of the prison, and entered into (the house) of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed” (Acts 16:40). No doubt the jailor was directed to Lydia and her household and others who might have been converted in the meantime. So, now there was a congregation of the Lord’s people in Philippi, in Europe. Timothy and Luke were left behind to care for these beloved saints and to further serve this new church in Philippi.

After Paul’s departure the Philippian Christians experienced persecutions, as Paul had. “Even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace … and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God; because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf: having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me” (Philippians 1:7, 28-30). Paul revisited Philippi and other churches in Macedonia about five years later during his third preaching trip. No other church gave Paul any more joy and satisfaction. No wonder he referred to them as “my joy and crown” (Philippians 4:1). The church supported him financially on a number of occasions, even when he went to Thessalonica just after leaving Philippi the first time (Philippians 4:15-16). They had established their liberality even though they were in deep poverty (cf. II Corinthians 8:1-5).

The Philippians had sent to Paul by the hand of Epaphroditus while he was imprisoned in Rome. He had traveled seven hundred miles over land and sea, exposing himself to great peril to bring the gift from the Philippians. Perhaps they had intended that Epaphroditus remain in Rome and attend to Paul. However, Epaphroditus became very ill, “nigh unto death” (Philippians 2:27). The Philippians heard of his illness and he learned of their concern. This chain of events was the immediate occasion of Paul’s writing to the Philippians. Epaphroditus was sent back with the letter filled with commendation, encouragement, gratitude and love.

This epistle was written by Paul to the “saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” while he was in “bonds” in Rome (Philippians 1:7-13). He sent greeting from the “saints … that are of Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22). Paul expressed confidence that he would visit Philippi again (Philippians 1:26; 2:24). All this indicates that the epistle was written during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment which lasted two years (Acts 28:30). Therefore this epistle was written toward the end of the imprisonment, in the year AD 63.

Philippians is an epistle of joy. Such words as “joy” and “rejoice” occur no less than sixteen times in the letter. Paul was thankful for his brethren, for the fellowship he had with them (1:3-11), for the victories afforded him in preaching the gospel even in suffering (1:12-18), and for the hope of salvation (1:19-26).

Developing the mind of Christ is another great theme of the book (Philippians 2:2-11). Timothy was commended for having his mind set on Christ (Philippians 2:19-21). The book also emphasizes the right kind of values. Paul counted everything loss for Christ (Philippians 3:8) and insisted that “as many as are perfect, be thus minded” (Philippians 3:15). The last chapter contains several admonitions to reflect the good mind. Euodia and Syntyche are exhorted to be of the same mind (Philippians 4:2). From a Roman prison Paul instructed them to “rejoice in the Lord” and not to be “anxious” (Philippians 4:4-6). He instructed them, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Paul had learned contentment even in Roman imprisonment (Philippians 4:11).

Paul closed this epistle acknowledging, “But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things (that came) from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now unto our God and Father (be) the glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:18-20).