Life of Paul - Letter to the Philippians

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 61 to 63

Scripture: Philippians,

NOTE: Paul wrote all four books while in Rome as a prisoner. Philippians was sent to Philippi by Epaphroditus.

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THE LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS

A letter from the Apostle Paul to the church at Philippi, in Macedonia (northern Greece). Philippians is one of four so-called Prison Letters attributed to Paul, but it does not share many similarities with the other three (Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon).

While still in prison, Paul also reaches out to the Christians in Philippi, with whom he has maintained close ties since his three visits to their city. Paul feels a special relationship with the Philippians, not only because of his close association with them in past years but also because they have often generously contributed to his support. Paul’s immediate purpose for writing a letter to the Philippians was to thank them for a gift they had sent him (Philippians 4:14–18). Their messenger, Epaphroditus, had recovered from a serious illness and could carry this letter as he returned to Philippi (2:25–30). Paul’s authorship of the letter to the Philippians has never been seriously questioned.

Paul wrote Philippians from Rome between A.D. 61 and 63. Paul was in prison (Philippians 1:12–14), and references to the “palace guard” (1:13) and “Caesar’s household” (4:22) might suggest imprisonment in Rome. If so, this letter would have been written sometime after Paul was first placed under Roman guard (Acts 28:16).

Their latest gifts were brought by Epaphroditus, who had become seriously ill after staying to work with Paul. Paul is sending him back now with his letter to his Philippian disciples.

In this letter, Paul is writing to a small-town congregation in which two women, Euodia and Syntyche, have had a falling out. As is so often the case when personality conflicts develop, their animosity is splitting the whole church. Therefore, Paul pleads with these two women--and indeed all Christians--to learn to love each other more.

Paul bases his appeal on the bedrock example of Christ's humility and putting others' interests first, even at great personal cost. The apostle urges them to sacrifice their selfish feelings and commit themselves to working out their problems, particularly because their pagan neighbors are watching their behavior. He points out that his appeal is not based upon any credentials that he might have, but upon the compelling love of Christ which was demonstrated in his life and sacrificial death. This love, says Paul, is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy--and the only basis upon which fractured groups or interpersonal relationships may be healed.

The Prison Letters

The historical record of the Book of Acts comes to an end with Paul's two years in Rome. What is known after this about the work of Paul and other church leaders must be pieced together from other accounts. However, it appears that Paul may have been released from house arrest and permitted to be free for a while, perhaps up to two or three years. During this time. Paul evidently travels to Crete, where he leaves Titus, and also again to Ephesus where he leaves Timothy. Therefore, Paul goes by the way of Miletus and Troas, on to the region of Macedonia, perhaps by A.D. 63-64.

NIV Study Bible Intro: Philippians

https://youtu.be/Fc637IJ3f6w