The Letter of Philippians
A Brief Introduction
The first thing we ought to look at in this lesson is some background material concerning the epistle to the Philippians. We look briefly at the city of Philippi in history and the establishment of the assembly of Christ as recorded in Acts 16. We need to examine:
The occasion of the writing of this letter.
Paul's purpose in writing.
Some of the characteristics of the assembly in Philippi as revealed in the letter and other passages in the Biblical text.
The City of Philippi___For a wonderful review of the city of Philippi, check out the on-line site. (Look Right Here)
A. Originally Called Krenides (“Little Fountains”)
It was renamed Philippi about 356 B.C. By King Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. Its gold was mined and used by Philip to partially finance his military expansion.
It was the scene of the historic battle between Brutus and Cassius, assassins of Julius Caesar, and Anthony and Octavian in 42 B.C.
Soon afterward it was made a Roman Colony, a Rome in miniature.
a. Its citizens enjoyed all the rights of Roman citizens.
b. Many were former Roman soldiers. Since Philippi was on the Egnatian Way it was a very important outpost.
c. When Octavian defeated Anthony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C.(Read about Actium Here) many soldiers of Anthony were dispossessed of their lands in Italy and moved to Philippi.
Philippians were very proud of their Roman colony status. We see this emphasis in both Acts and Philippians.
a. Acts 16:20-21___ “They brought them before the magistrates and said, These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
b. Philippians 1:27__”Whatever happens, conduct yourselves (literally “behave as citizens”) in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. “
c. Philippians 3:20___ “But our citizenship is in heaven. We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippi's modern notoriety.
a. As you can see from examining the Bible places web site, Philippi no longer has a connection to the Roman Empire.
b. It is known today because of a short letter written to the Lord's assembly by an apostle of Christ over 2000 years ago.
B. The Church Established in Philippi___
The Second missionary journey__the new team of Paul, Silas, Timothy. See Acts 15:36-41; 15:1-3.
Paul's vision of the Macedonian (Acts 16:60)
a. The decision to preach in Macedonia. Paul saw a vision in the night in which he saw a man of Macedonia say, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.”
b. Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, joins the team. This is indicated by the pronoun “we” (Acts 16:10).
The conversion of Lydia (Acts 16:11-15).
a. Worshipers of God sought out by Paul and company.
b. Prayer and preaching to the women at the river side. Evidently there was no Synagogue in the city.
c. Conversion of Lydia and her household. They received the word of God and were baptized.
4. The fortune-telling slave girl (Acts 16:16-18).
a. She had the spirit of Pythia__Worked in the temple of Delphi
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πύθων (puthōn 4436) divination English Python. In Greek mythology the name of a serpent or dragon slain by Apollo, then, transferred to Apollo himself; later, spoken of diviners, soothsayers, held to be inspired by the pythian Apollo. They appear to have been a kind of ventriloquists, the spirit being supposed to speak from the belly without motion of the lips.
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b. She followed Paul and Silas throughout the city.
c. Testified that, “These men who declare unto you the way of salvation.” This displeased Paul.
d. Paul cast out the spirit of Pythia and this caused trouble.
Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned (Acts 16:19-24).
Conversion of the jailor and his family (Acts 16:25-34).
a. The earthquake and the startled jailor.
b. The question and answer session.
Leaving Philippi in peace (Acts 16:35-40).
A Small Caveat ___Luke's statement: “Then they left,” indicates that Luke stayed in Philippi. When Paul returned to Macedonia some 5 or 6 years later, Luke again accompanies him and writes in the 1st person again. See Acts 20:1-6.
Paul's Letter to the Assembly at Philippi.
A. The Occasion of the Letter.
Paul's desire to express appreciation for their gift (4:10-19). “I have received full payment and even more: I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (v.18).
The return of Epaphroditus to Philippi (2:25-30). “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent me to take care of my needs.” (v.25). “Welcome him in the Lord and with great joy and honor men like him”(v.29).
