Philippians summary from the easyenglish bible easy. One of the reasons paul wrote this book was to thank the church at philippi for their generous gift for the saints, writing no church entered into partnership. Oct 20, 2019 a number of possibilities suggest themselves. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. 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. Paul wrote 14 books in the new testament of which just one is disputable simply because his name does not appear in it. Pauls gratitude for the philippians reformed bible studies. It was taken over by philip of macedonia, the father of alexander the great. The apostle paul did not write philippians in response to a crisis, as he did with galatians and colossians. Paul wrote the epistle to the philippians, one of the books of the new testament, while he was imprisoned in rome and awaiting execution. Paul wrote philippians at a time when he was suffering greatly, at a time when he wondered if he might soon be killed.
Written by paul, during his third missionary journey, from philippi during his travel immediately after leaving ephesus. Choose from 500 different sets of quiz bible philippians flashcards on quizlet. Both pieces of the gift were intended to provide for him during his time of need. Why did paul write to the philippians essay example. The book of philippians is a beautifully crafted and very intimate letter to one of.
The joy of the christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of philippians. Which books of the bible did paul write and what makes. Paul was a prisoner when he wrote the book of philippians. The epistle to the philippians, one of paul s prison epistles, was written in rome. Finally paul encourages the philippians to put everything they have learned or received from him into practice saying that in doing so they would know the peace of god. Ephesians, philemon, colossians, and philippians ad 6062, paul wrote these during his first roman imprisonment 1 timothy and titus ad 62 2 timothy ad 6364, during pauls second roman imprisonment paul always gave credit to the holy spirit for the inspiration behind his writing. Why paul wrote the letter to the philippians zondervan. Philippi, in northeastern greece, was a city of some importance in the roman province of macedonia. Pauls reference to thessalonica is s big support for this. The words joy and rejoice are used 16 times in the epistle. The many personal references of the author fit what we know of paul from other nt books.
Writing from prison, paul describes the joys of following christ and. Jun 25, 2019 the joy of the christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of philippians. Paul writes the letter to confirm that what the philippians heard was. Letter of paul to the philippians work by saint paul.
They had sent him a financial gift through a man named epaphroditus. The bible does not tell us precisely where paul was when he wrote philippians. Why paul wrote the letter to the philippians zondervan academic. Apprehensive that his execution was close at hand, yet hoping somehow to visit the philippians again, paul explains that he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel of christ. Why did paul write the book of philippians answers. The book of philippians is a letter written by the apostle paul from prison in rome to the church in the roman colony of philippi. It is widely believed to be a composite of material written at two different times see unity, in the first half of the second century. In philippians, paul is offering a much more colourful and poetic version of the gospel which he had received and passed on to the corinthians, namely that christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures 1 corinthians 15. Paul closes the letter by singling out believers in caesars household who send their greetings philippians 4. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see 1. Paul s reference to thessalonica is s big support for this. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. Paul, timothy, and epaphroditus are the major personalities in the book of philippians.
In his letter to the philippians, paul did not disclose all of the troubles that weighed on his mind. It was at philippi, which the apostle visited on his second missionary journey. Lying on the great road from the adriatic coast to byzantium, the via egnatia, and in the midst of rich agricultural plains near the gold deposits of mt. May god our father and the lord jesus christ give you grace and peace. Philippians 1 full chapter greetings from paul this letter is from paul and timothy, slaves of christ jesus. Pauls gratitude for the philippians reformed bible. Philippians intro to philippians biblica the international bible. Additionally, the philippian church supported paul when he was imprisoned before acts 16. The early church, and the apostles, all accepted his. Without question the central objection to paul writing philippians from rome is the distance.
The authorship of the book, then, according to most scholars is fairly certain. Paul did not have assurance of this, but he had definite assurance of his participation in the resurrection from the dead and his eternal salvation, as is so clear from passages like phil. Although there was the possibility that pauls forthcoming trial could end in his death, what two kinds of help gave him confidence 1. Philippians is one of paul s four prison epistles 1. While some have suggested that paul writes to the philippians from caesarea or ephesus, i am persuaded the evidence points to the traditional view of rome. This would seem to indicate a later date for the writing of the letter. Jan 02, 2020 ephesians, philemon, colossians, and philippians ad 6062, during pauls first roman imprisonment 1 timothy and titus ad 62 2 timothy ad 6364, during pauls second roman imprisonment although paul penned or dictated these letters, he makes it clear that he is speaking under the inspiration of the holy spirit. Letter paul wrote to this congregation, encouraging and commending.
The epistle to the philippians introduction author. Letter of paul to the philippians, new testament letter written by paul the apostle, while he was in prison probably at rome about ad 62, and addressed to the christian congregation he had established in macedonia. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Paul begins his letter with words thanking god for the philippians partnership in the gospel from the first day until now 1.
