The Epistle to the Philippians is a significant book in the New Testament of the Bible. This epistle is attributed to Paul the Apostle, with Timothy named as co-author or co-sender. The letter is addressed to the Christian church in Philippi, a city in Macedonia.
Authorship and Date of Writing[]
The early church was unanimous in its testimony that Philippians was written by the apostle Paul. Internally, the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness, with many personal references of the author fitting what we know of Paul from other New Testament books. It is evident that Paul wrote the letter from prison. The most likely place of origin is Rome, around 62 AD, or about 10 years after Paul’s first visit to Philippi.
Purpose and Themes[]
Paul’s primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent him upon learning of his detention at Rome. However, he also fulfills several other desires:
- To report on his own circumstances
- To encourage the Philippians to stand firm in the face of persecution and rejoice regardless of circumstances
- To exhort them to humility and unity
- To commend Timothy and Epaphroditus to the Philippian church
- To warn the Philippians against the Judaizers (legalists) and antinomians (libertines) among them
Paul encourages the Philippians to live as citizens of a heavenly city, growing in their commitment to serve God and one another. Jesus is the supreme example of this way of life.
Recipients[]
The city of Philippi was named after King Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. It was a prosperous Roman colony, which meant that the citizens of Philippi were also citizens of the city of Rome itself. Many of the Philippians were retired military men who had been given land in the vicinity and who in turn served as a military presence in this frontier city.
Characteristics[]
Philippians contains no Old Testament quotations. It is a missionary thank-you letter in which the missionary reports on the progress of his work. It manifests a particularly vigorous type of Christian living, such as self-humbling, pressing toward the goal, lack of anxiety, and the ability to do all things.
Composition[]
Starting in the 1960s, a consensus emerged among biblical scholars that Philippians was not written as one unified letter, but rather as a compilation of fragments from three separate letters from Paul to the church in Philippi. However, this consensus has been currently abandoned by most biblical scholars.
Conclusion[]
The Epistle to the Philippians remains a vital part of the New Testament, offering insights into the early Christian church and the teachings of Paul. It continues to inspire and guide Christians worldwide.