The Book of Philippians

Mike Johnson

Paul wrote the book of Philippians to the church at Philippi.  This book has been called the most personal and spontaneous of all of Paul’s letters.  The word “joy” or “rejoice” occurs at least 17 times in the book.  The church at Philippi was the first church started by Paul in Europe.

Information regarding the beginning of the Philippian church is in Acts 16.  Here we are told that Paul saw a vision in which a man said to him, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”  In keeping with the vision, Paul went to Europe and soon came to Philippi.  At Philippi, he taught and baptized a woman named Lydia and her family.  Later, he cast a demon out of a young slave girl.  This event caused her masters to lose their capacity to make money off her, so they had Paul and Silas put in prison.  While they were in prison, an earthquake occurred, their chains came loose, and their prison door opened.  The jailer thought the prisoners had escaped, and he felt he would be responsible. He was about to kill himself when Paul and Silas intervened.  Paul then taught the jailer and his family, who he baptized.  Paul and Silas eventually left Philippi, but Paul probably returned there on several occasions.

The book of Philippians is one of a group of books called the Prison Epistles.  The others are Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.  They were all probably written from Rome around 61 or 62 AD while Paul was a prisoner in Rome.

Why did Paul write this letter?  The church at Philippi had sent Paul a monetary gift to help him out while he was in prison.  They sent one of their own, Epaphroditus, with the gift.  While Epaphroditus was there, he got ill.  After his recovery, Paul sent him back with a message to the church at Philippi. This letter is what we have in the Bible as the book of Philippians.

The letter to the Philippians has a joy and warmth not found in Paul’s other writings.  It is a very intimate and affectionate letter.  As noted, Paul continually emphasized the concept of “joy” in the book.  In spite of his circumstances being so hard, he tried to encourage them.  As we read the book today, we learn that no matter how difficult our situation is, we should not give up or give in to despair.

In this letter, Paul does not give an elaborate presentation of doctrine.  He tells the Philippians of his circumstances, emphasizes the importance of unity, and warns against various sins.

If you have not read Philippians lately, why not read it today?  You will gain from it.