Philippi, in northeastern greece, was a city of some importance in the roman province of macedonia. Pangaeus, it was in pauls day a roman town, with a greekmacedonian population and a. The epistle to the philippians, one of pauls prison epistles, was written in rome. Below i have included material on who wrote the book, when it was written, who it was written to, as well as what some of the messages and themes of the book are. The letter to the philippians was a thank you letter written by the apostle paul in response to the philippian churchs continued support of him. Book of philippians introduction and summary learn religions. Paul gives thanks to god for the philippians partnership with him in the gospel from the first day until now phil. He reports that throughout the whole palace guardthat is, right in the center of caesar.
Intro to philippians biblica the international bible society. Paul has been given reason to rejoice by the churchs kind treatment of him, most recently evidenced in. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible. Watch our overview video on the book of philippians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its. Instead, he wrote to express his appreciation and affection for the philippian believers. Paul had been imprisoned at rome sends the church at philippi a love letter of thanks, commending them for their liberal giving. The material below serves as a basic introduction to the book. The words joy and rejoice are used 16 times in the epistle. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. In a book of 104 verses, jesus name or title occurs 51 times. It is obvious who is central in pauls heart, mind, and theology. His attitude shows all christians to rejoice in every situation even suffering, for jesus christ is our example and our prize. The style is abrupt and discontinuous, his fervor of affection leading him to pass rapidly from one theme to another philippians 2.
It was at philippi, which the apostle visited on his second. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the. Philippians introduction new testament matthew henry. Even when things go wrong, you can have joy by warren w. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see 1. Introduction dear friends in philippi, my name is paul and im joined by timothy, both of us servants of jesus, the anointed one. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. We write this letter to all his devoted followers in your city, including your pastors, and to all the servantleaders of the church. Philippians introduction, the books of the bible nt books. Introduction to the epistle to the philippians grace bible. Introduction to the book of philippians teaching the nations.
Jan 04, 2016 the material below serves as a basic introduction to the book. The letter is the most personal of all the letters of paul that we have today. The one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion philippians 1. The main themes that run through philippians are imitating christs example and rejoicing in every. The church at philippi was one of the most generous in financial support 4. Pauls authorship of this letter is also supported by the testimony of early church fathers such as polycarp and.
Introduction to philippians bible exposition commentary. The book of philippians 4 failing to give roman citizens a proper trial 16. This is a study that i have been looking foreword to for quite some time, yet i am glad that i was not able to start it sooner. In his epistle to the philippians, the apostle paul gave the saints in philippi encouragement and exhorted them to stand fast in unity and work together to defend the faith. They key personalities are the apostle paul, timothy, epaphroditus, euodia, and syntyche. It was written to show his appreciation and love to the philippians in a thankyou letter for their. In it, paul freely expresses his fond affection for the philippians in view of their consistent testimony and support, and lovingly urges them to center their actions and thoughts on the. Pangaeus, it was in pauls day a roman town, with a greekmacedonian population and a small group of jews. The words joy and rejoicing occur eighteen times in this book. Philippians teaches us how important it is to be joyful throughout our journey of becoming like christ.
He fondly brings to their attention the fact that in the early days of their acquaintance with the gospel, when he set out from the province of macedonia, not one church shared with him in the matter or giving and. Philippi was the first city in which the gospel of jesus christ was preached on the continent of. By understanding and devoting ourselves to gods calling and purpose for our lives, we are able to live above the worlds reach and like the apostle please our lord, strengthen our brethren, witness to the lost and find personal fulfillment as christ carries out his purposes through. Introduction to the book of philippians clover sites. It is evident that paul wrote the letter from prison see 1. Philippians in the expositors bible commentary, vol. An introduction to the book of philippians christopher l. Philippians 1 philippians 2 philippians 3 philippians 4. The theme of joy punctuates the epistle 17 times in some form.
Dec 21, 2018 the book of james volume is written in a style that is easy to understand. The book of philippians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Based on cohicks philippians in the story of god bible commentary series, lessons tackle the historical distance between the new testament and contemporary culture. Written by the apostle paul, philippians is a book of encouragement and guidance for christians. Lying on the great road from the adriatic coast to byzantium, the via egnatia, and in the midst of rich agricultural plains near the gold deposits of mt. The philippians course, taught by author and professor lynn cohick, moves through the book of philippians in sixteen engaging units. Hawthorne, philippians, word biblical commentary, pp.
