General Introduction to Phillipians

Introduction

The Philippi was situated in the eastern part of Macedonia (the northern part of present-day Greece). In the acts of the apostles (16:6-40) Luke tells how in the course of their missionary journey and after many diverse happenings Paul, Silas and timothy arrived at Philippi, the city privileged to be the first European city evangelized by Paul.  Paul’s second visit to Macedonia (which included Philippi) is mentioned in 1cor 16:5, 2 cor 2:13; 7:5; Acts 19:21; 20:1-6. He was on his third missionary journey.

Synopsis

 Place and date of writing 

 Book formation 

 Authorship

 Gratitude for the offering

 Farewell 

Place and date of writing

             It is clear that when Paul wrote this letter he was in prison (Phil 1:7, 13, 14, 17).  Traditional interpretation understands the mention of “the imperial guard” (1:13) and “the emperor’s household” (4:22) as references to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome (acts 28:16-31).  However some authors have proposed Caesarea (acts 23:23-26:32) while others think the more likely place for the letter’s composition was Ephesus (acts 19:1-20:1).  The latter hypothesis has in its favor the fact that Ephesus is closer to Philippi and that there was therefore opportunity for greater and more frequent exchange between Paul and this community such as the letter intimates.

For the moment none of the proposed locations can be considered definitive.  In 2 cor 6:5; 11:23 Paul speaks of various imprisonments without being specific.  We cannot know with absolute certitude in which city Paul was prisoner while writing the letter to the Philippians, nor is it possible to establish the precise date on which the letter was written.

Book formation

 Wishes (1:1-2)

 Paul’s prayer (1:3-11)

 Life in Christ (1:12-30)

 Christ’s humility (2:1-18)

 Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30) 

 Warnings (3:1-4;9)

 Philippians gratitude (4:10-20)

 Farewell and benediction (4:21-23)

Authorship

 It is generally accepted today that this letter to the Philippians is an authentic Pauline letter.   The vocabulary, style, themes and historical situation, as well as external testimony contribute its authenticity.

 On the other hand, in recent times diverse hypotheses have been presented to explain some literary as well as contextual problems such as changes of theme and of tone, especially in 3:2-4:1.  These have raised doubt about the literary unity of the letter, that is, whether or not the actual letter of Paul written at different times and in different situations.

 However, the great diversity in the reconstructions proposed shows that the standards of judgment are in large part subjective.  On the other hand many authors, even while recognizing the difficulty of coordinating logically and historically all the elements of the letter into a perfect unity, positively defend the literary unity of the entire letter.  

Gratitude for the offering 4:10-20

 This theme is unique: gratitude for the help sent to Paul but the Philippians as well as some marginal commentary.  Although Paul had learned how to be satisfied in all circumstances he is grateful for help received. 

 Here he uses again a concept typical of stoic philosophy: sufficiency.  He knows how to live in poverty and in abundance.  For these philosophers that virtue frequently carried with it a touch of proud self sufficiency.  

 For Paul, on the other hand, this sufficiency is founded on the help of the lord who gives him strength. Paul expresses his gratitude clearly in 14:20.

 The Philippians jointly shared with Paul in his need.  When he left Macedonia on his missionary trip (acts 17-18) the Philippians initiated an exchange of goods with Paul.  Later, while he was in Thessalonica, they had sent him help more than once.  What the Philippians sent was beneficial on another level.  Paul points out to them that their gift merits the spiritual gifts that Paul communicates to them.

 The formula “I have received” gives an official character to his gratitude, but Paul rounds off his reference to the generosity of the Philippians with the term “sacrifice”.  He compares the Philippians’ gift to a fragrant offering; a sacrifice god is pleased to accept.

 Christian gratitude includes a petition to god that god reward generously those who have given gifts, bestowing on them a participation in the divine glory through Jesus Christ.  The section ends with a doxology. 

Farewell 4:21-23

o The greeting is brief and does not mention any of the persons addressed in particular.  It includes everyone. 

o Neither does it mention any of those who are with Paul at the moment; rather it includes greetings to all the faithful of church “especially those of the emperor’s household,” that is to say the personnel at his service.  

o The mention of the emperor’s household does not indicate for certain that the letter was written in Rome since there were persons in the service of the emperor outside of Rome.

o This section ends with a doxology and the concluding formula is typically Christian and is an exact duplicate of the one in Philemon 25.

Conclusion

When we open and read the book of Philippians, we get a privileged look into Paul’s own relationship with god.  We hear Paul’s invitation to the kind of spiritual formation that a life centered on Christ can bring. It is to discover habits of thought, feeling and life that form us in Christ, both individually and as communities.  And finally, we learn something of the riches of a life filled with Christ in any circumstance.

Bibliography

Aruldoss, T. Introduction to Bible, Madurai: T.T.S, 1987.

Bruce, Frederick Fyvie.  Philippians.  Peabody, Mass.:  Hendrickson, 1993.

Fee, Gordon D.  Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  Grand Rapids:  Eerdmans, 1995.

Marshall, I.  Howard. The Epistle to the Philippians. Epworth commentaries.  London: Epworth press, 1991.

Thielman, Frank. Philippians.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.