New Testament · Epistle · Book 50 of 66

Book of Philippians

A joyful letter from prison: Christ is our life, our example and our goal, and His peace guards our hearts.

4 Chapters

Philippians 1–4

Author

Paul (with Timothy)

Written

c. A.D. 60 – 62

Written From

Rome (in prison)

Overview

Book of Philippians Summary

Philippians is a warm thank-you letter from Paul to the church he planted at Philippi, which had sent him a gift while he was in prison through Epaphroditus (4:18). Paul reassures them about his circumstances, urges them to stand together, and shares what he has learned about joy.

In chapter 1 Paul explains that his chains have actually advanced the gospel, and he says that for him “to live is Christ.” In chapter 2 he calls the church to humility and unity, pointing to Christ who humbled Himself and was exalted by God. He also commends Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of selfless service.

Chapter 3 warns against trusting in human credentials and tells how Paul counts everything as loss for the sake of knowing Christ and pressing on toward the goal. Chapter 4 brings together the call to agreement, prayer without anxiety, the peace of God, and the contentment Paul has found in every circumstance. Joy and rejoicing run through the whole letter.

About the Name

Title

The letter is named for its recipients, the church at Philippi. The early Greek title is Pros Philippesious, “To the Philippians.” Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia, in northern Greece, named for Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great.

It was the first city in Europe where Paul planted a church, on his second missionary journey. Lydia, a slave girl and a jailer are among those named in Luke’s account (Acts 16:11–40).

Who Wrote It

Author Details

The letter begins with Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, writing to all the saints at Philippi, “together with the overseers and deacons” (1:1). Paul writes as a prisoner (1:7, 13–14, 17).

Paul’s authorship is accepted by virtually all scholars. A few suggest that the letter combines two or three shorter notes, but there is no manuscript evidence for that, and it has been read as a single letter.

When It Was Written

Date of Writing

Philippians is most often dated to about A.D. 60–62, during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:30–31). References to the praetorian guard (1:13) and to Caesar’s household (4:22) fit Rome. Some scholars suggest Ephesus or Caesarea instead.

The church had been founded about A.D. 49–50. Paul hopes to send Timothy soon and to visit the Philippians himself (2:19, 24).