Philippians introduction commentary commentary critical. Summary of the book of philippians story of the bible. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the christians in philippi, probably from rome c. May the blessings of divine grace and supernatural peace that flow from god our wonderful father, and our messiah, the lord. The apostle paul, joined in his salutation by timothy. Popular philippians books meet your next favorite book. Echoes of philippians are found in the writings of. The book of philippians is a letter that paul wrote to the church in philippi and specifically addressing the saints, overseers and the deacons.
Paul, timothy, and epaphroditus try to be good examples as well. The words rejoice, rejoicing, or joy are used seventeen times in the books four brief chapters. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy, and is addressed to the christian church in philippi. Paul ministered at philippi during his second missionary journey, spending about three months in the city. By understanding and devoting ourselves to gods calling and purpose for our lives, we are able to live above the worlds reach and like the apostle please our lord, strengthen our brethren, witness to the lost and find personal fulfillment as christ carries out his purposes. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. There never seems to have been a question about pauline authorship by the church fathers 1. So read this heavenly letter of joy and be encouraged. Paul and silas first visited philippi in greece during pauls second missionary journey, which occurred between. The book of philippians was written in approximately a. The apostle paul wrote the letter to express his gratitude and affection for the philippian church, his strongest supporters in ministry.
This book is known as one of pauls prison epistles colossians, ephesians, philemon, and philippians. Philippi was a roman colony that was inhabited by the veteran of the roman army and there were christians that worked together with paul in his ministry. Two women were prominent in the church philippians 4. Therefore god has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that jesus christ is lord, to the glory of god. Philippians intro to philippians biblica the international bible. Philippians introduction, the passion translation tpt. Check out this commentary, summary and key verses from the book of philiipians. There are over 100 uses of the first person pronoun in this book. Our effort herein is to make it easier to read and understand, while also accurately communicating truth. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Cph new testament commentary will convey the meaning of the verses in the book of philippians.
Philippians introduction, the passion translation tpt the. Introduction to philippians church of jesus christ. Most scholars believe that a roman imprisonment fits the context of pauls life and acts best. This morning we begin our study of pauls epistle to the philippians. Conclusion to philippians bible commentary theology of. The book of philippians is a powerful letter of encouragement. Introduction to the book of philippians 12 philippians is the epistle of joy and encouragement in the midst of adverse circumstances. Paul encourages the philippians to live as citizens of a heavenly city, growing in their commitment to serve god and one another. He then shares several key things on how to do this. The book of philippians was written by paul, a servant of god by the power of the holy spirit. Paul prays for the church to grow in knowledge and depth of insight so we will be filled with the fruit of righteousness.
The apostle paul wrote this letter to the christians in philippi. Watch our overview video on the book of philippians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The philippian church was the first church established in europe. Introduction to the epistle to the philippians grace. Philippians is one of pauls shortest letters and one of the smallest books in the new testament but there are such powerful teachings in this little dynamo.
More than any other church, the believers in philippi offered paul material support for his ministry 2 corinthians 8. The book of philippians is therefore more characteristically gentile. He knows that the philippians are experiencing a lot of opposition, just as he is, so he appeals to his own life as an example of how they should respond. The first and most clear indication of this is phil 1. Martin, the epistle of paul to the philippians, tyndale new testament commentaries.
Philippi is mentioned in the new testament only in the following places and connections. Philippians 1 tpt introduction dear friends in bible. Philippians 1 the passion translation tpt introduction. The many personal references of the author fit what we know of paul from other nt books. After his recovery, paul sent epaphroditus back to philippi carrying with him the letter to the philippian church. Philippians was included among the letters of paul in marcion s heretical canon list ca. Bible study questions on the book of philippians introduction. Discover the basics of the book of philippians with the esv study bible from crossway.
The apostle paul did not write philippians in response to a crisis, as he did with galatians and colossians. Philippians overview albert barnes notes on the whole bible. It is one of the pauline epistles and is found in the new testament of the bible. Index introduction to the book of philippians philippians 1 philippians 2 philippians 3 philippians 4. The joy of the christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of philippians. Cohick offers a clear and compelling introduction to the entire book of. Conclusion to philippians bible commentary theology of work. Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness. Its counsel can bring stability to your life and peace to your heart. Book of philippians, two outlines living beyond the worlds reach philippians outline by paul j.
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