Introduction to the Book of Philippians

Introduction

The City of Philippi

The city of Philippi is located in Macedonia (modern-day Greece) and should not be confused with Caesarea Philippi which was located in the northern Galilee region near Mount Hermon. The city was founded as Crenides by settlers from Thasos (a nearby Greek island in the Aegean Sea) around 360 B.C., but only a few years later, in about 356 B.C., Philip II of Macedonia conquered the city and renamed it Philippi in honor of himself. The city was along a 700-mile long Roman highway known as the Via Egnatia that stretched from the Adriatic coast to Byzanthium (later Constantinople, now Istanbul). The nearby port in Neapolis served as Philippi's access to the Aegean Sea.

The Church and People

Planted by Paul on his second missionary journey, this was the first church he founded in Macedonia. He was guided by the Holy Spirit to Macedonia. While in Troas Paul received a vision that directed him to Macedonia (see Acts 16:6-10). The Jewish population was small and had no synagogue. While in Philippi Paul encountered a proselyte named Lydia who became a believer (see Acts 16:11-15). It was in Philippi when Paul and Silas were pestered by a demon-possessed slave girl who was constantly calling out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." Paul at one time called out the demon and it left her, leaving her useless to her owner who was using her to tell fortunes. The owner got upset and had Paul and Silas arrested. While in jail there was a large earthquake and all the doors in the jail opened. When the jailer saw this he was ready to kill himself, but Paul stopped him. The jailer and his family became believers the next day (see Acts 16:16-40).

The Philippians truly cared for Paul, and he felt the same way about them. Even though they weren’t wealthy, they were the only ones who financially supported him during a difficult part of his ministry (see Philippians 4:15). Years later, they once again sent him a generous gift when he was again in need. Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian congregation to express his gratitude for their generous gift (see Philippians 4:10–19), and to let them know how he was doing (see Philippians 1:12–26). He also explained why he was sending Epaphroditus back to them (see Philippians 2:25–30), and he warned them about the risk of false teachers (see Philippians 3:2, 18–19).

The Epistle of Joy

The book of Philippians is a favorite among many Christians as it is the “go to” book when one needs encouragement or has a strong desire to rejoice and praise God. It is just four chapters long and doesn’t take long to read. However, to make up for its size, it contains some very straightforward theological premises. But that’s not why it’s popular, it’s about joy and the joyous Christian experience! So much so that it’s hard to believe that such a joyous epistle was written while Paul was in prison.

In spite of his difficult circumstances as a prisoner in Rome, Paul is rejoicing. The secret of his joy is the single mind; he lives for Christ and the Gospel. (Christ is named eighteen times in Philippians 1, and the Gospel is mentioned six times.) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). But what really is “the single mind”? It is the attitude that says, “It makes no difference what happens to me, just as long as Christ is glorified and the Gospel shared with others.” Paul rejoiced in spite of his circumstances, because his circumstances strengthened the fellowship of the Gospel (Phil. 1:1–11), promoted the furtherance of the Gospel (Phil. 1:12–26), and guarded the faith of the Gospel (Phil. 1:27–30).^[1]

Why is it called the epistle of joy? To begin with it contains sixteen words that can be translated as joy, rejoice, or gladness, and are often used as synonyms for each other. They are the Greek words: chara, to rejoice, joy, rejoicing, gladness, great happiness (found five times); chairō, meaning to rejoice, be glad, well-being, great joy (we can count nine of them in this epistle); and synchairō, to rejoice together, to enjoy the state of joy with someone else (found twice). Of course it contains everyone’s favorite reminder to always rejoice, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4, ESV)

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[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 64). Victor Books.

Navigation

Outline

I. Chapter One

A. Greeting to Believers in Philippi (Philippians 1:1-2)

B. Thanksgiving and Prayer of Blessing (Philippians 1:3-11)

C. The Advancement of the Gospel (Philippians 1:12-18a)

D. To Live is Christ (Philippians 1:18b-30)

II. Chapter Two

A. Jesus is the Ultimate Example of Humility (Philippians 2:1-11)

B. Shine as Lights in the World (Philippians 2:12-18)

C. Regarding Timothy and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:19-30)

III. Chapter Three

A. Righteousness from God Depends on Faith in Christ (Philippians 3:1-11)

B. Straining Forward and Pressing on Toward the Goal (Philippians 3:12-21)

IV. Chapter Four

A. Stand Firm and Rejoice in Confidence! (Philippians 4:1-9)

B. Understanding God’s Provision (Philippians 4:10-20)

C. Final Greetings (Philippians 4:21-23)