AN OVERVIEW OF PHILIPPIANS
AN OVERVIEW OF PHILIPPIANS
The book of Philippians was written by the apostle Paul during his first Roman imprisonment, ca. 62-63 AD. It is therefore one of the four books often called the “Prison Epistles.” The other three are Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. This letter was carried from Rome to Philippi by Epaphroditus, apparently a member of the Philippian congregation.
What is the structure of the book?
I. A Focused Mind (1:1-30)
A. Introduction (1-2)
B. A focused prayer (3-11)
C. A focused service (12-30)
II. A Christ-Like Mind (2:1-30)
A. The example of Christ (1-11)
B. The example of Paul (12-18)
C. The example of Timothy (19-24)
D. The example of Epaphroditus (25-30)
III. A Right-Valued Mind (3:1-4:1)
A. A Christian challenge (1-2)
B. A Christian valuation (3-14)
C. A Christian pattern (15-4:1)
IV. A Secured Mind (4:2-23)
A. Secured in unity (2-3)
B. Secured in joy and virtue (4-9)
C. Secured in contentment (10-13)
D. Secured in mutual care (14-20)
E. Closing (21-23)
Key Verses: 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ Who strengtheneth me.”
Key Thoughts of the Book:
1. Paul founded the congregation in Philippi ca. A.D. 51, and was badly treated in this city during his stay there (Acts 16:12-40). There he converted Lydia and her household, the Philippian jailor and his household, and likely others as well. The city of Philippi was a Roman colony, meaning that it was exempt from certain taxations, military veterans were settled there, and there was a strong allegiance to the empire. The city itself was modeled on Rome, with a municipal government, a forum, and city architecture mirroring those at the imperial city. Undoubtedly this was a very patriotic city, and in Roman culture, patriotism and civic duty was also linked with religious practice. Imagine the difficulty in carrying the Gospel, with its message about the One and Only God, to this zealously idolatrous city.
This is important for understanding how Paul draws parallels between what he is experiencing in Rome with what the Philippians are experiencing at home. If they were to live and preach the gospel in “little Rome,” they could know that he was doing the same in “big Rome.”
2. What was Paul’s purpose in writing this book? First, as we see in 2:25-30 and 4:14-20, the Philippian brethren had sent support to Paul by means of Epaphroditus. He wanted to thank them for their continued financial support, describing their gifts in Old Testament terms of worship to God. Second, he was responding to disunity that was extant in the congregation. Apparently the brethren were failing to serve one another and had become egocentric (2:1-8). Euodias and Syntyche were two Christian sisters who were at odds with one another (4:2). Consequently, he pleaded for them to imitate Christ and to become unified behind Him. He used himself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus as examples of individuals imitating the selfless Christ. Third, he was worried about persecutions faced by these Christians. As he noted in 1:27-30, there were conflicts faced by these brethren, likely both from the Gentiles, as well as from Judaizing teachers (3:1-3). So he encouraged them not to flag under pressures, and not to let the Jewish elements steer them into worrying about fleshly qualifications for Christianity.
3. It is clear that this is a warm and personal letter. The pronoun “I” is used 65 times, showing his first-person interest and involvement in their affairs. Furthermore, he uses himself as an example to help them make needed adjustments in their own conduct. He also struggled against those who generated strife in Rome (1:12-18). He, too, faced conflicts in his work (1:27-30). He worked selflessly on behalf of others (2:17-18). In discussing Judaizers, he used himself as an example of not giving in to their demands (3:4-11, 17). And he also showed how he could be content and rejoice while incarcerated in Rome for preaching Christianity (4:10-13). His own efforts had resulted in the conversion of some individuals from the imperial household (1:13; 4:22)! They could look to him as one who followed personally the instructions that he had given them!
4. This is a book meant to bring forth joy from its recipients. While it does identify certain problems and challenges facing these brethren, it also points to the Christ Who brings joy in all circumstances, and to the purpose for life bound up in Him. Often called, “the epistle of joy,” the terms “joy” and “rejoice,” or some variant form of these words, is found 16 times in these four chapters. It has been stated that there are at least three reasons for studying this book: 1) it reveals the secret of true happiness (joy – RB); 2) it reveals the man who learned the secret (Paul – RB); and 3) it reveals the Christ Who taught him the secret.
