Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. In general, joy is described as the product of a healthy relationship between a church and a minister. The epistle to the philippians, one of pauls prison epistles, was written in rome. Background on philippians the eleventh book of the new testament is the philippians, originally referred to as the epistle of paul and timothy to the philippians. He also wanted to commend the unselfishness of epaphroditus, as well as informing them of his love for them, and his own personal condition. The unanimous testimony of the early church was that the apostle paul wrote philippians. Polycarps statement can be explained by either a noncanonical letter. Perspective, joy, and mission in lifepart i philippians 1. Creating an account allows you to access more features and content such as. The book of philippians is one of pauls most personal letters, written to the church in. Death grip a study in philippians historical background. The authorship of the book, then, according to most scholars is fairly certain. A map of philippi and surrounding regions the city of philippi and the origin of the church there the city of philippi, as one can see from the map, is located in north eastern greece macedonia.
The epistle to the philippians is the last of the four prison epistles of paul. This letter was not written for one single purpose. The historical setting of philippi and the philippians is a look at the time period of paul and all the women that served him all in the name of jesus christ. The book of philippians is an epistle that paul wrote while he was anticipating his release from prison. The epistle to titus was written in approximately a. Dominant themes of the epistle to the philippians word. A background study on the book of philippians nathaniel b parker be7404. Pdf a background study on the book of philippians nathaniel b.
The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy, and is addressed to the christian church in philippi. The epistle to the philippians executable outlines. Even when things go wrong, you can have joy by warren w. Paul and silas travel through galatia and meet timothy in lystra, circumcise him and take him along as a traveling companion cf. No doubt this was the background for pauls reference to the believers heavenly citizenship. Originally it was an agricultural settlement called krenides in 356 b. The philippians should rejoice in the lord focusing on what christ had done for us 3.
Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness. Book of philippians introduction and summary learn religions. The epistle to philippians was written by paul during the two years when he was in bonds in rome philippians 1. The many personal references of the author fit what we know of paul from other nt books. Instead of writing to correct doctrinal matters, he writes a thank you letter to the church at philippi that had been so generous in supporting him over the years. It is evident that paul wrote the letter from prison see 1.
If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Of the four prison epistles, paul likely wrote philippians last, near the end of his roman imprisonment in ad 61 or 62. The predominant theme of the epistle to the philippians is joy. The one thing every christian should be doing but most are not. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see 1.
Some have argued that this imprisonment took place in ephesus, perhaps c. This summary of the book of philippians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of philippians. A study in philippians historical background 1 during his second missionary journey, paul visited the town of philippi where several people heard the gospel message and accepted christ as their savior. Philippians derives its name from the greek city where the church to which it was addressed was located. Pauls authorship of this letter is also supported by the testimony of early. Background paper on the epistle to the philippians the city of philippi the city of philippi was located in modern macedonia, which is north of greece. It contains less correction and more praise than any other epistle. To thank the philippians for their solidarity with him while he was in prison and to encourage them to unity and humble service toward each other in christ.
The book of philippians free online bible study lessons. Paul wrote his letter to the philippians while in prison, probably in rome. It was at philippi, which the apostle visited on his second missionary journey. Background on philippians research assignment paper. Philippi was the first city on european soil where a christian church was founded by paul on his second missionary journey see acts 16. Most of all, however, he wrote to them because he had a deep care and affection for them. The book of philippians niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 50 duration.
The book of philippians was written in approximately a. Outline of the book of philippians getting acquainted with philippi in bible history during the years 50 through 54 ad paul embarks on his second apostolic tour. Many bible scholars have called it the epistle of joy. One of the obvious reasons that paul wrote his letter to the philippians was to thank them for their generous offering. The roman colony of philippi was ruled by philip ii of macedon, the father of alexander the great.
Preparing an expository message october 5, 2016 a background study on the. Miles oneill welcome to pauls letter to the philippians. Settlers from the nearby island of thasos seized the area. The theme and structure of philippians 235 eadie suggests, the transitions depend upon no logical train as the thoughts occurred they were dictated. Philippi was the first city in presentday europe where paul established a church.
Philippians introduction background from the book of. There has been doubting as to the authorship of this book but based on both the internal and external evidence. The city was founded by phillip ii, the father of alexander the great. The city was already ancient by the time paul arrived there around 49 ce acts 16. The church can thank phillip and his son alexander for establishing the greek empire, which gave way. Paul, timothy, luke, and silas first came to philippi in a. Study the bible online using commentary on philippians and more. Paul prays for the philippian believers with joy chara because of their partnership with him in the gospel. In fact, its beginnings go back to the fourth century bce when it was occupied by the thracians. Watch our overview video on the book of philippians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Philippians appears in the oldest extant lists of nt writingsthe muratorian canon later second century and the special canon of marcion d.
The book of philippians chapter one workbook eeonline biblestudy. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Pauls heritage was a pharisee, benjaminite, zealous persecutor, and person obedient to the law 3. With christ as your model of humility and service, you can enjoy a. The book of philippians is one of pauls most personal letters, written to the church in philippi. Paul and silas first visited philippi in greece during pauls second missionary journey, which occurred between approximately 49. Overview of the book of philippians reformed answers to. Philippians has been called pauls love letter to the church at philippi.
We hope this outline of philippians will help you as you endeavor to study gods letter to you. The historical setting of philippi and the philippians. See more ideas about bible verses, word of god and book of philippians. There are 15 explicit references to some form of either the noun joy chara in greek or the verb rejoice chairo in this short letter. An introduction to the book of philippians christopher l. Philippi was the first town in macedonia where paul established a church. Fees introduction in pauls letter to the philippians grand rapids, eerdmans, 1995 in the nicnt series. The minister remembers the church with joy in his prayers 1.
Lydia is converted and paul and silas were imprisoned following the riot. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. Philippians is an unusually warm and deeply personal letter. This epistle is a powerful book to study as a group because it is written to a group yet with a very personal tone. There apparently never was a question in the minds of the fathers of the church as to the canonical authority of philippians or about its authorship. Pauls pen drips with affection and appreciation for the saints in philippi. The following are five of the most helpful commentaries on the epistle to the philippians. I am excited that you are taking the time to lead others through it. And yet, the philippian letter also contains some of the most precise theology specifically, christology in all the bible phil. Philippi was named after philip ii of macedon, who was the father of alexander the great.
Several different types of letters existed in the ancient world to match the various occasions and purposes for writing. Philippians book background study slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in philippi. Philippians commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Yet, it all was worthless because of what christ had done because righteousness was based on faith. Read philippians commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. Philippians intro to philippians biblica the international bible. How paul of tarsus impacted the history of christianity. Paul sent the other three prison epistlesephesians, colossians, and philemonby the hand of tychicus, as their destinations were near one another. Paul wrote the epistle to show his appreciation and gratitude to the church at philippi and its members for their continued support and generosity.
In some bibles a subscription to the epistle may show that paul wrote from nicopolis in macedonia. The epistle to the philippians introduction author the apostle paul 1. Quoting scripture from memory can be a wonderful thing. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see1. The philippians had sent epaphroditus, their messenger, with contributions to meet the necessities of the apostle. Forms of the words joy, rejoice, and gladness appear in 15 of the letters 104 verses.