Philippians 1:1 ASV and Philippians 4:23 ASV

INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS

Philippi, in north-eastern Greece, was the first major centre in which Paul
preached the gospel in Europe. It was already an ancient and historic city
when Paul went there. Philip the Second of Macedon took over the region in
356 BC and formally established Philippi as a city bearing his name. In the
apostles’ time it was a Roman city, with the highest possible privilege for a
Roman provincial municipality, in fact it was governed by Roman law and
structures in a way most other cities did not experience. Its’ citizens were
Roman citizens, and the constitution was modelled on Rome itself. Latin was
spoken and the citizens wore Roman dress. Its background shaped to some
extent Paul’s manner of preaching (he spoke of the Christian’s true citizenship
in heaven as opposed to the Roman citizenship the Philippians were justly
proud of). It also shaped his behaviour (he was able to claim his own Roman
citizenship to good effect).
As to religious life, it appears there were few Jews in the city - (Only ten
Jewish men were required for the establishment of a synagogue, and there
were none in the city). We need to remember that Claudius (the Roman
Emperor) had issued an edict around 49BC expelling "Jews" from Rome,
which would undoubtedly have influenced Philippi. In the city the pantheon
of gods were worshipped. There were sanctuaries for them. The official
imperial religion, however, seemed to dominate.
Paul's arrival at Philippi with the gospel on his second missionary journey
c.49-52 brought him into contact with this city. As was his custom he looked
for a synagogue, and finding none met with a group of women outside the
city walls. Lydia (a woman of independent means) was converted. Later, after
the healing of the slave girl, Paul and Silas were imprisoned and beaten.
During their short imprisonment, the jailer is converted and he and his
household are baptised. The apostles are charged as being vagabond Jews.
Paul asserts his Roman citizenship. They receive an official apology, and are
escorted from the city. It is clear from the letter that an enthusiastic young
congregation has been brought into being, though one inheriting its founders
sufferings. The gospel is powerful.
It is to this congregation that Paul writes his letter, most likely during his
period in jail in Rome around 61 AD.

Some things that stand out in the letter are the following:
a Thanksgiving for Epaphroditus, their messenger, now on the way
home, and, connected with that, thanksgiving for their faithful support
of him.
b Concern lest they be troubled by the 'dogs' mentioned in Philippians 3.
c. Concern that they hold fast in the face of other pressures 1:27ff
d Concern that they live lives worthy of the gospel, especially in light of
"tensions within" referred to in 1:27ff and 2:1-4 and 4:1-3.
Unity and steadfastness are important issues in this letter. What better model
of these things than Jesus! In dealing with these issues we see Paul as a man
passionate for the gospel and passionate about Jesus. We see his humanness,
his ardent love for the Philippians, and his strong feelings towards those who
oppose the gospel and try to pervert it.
Above all in the letter we see to the heart of the gospel. “Though the Gospel is
capable of doctrinal exposition, though it is eminently fertile in moral results,
yet its substance is neither a dogmatic system nor an ethical code, but a person
and a life”1 - the person and life of Jesus. It is the life of Jesus and our life in
Jesus that calls us back from all distractions to issues of central concern.

RECOMMENDED COMMENTARIES

Philippians, J.B. Lightfoot. (The Crossway Classic Commentaries)

The Message of Philippians, Alec Motyer. (The Bible Speaks Today)

Commentary on Philippians, Peter O'Brien. (New International Greek Testament Commentary)