B. Paul's Purpose in Writing
To give written expression to his gratitude. He not only thanked God for their gift (4:10-20), but he also thanked God for the Philippians (1:3-8). “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (1:3).
To provide spiritual guidance and instruction which the congregation needed.
a. Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (1:27-30).
b. Be like minded, looking to the interests of others (2:2-3).
c. Have the attitude of Christ (2:5-11).
d. Hold out the word of life (2:14-16).
e. Rejoice in the Lord (3:1; 4:4).
To Fill their hearts and minds with gladness. The words “joy,” “rejoice” are found in verb and noun form 16 times in this letter.
a. “I always pray with joy....” (1:4).
b. “And because of this I rejoice...”(1:18).
c. “I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, “ (1:25).
d. “Your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me” (1:26).
e. “Then make my joy complete by being like minded” (2:2).
f. “ I am glad and rejoice with all of you” (2:16).
g. “So you too should be glad and rejoice with me” (2:18).
h. “Welcome him in the Lord with great joy” (2:19).
i. “ Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord” (3:1).
j.“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again: Rejoice!” (4:4).
k“ You whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown” (4:1).
l. “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.” (4:10).
4. To ask the Philippians to give Epaphroditus a cordial “welcome home” (2:25-30). “Welcome him in the Lord with great joy and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me” (v.29).
5. To Issue two main warnings__chapter 3____
a. Don't be legalistic (3:1:-16). A warning against having “confidence in the flesh” with an illustration from Paul's own life.
b. Against lawlessness (3:17-21). A warning against 'enemies of the cross” whose destiny is destruction, whose god is their stomach, whose glory is their shame and whose mind is on earthly things. (Democrats).
6. To report on his circumstances (1:12-26).
C. The Character of the Assembly___
A close relationship to Paul. The Philippian congregation was perhaps closer to Paul than any other congregation__his “joy and crown” (4:1). “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart: for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (1:7-8).
Two main blemishes___________
a. Disunity__exhortations to be united.
1) “....that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” (1:27).
2) “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (2:2).
3) “ I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord” (4:2)
b. Despondency__emphasis on joy, rejoice, a life of trust and contentment and apart from anxiety.
3. This was the least Jewish congregation begun by Paul. It was a military and not a mercantile city. There was no Synagogue; no quoting from the OT. There were some Jewish elements there concerning which Paul gave a strong warning: “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are in the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh” (3:2-3).
4. Women were important. This was true in Macedonia generally where women held higher positions of
honor and esteem than in most other parts of the Roman empire.
b. Euodia and Syntyche__”....women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel” (Phil. 4:2-3).
It was an organized congregation with “overseers and deacons” (Phil. 1:1).
a. Elders or overseers were found in the early days of the assembly in Jerusalem.__”This they did, sending their gifts to the elders by Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:30).
b. Paul and Barnabas had appointed elders for the congregation on their first missionary journey.”Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each congregation and with prayer and fasting committed them to the Lord in whom they had put their trust” (Acts 14:23).
c. Qualifications of elders or overseers as well as deacons are given in Paul's writings. See 1st Tim. 3. Also in Titus chapter one.
The Philippian congregation was an obedient assembly. We find no flagrant violations of God's will or a spirit of rebellion to the lordship of Jesus.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed__not only in my presence but now much more in my absence....” (2:12).
It was a generous congregation. Despite their own “extreme poverty.” Philippi being one of the “Macedonian congregations”....gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing with the saints.....” (2nd Cor. 8:1-5).
It was an evangelistic congregation.
a. “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (1:4-5).
b. “ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one congregation shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessaloncia, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need” (4:15-16).
The Assembly at Philippi was a persecuted congregation. “Without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you...For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have” (1:28-30).
The conclusion to this matter as we shall see is this study will show what finding true happiness means.
It reveals the secret of true happiness.
It reveals the man who learned the secret.
It reveals the Christ who taught him the secret.