Philippians

Overview

Who

Written by "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ" (1:1). Paul writes in bonds (1:7, 1:13).

Written to "All the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons" (1:1).

When

Traditional view: About AD 61-62, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome.

Scholarly view: Almost all scholars accept that Paul wrote it. Some place it during an imprisonment at Ephesus, about AD 54-55, or at Caesarea.

Where

Written to Philippi, "the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony" (Acts 16:12), where Paul first preached in Europe (Acts 16:12-40).

Written from Traditionally Rome. His bonds are known "in all the palace" (1:13), and he sends greetings from "they that are of Caesar's household" (4:22).

Why

To thank them for the gift they sent by Epaphroditus (4:10, 4:18); to tell them his bonds have furthered the gospel (1:12-14); to urge unity and humility after the mind of Christ (2:1-11); to warn against trusting in the flesh (3:2-9); and to call them to "rejoice in the Lord alway" (4:4).

The Philippians had shared in the gospel with Paul "from the first day" (1:5) and sent to his needs more than once (4:15-16). Epaphroditus, who brought their gift, had been "sick nigh unto death" (2:25-27). Paul asks Euodias and Syntyche to "be of the same mind in the Lord" (4:2).

Outline

1. 1:1-11 Greeting, thanksgiving and prayer
2. 1:12-26 For me to live is Christ
3. 1:27-2:18 Unity and the mind of Christ
4. 2:19-30 Timothy and Epaphroditus
5. 3:1-21 Knowing Christ, not confidence in the flesh
6. 4:1-9 Rejoice; the peace of God
7. 4:10-23 Thanks for their gift

Key themes

• "Rejoice in the Lord alway" (4:4).
• "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (2:5-8).
• Knowing Christ is worth the loss of all things (3:8-10).
• Content in every state, through Christ which strengtheneth him (4:11-13).

From the letter's own text, compared with Acts 16; authorship and dating views summarized from standard introductions.