INTRODUCTION TO

PHILIPPIANS

The Epistle to the Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul to the Christians at Philippi.  It was written sometime around AD 63, while Paul was in prison.

Philippi was a city of Macedonia at the northern end of the Aegean Sea, just east of Greece.  Paul visited Philippi three times (Acts 16:12-40; 20:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:1). It was on his first visit that he was imprisoned because the Lord used him to cast out a demon from a slave girl.   His imprisonment brought about the salvation of the Philippian jailer and his family, and a church grew up in the city.

The letter acknowledges a gift of money sent to Paul from the Christians at Philippi. (See 2 Corinthians 8:1-7).  The church at Philippi is a great example of giving to the work of God.  This was a very personal letter written to thank them and instruct them.  As you read this Epistle notice the personal pronouns “you”, “yours”, and “ye” that occur seventy-six times.  You may be very poor, but God is personally interested in you. Notice also that Paul was full of joy while in prison.  The words “joy” and “rejoice” or some form of it is found eighteen times. (See 1:12-18; 4:4) From this Epistle we see great examples in Paul (1:27-30), Timothy (2:19-24), Epaphroditus (2:25-30); but above all, the humility of Christ (2:5-8).  It tells us of great peace we should have with one another and with ourselves in Christ.  (4:4-8)

As you read this Epistle, may the Holy Spirit speak to your heart about the great joy and peace you can have no matter what you may be going through at this present time.

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