The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy, and is addressed to the christian church in philippi. Paul and the philippian church the church in philippi was founded by paul and his party on his socalled second missionary journey as related in the eyewitness account a wesection. Epaphroditus played a key role in biblical history, even if his name is not immediately recognizable. In examining paul s reasons for writing to the philippians it is important to place the letter within the context of when it was written and whom it was written. Fourth, paul wrote to commend timothy to the church as well as to give the church a report about the health and plans of epaphroditus 2. How would you describe pauls attitude toward being in prison 1. One of the reasons why paul wrote philippians was to thank them for supporting his ministrynot just in prayer, but with a financial gift. There are, however, questions about whether the letter as a whole is unified or a composite of pauline letters sent to the philippian church and later grouped together by an editor. Now, paul did not want believers to understand just the definition of perseverance. Internal evidence in the letter itself points clearly to it being composed while. Paul wrote this letter to the church at philippi, which he had established acts 16. In his letter thanking the philippians, paul makes a point of telling the church that epaphroditus recovered philippians 2. Epaphroditus also went above and beyond to help paul with his work philippians 2.
The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Scholars have generally argued for one of three localities. Fifth, paul also wrote to thank the church for their concern for him and the gifts they had given 4. They were people whom he loved and longed for, his joy and his crown 4. Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness. He is mentioned by name twice in the book of philippians, one of pauls prison epistles. Pangaeus, it was in pauls day a roman town, with a greekmacedonian population and a small group of jews. The apostle probably used timothys name here because he was with him when the church at philippi was started.
The epistle to the philippians, one of pauls prison epistles, was written in rome. The letter of paul to the philippians thinking faith. Philippians introduction background from the book of. The apostle paul wrote his letter to the philippians to thank them. For the rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the lord and continue to rejoice that.
Timothy was with him at the time, so he was mentioned by paul. Bible book number 50philippians watchtower online library. Pauls authorship of this letter is also supported by the testimony of early. I am excited that you are taking the time to lead others through it. The book of philippians is in the bibles new testament. This is one of pauls shortest letters and one of the smallest books in the new testament but there are such powerful teachings in this little dynamo. Listen to paul s words in philippians chapter 3 verses 8 through 11. Instead, he wrote to express his appreciation and affection for the philippian believers. He wanted to thank this church for their gift of love. Letter of paul to the philippians work by saint paul britannica. Moreover, as you philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when i set out from macedonia, not one church shared with me in the.
But he did speak of some of them, and he revealed the collective impact all his troubles were having on his state of mind. Paul spoke in generous terms of the philippian christians. Book of philippians introduction and summary learn religions. The book of philippians was written in approximately a. Learn quiz bible philippians with free interactive flashcards. So in conclusion, pauls letter was a positive one, written to a church he loved and felt close to. The traditional view that he wrote from rome seems to be the strongest argument, making the most sense of terms like praetorian phil. Paul reports on his missionary work and thanks the philippians for the gift they sent him when they learned he was in prison. Letter to the philippians encyclopedia of the bible bible.
There has never been any serious doubt as to the authorship of the letter to the philippians. 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. The letter is quoted as from paul by such early bible commentators as ignatius, irenaeus, tertullian, and clement. What was pauls purpose in writing the book of philippians. He wanted this love to overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight, so that in the day of the lord they might be pure and blameless 1. Paul had established the congregation in philippi, in the. It is evident that paul wrote the letter from prison see 1. We know that paul was a prisoner when he wrote this letter. Why paul wrote the letter to the philippians youtube. To answer the question i have provided evidence of his authorship for each book. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
Such expressions of gratitude were common in firstcentury letters, and, indeed, paul regularly began his epistles in this manner for example, 1 cor. Letter to the philippians encyclopedia of the bible. More than any other church, the believers in philippi offered paul material support for his ministry 2 corinthians 8. For instance, he spoke frequently of death as a welcome relief from his suffering. Given philippis pride in being a miniature rome, these reference are most naturally understood if paul writes from rome. There are, however, questions about whether the letter. Why did paul write to the philippians essay graduateway. To write pan the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you nasb. Paul wrote the book of philippians primarily to thank them for the gifts they sent to him during his imprisonment in rome. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible society. The greeting and when compared to say romans, 1 and 2 corinthians, and galatians, all the internal characteristics of language, style. It is uncertain where paul was when he wrote the letters that make up philippians. The general consensus is that these epistles were written during paul s imprisonment at rome cf. He wrote it to give encouragement and advice to the.
Philippi was an ancient and major city in macedonia, greece. Books and articles that equip you for deeply biblical thinking and ministry. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible. The apostle paul wrote the letter to express his gratitude and affection for the philippian church, his strongest supporters in ministry. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians commonly abbreviated pol. I am writing to all of gods holy people in philippi who belong to christ jesus, including the church leaders and deacons. Most scholars believe the letter was written around ad 62, while paul was imprisoned in rome.