Philippiens
Summary Philippians is a letter the apostle Paul sent to the believers of the church in Philippi while he was in prison. Although he was in the dark circumstances of imprisonment, the words ‘joy’ and ‘thanksgiving’ are repeated constantly throughout the book, so it is known as the ‘letter of joy.’ It emphasizes humility and unity in imitation of Christ, and the joy of citizens of heaven that is not lost even in suffering.
- Date written
- AD 61-62
- Historical period
- Early church era
Background
The character of the city of Philippi: Philippi was a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a ‘Roman colony’ under direct Roman administration where many retired Roman soldiers lived. Its residents took great pride in being Roman citizens and followed Roman law and culture exactly. The first church in Europe: The church in Philippi was the very first church Paul founded after he saw a vision during his second missionary journey and moved his steps from Asia to Europe (Acts 16). ‘Lydia,’ a seller of purple goods, and the prison ‘jailer’ were among its first members. The occasion for the letter: The church in Philippi sent financial support (a mission offering) by the hand of Epaphroditus to help Paul in prison. Paul expressed his thanks for this warm love, and when Epaphroditus recovered from his illness and was returning home, Paul sent this letter with him.
Content
Philippians consists of four chapters in all and deals in depth with the attitude of the Christian life. Chapter 1: A Life Worthy of the Gospel & Joy in Suffering Paul confesses that his imprisonment has actually served to advance the gospel. Declaring that whether he lives or dies he desires that Christ be honored in his body, he urges the believers to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) Chapter 2: Imitate the Humility of Christ (the Christ Hymn) Warning against signs of division in the church, he tells them to have ‘the mind of Christ’ for the sake of oneness and unity. Philippians 2:5–11, one of the most beautiful Christological passages in Scripture, praises the humility of Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, humbled Himself and died on the cross, and praises God who exalted Him. Chapter 3: Guarding Against Legalism & Pressing On Toward the Goal Paul confesses that he counts all the credentials he once boasted of as a Jew (his lineage, his righteousness under the law) as ‘rubbish’ compared with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. He declares that, forgetting what lies behind, he presses on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He also reminds them that our citizenship is not on this earth (Rome) but ‘in heaven.’ Chapter 4: Rejoice in the Lord & the Secret of Contentment Paul urges two women leaders of the church (Euodia and Syntyche) to agree in the Lord, and blesses the believers, telling them not to be anxious about anything but to pray. Finally, saying that he has learned ‘the secret of contentment,’ knowing how to face any circumstance, he expresses deep gratitude for the support of the church in Philippi. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)