With great diplomacy and a call for assistance from others, he implores euodia and syntyche to. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see 1. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy, and is addressed to the christian church in philippi. In a series of exhortations, paul urges the philippians to have peace with the brethern by living a lifestyle of unity, prayerful dependence, and holiness 4. But the portrait of jesus christ as a humble servant. Over the course of his christian service paul was imprisoned many times 2 corinthians 11. Philippians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides a freeflowing commentary on the entire text of each biblical book, along with background material. Philippians introduction background from the book of. The many personal references of the author fit what we know of paul from other nt books. Thus, we can remain calm because he is with us immanuel. What philippians 4 can teach you about contentment your. Nothing in the letter would have motivated a forger to write it. I am amply supplied, having received from epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma.
Since it is primarily a practical letter, philippians contains little historical material there are no old testament quotes, apart from the momentous treatment of pauls spiritual autobiography 3. And the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Read what philippians 4 can teach you about contentment your daily bible verse november 3 from your daily bible verse. The apostle paul, joined in his salutation by timothy. Rejoice in the lord alway for, as believers in christ, as children and heirs of god, and joint heirs with christ of the heavenly, incorruptible inheritance, and as persons assured that all things, even those that are the most distressing in appearance, shall work together for your good, you have sufficient reason for rejoicing always.
Pauls authorship of this letter is also supported by the testimony of early church fathers such as polycarp and irenaeus. Paul, timothy, and epaphroditus try to be good examples as well. Philippi was the site of a key military victory by augustus caesar, and as a result it was made a roman colony. After you have read the whole epistle, state the theme of the book. This summary of the book of philippians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of philippians. With great diplomacy and a call for assistance from others, he implores euodia and syntyche to be of one mind in the lord 3 4. I plead with euodia and i plead with syntyche to be of the same mind in the lord. Make a list of bible passages outside the book of philippians that refer to the city or church at philippi use a concordance and crossreferences. Please, because you belong to the lord, settle your disagreement. Chapter 4 speaks of christs strength in times of suffering. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible. This includes prayers and encouragement philippians 4. 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 was at philippi, which the apostle visited on his second missionary journey. Philippians is one of the apostle pauls four prison epistles. Yes, and i ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with. He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of christ jesus philippians 1.
Joyful living philippians sermon series keep believing. He is writing to thank them for the gift they sent when they heard he was a. Aug 19, 2016 over the next four fridays we are going to be studying the book of philippians together. The book of life is where the names of the redeemed are recorded. Thanksgiving and prayer for the philippian church 1. It is these redeemed peopleand only themwho will enjoy life in the world to come. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible society. However, the letter to the philippians was to be delivered by epaphroditus, who had come to paul in rome with financial help from the church at philippi philippians 2. It is a short thankyou note from paul to the philippian church, regarding gifts they had sent him. There is, likewise, little direct theological instruction, also with one momentous exception. It was written to show his appreciation and love to. Paul encourages the philippians to live as citizens of a heavenly city, growing in their commitment to serve god and one another. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the christians in philippi, probably from rome c. Introduction to the book of philippians clover sites.
What is your favorite bible verse from the book of philippians. Philippians 4 in the picture study bible, with maps and background information on philippians 4 bible history online. Polycarps statement can be explained by either a noncanonical letter. They worked along with clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are written in the book of life. Brandon dale, a brown university student, said he often turns to biblical study to. This epistle is called pros philippesious, to the philippians.
It was written to show his appreciation and love to the philippians in a thankyou letter for their. Philippi was the first city in presentday europe where paul established a church. The book of philippians is commonly believed to be written in the year 61 or 62 ad. It is a testament to pauls rejection of all worldly. Verse 1 actually concludes pauls previous passage, from the end of chapter 3, with an encouragement to stand. No doubt this was the background for pauls reference to the believers. Pauls epistle to the philippians in six discussions chi alpha new orleans 2008 discussion 1. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. With great affection, paul pleads with his beloved philippians to stand fast in the lord 1. Philippians intro to philippians biblica the international bible. The book of philippians in six discussions chi alpha. However, he makes use of this occasion to fulfill several other desires. Philippians 3 background information with maps and images.
Summarize what the bible says about philippi the city or the church outside the book of philippians. Paul wrote his letter to the philippians while in prison, probably in rome. There were others in philippi who also helped paul. Philippi was the first town in macedonia where paul established a church. When we have christ in us, and were looking to do the best we can, the lord, who dwells in us, will enable us to whats needed, especially, when rel. But during his time in rome, epaphroditus took ill, which delayed his return home and, therefore, the delivery of the letter 2. The unanimous testimony of the early church was that the apostle paul wrote philippians. The city was already ancient by the time paul arrived there around 49 ce acts 16. Nov 17, 2014 the specific passage is philippians 4. Philippians 4, new living translation nlt the bible app. Philippians 4 new international version niv closing appeal for steadfastness and unity. Exhortations concerning various aspects of the christian life 4. The book of philippians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison.
The lord is at hand can be understood in time and space. The book of philippians was written in approximately a. Most scholars believe the letter was written around ad. The book of philippians a brief history, overview believersweb. If the journeys described in philippians can be fitted in the two year imprisonment 9 there is evidence that 1 there was a palace guard in rome phil 1. Winsome courtesy and delicate considerateness lay in his character, in beautiful union with fiery impetuosity and undaunted tenacity of conviction. The church can thank phillip and his son alexander for establishing the greek empire, which gave way. Of the four prison epistles, paul likely wrote philippians last, near the end of his roman imprisonment in ad 61 or 62. In fact, its beginnings go back to the fourth century bce when it was occupied by the thracians. A background study on the book of philippians by nathan parker for preparing an expository message at luther rice college and seminary. As seen in chapter 4 paul thanked them for the people who visited him with the gifts which were donated by the philippians for the furtherance of the gospel. The authorship of the book, then, according to most scholars is fairly. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible.
Pauls primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the philippians for the gift they had sent him upon learning of his detention at rome 1. This was still several years before his death in 68. Brothers, i do not consider that i have made it my own. Rather, it means, if youre anxious, examine either your lack of faith in the living god, who has promised to supply the basic needs of. Its a statement that paul alludes to, many times in his letters epistles, including 2cor. 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 derives its name from the greek city where the church to which it was addressed was located. Closing appeal for steadfastness and unity therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom i love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the lord in this way, dear friends. Paul and silas first visited philippi in greece during pauls second missionary journey, which occurred between approximately 49. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries.
But, even more importantly, the lord is coming soon. The book of philippians 4 failing to give roman citizens a proper trial 16. I paused and said, thank you, lord, even for these trials, and immediately i was flooded with his peace. The unanimous testimony of the early church was that the apostle paul wrote philippines. Watch our overview video on the book of philippians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The city was founded by phillip ii, the father of alexander the great. Paul used the word engus with this particular ambiguity in mind. Philippians 4 background information with maps and images.
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, one of pauls prison epistles, was written in rome. They key personalities are the apostle paul, timothy, epaphroditus, euodia, and syntyche. Book of philippians introduction and summary learn religions. Over the next four fridays we are going to be studying the book of philippians together.
Be encouraged and grow your faith with daily and weekly devotionals. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to god. A verse by verse examination of the apostle pauls epistle of joy to the beloved philippian church. Enduring word bible commentary philippians chapter 4. I have mentioned several times that this book is essentially a thankyou note from the apostle paul to the church at philippi. With this sermon we come to the end of our series from the book of philippians. Philippians 4, new international version niv the bible app.