Feb 10 2020 - Introduction to Paul's Letter to the Philippians

Philippi and the history of its Church

Philippi was a Roman colony situated at the far eastern end of a large fertile plain in central Macedonia and was the urban political centre of its region. It was about 10 miles inland from the seaport of Neapolis and was situated on the Egnatian Way, a major Roman road.  "Its population was both Roman and Greek; and although Latin was the official language, Greek was the predominant language of everyday life" (Fee).

For the circumstances of the church's origin, see Acts 16:6-40. The church evidently included people from a variety of social backgrounds: Lydia the well-to-do business woman, the Philippian jailer and a slave girl. The church had taken Paul to heart and supported him in his continuing missionary activity (Phil 4:15-16 cf. 2 Cor 8:1-5), and has now sent a gift to him in prison (Phil 4:10,18).

It is evident that the church has experienced opposition and has had to face suffering (Phil 1:27-30).  Paul's words suggest that they may be suffering at the hands of the Roman authorities even as he is presently imprisoned by that same power. However, Paul is also concerned that the Philippians may face pressure from Judaisers seeking to persuade them to adopt the protection of Judaism and its law-code (Phil 4:2-3 and following).  Paul is concerned that, at this critical moment in history, these Christians live lives distinct both from Roman society and from Judaism.

Paul's letter to the Philippians

Paul's letter to the Philippians is an informal letter rather than a doctrinal treatise or a logical argument. Paul makes use of Epaphroditus' return to Philippi as an opportunity of writing as a friend to friends. Paul is writing to the firstfruits of Europe, not to settle a debate or to correct errors (though he does address local difficulties, Phil 4:2), but to express his appreciation of these Christians, thanking them for their gift and encouraging them to single-minded devotion in following Christ.

If there is a single theme to this letter it is the effect of Christ's death and resurrection for the believer. The Christian is one who knows Christ, and this means more than knowing that they benefit from Christ's death and resurrection; it involves being united with Christ in his death and resurrection. This was the burden of Paul's preaching and the driving reality of his life. It is evident in Philippians 3 where he describes the radical transformation knowing Christ has made on his thinking, his values and his hopes and ambitions. More than that, knowing Christ has transformed his whole pattern of life; his driving desire is to know more of Christ even though this means being conformed to him in his death that he might be conformed to him in his resurrection life.

Christians are those who must live in union with Christ under the shadow of the cross. They are to be a people transformed in heart, mind and character of life. They are to be visibly different. Thus Paul exhorts the Philippians to possess the mind of Christ, to possess a common mind one with another, to do all things without murmuring or complaining, to rejoice in the Lord always.

This dynamic, which comes from the life of Christ in the life of the Christian, is seen in Paul's own behaviour – in prison, under threat of death, yet remaining useful, pressing on to glory, content and rejoicing in whatever circumstance may befall him. Paul's words, 'for me to live is Christ and to die is gain' are no mere words but voice the passionate conviction that shapes his life.

Nor does Paul think himself at all extraordinary, but exhorts the Philippians to follow his example and to take special note of those who live according to the same pattern (3:17).

This is a very special letter that breathes a passion for Christ. It was written that, by God's grace, the same passion might dominate those to whom it was sent – and that includes us.

Peter Misselbrook