Epistle to the Philippians
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Philippians redirects here. See "Filippians" for sect of Russian Old Believers.
The Epistle to Philippians (or just Philippians) is a book included in the New Testament of the Bible. It is a letter from St. Paul to the church of Philippi.
Background and authorship
The letter was written to the church at Philippi, a city of Macedonia and one of the earliest churches to be founded in Europe. It seems to be primarily a note to acknowledge a generous gift provided by the church to Paul during his imprisonment. The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger, with contributions to meet Paul's needs. The apostle prepares to send the messenger back to them with this letter. It is often called the "epistle of joy" because of its grateful tone and its relative lack of criticism of the Philippian church, as compared to the frequent admonishing tone of large parts of most of Paul's other epistles.
Pauline authorship of Philippians is accepted by virtually all Bible scholars, ancient and modern. Some critical scholars question the kenosis passage in Philippians 2:5-11 as dating from a later people. Many scholars recognize as an early Christian hymn, but there is disagreement as to whether it was a psalm that Paul quoted or composed, or which was inserted by a later scribe, reflecting a theology that was not Paul's own. Paul's mention of the Praetorian Guard (1:13) and Caesar's household (4:22), places him in a Roman prison at the time of writing, although some scholars believe the place could just as well have been earlier at Caesaria, where Paul had been imprisoned on his way to Rome; and some suggest he may have been imprisoned at Ephesus even earlier. If from Rome, the most common view, the date would be 60-62 C.E. If from Caesaria, then the date would be the late 50s, since he was imprisoned there for two years before coming to Rome. If the letter is from Ephesus, then it would have been written in the early 50s, and would constitute one of his earliest epistles. Some scholars propose that the letter is actually a combination of several fragments from two or more of these periods.
Contents
The contents of this epistle give an interesting insight into the condition of the church at Rome at the time it was written. Paul's imprisonment, we are informed, was no hindrance to his preaching the gospel, but rather "turned out to the furtherance of the gospel." The gospel spread very extensively among the Roman soldiers, with whom he was in constant contact, and the Christians grew into a "vast multitude." It is plain that Christianity was at this time making rapid advancement in Rome.
The doctrinal statements of this epistle bear a close relation to those of the Epistle to the Romans. Compare also Phil. 3:20 with Eph. 2:12, 19, where the church is presented under the idea of a city or commonwealth for the first time in Paul's writings. The personal glory of Christ is also set forth in almost parallel forms of expression in Phil. 2:5-11, compared with Eph. 1:17-23; 2:8; Col. 1:15-20.
The is addressed from Paul and his disciple Timothy to the church at Philippi, together with its overseers (episcopi—bishops) and deaons. Paul expresses to the Philippians his "joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." Although he is "in chains for Christ," Paul believes that his own suffering has encouraged many others to be courageous in their faith. However, he admits that "some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry." These are apparently men who imply that Paul, who teachings on the Jewish law were still highly controversial in the early church, has somehow deserved his fate: "supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains." Yet Paul rejoices even in this case, because "Christ is preached." Paul does not fear martyrdom, "for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." He encourages the Philippians to "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ," whatever happens. (Chapter 1)
This means that "each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Christ himself followed this pattern by "emptying" himself of his divinity and taking on the nature of a servant, dying on the cross for the sake of humanity. Yet, as a result, God exalted him and one day, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." Paul praises the Philippians consistent obedience and urges them "to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," without argument or complaint. Paul hopes to send Timothy back to Philippians with his message, but is even more eager to send Epaphroditus, their own messenger, whom the church sent to assist Paul: "Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ." (Chapter 2)
"Rejoice in the Lord," Paul again urges. Yet he cannot help but warn against his constant adversaries, the Judaizers—"those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh." It is like these men Paul referred earlier to as stirring up trouble for him. "Put no confidence in the (circumcision of the) flesh," Paul advises, "though I myself (as a Jew) have reasons for such confidence." Here Paul provides some biographical details about himself: he is of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee who opposed and persecuted the church before his own conversion, and "faultless" in his observance of the Jewish law. Yet all these credentials he now considers "rubbish," for he now seeks not to have a "righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ." Yet this faith is not entire apart from action, for by the "fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," Paul hopes that he and all Christians will "attain to the resurrection from the dead." This is no once-and-for-always proposition, however, and Paul emphasizes that even he has not attained the goal yet, "but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (chapter 3)
Paul urges the Philippians to remain steadfast in their faith, calling them "you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown." He pleads especially that two women, Euodia and Syntyche—whom he calls is "fellow workers... whose names are in the book of life—to come to an agreement with each other. "Rejoice in the Lord always," he says, "I will say it again: Rejoice!" Christians should put aside their anxieties, but petition God in grateful prayer. They should strive for what is noble and good, and follow whatever is admirable in Paul's own example. Finally, Paul expresses his own joy in the Philippians renewed financial generosity toward him, remembering that they were the only church who did so in the early days of his missionary activities at Thessalonica. "You sent me aid again and again when I was in need... I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent." He closes with a final greeting and a benediction.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Beare, F. W. (1959). A Commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians. Harper & Row; reprint, Harper’s New Testament Commentaries, ed. Henry Chadwick. (1987). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.
- Moule, H. C. G. (1981). The Epistle to the Philippians. Baker Book House.
- This entry incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897.
Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, s.v. "Philippians, Letter to the"
External links
Online translations of the Epistle to the Philippians:
Related articles:
- Bible.org introduction to Philippians
- Philippians from the Biblical Resource Database
- Biblaridion magazine: Soteriology and Adam Christology; an examination of OT themes in the Philippians hymn
- A short introduction to Philippians for contemporary readers
| Preceded by: Ephesians |
Books of the Bible |
Succeeded by: Colossians |
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