Philippians: Christ Centered Life
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Lesson 1: Background
The Writer to Philippi: Paul, friend and apostle
Paul was the
author of this epistle. He names his
colaborer Timothy in the salutation of 1:1.
Timothy was with him during this time and may have been acting as his amanuensis. Paul was writing back to a church which had a
very fond place in his heart and where he counted many friends who had
supported him in the ministry of church building.
Purpose in writing
There are two reasons for the writing of the epistle.
·
To thank
them for their gifts and to tell them of his circumstance
in prison.
·
To instruct
and them, especially in the joy that was theirs in Christ and to make Christ
central in their daily living.
Place and time of writing
·
The letter was written from Paul’s Roman imprisonment around 61-62
AD.
The City of Philippi
History and Character
The town derives its name from Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the
Great, who took it from the Thasians about 360 bc.
He enlarged the settlement, and fortified it to defend his frontiers against
the Thasians. At this time the gold-mining
industry was developed, and gold coins were struck in the name of Philip and
became commonly recognized. After the battle of Pydna in 168 bc it was annexed by the Romans; and
when Macedonia was divided into four parts for administrative purposes Philippi
was included in the first of the four districts.
In 42 bc the famous battle of Philippi was fought with Antony and
Octavian ranged against Brutus and Cassius. After this date the town was
enlarged, probably by the coming of colonists; the title Colonia Iulia is attested at this time. This prominence was
enhanced further when, after the battle of Actium in 31 bc, in which Octavian defeated the forces of Antony and
Cleopatra, the town 'received a settlement of Italian colonists who had
favoured Antony and had been obliged to surrender their land to the veterans of
Octavian' (Lake and Cadbury, p. 187). Octavian gave the town its notable title,
Col(onia) Iul(ia) Aug(usta) Philip(pensis),
which has appeared on coins. Of all the privileges which this title conferred,
the possession of the 'Italic right' (ius
Italicum) was the most valuable. It meant that the colonists enjoyed the
same rights and privileges as if their land were part of Italian
soil.
The Church at Philippi
Map and Chronology
Mission to Greece
1. Paul and Barnabas agree to revisit the Galatian churches.
But they disagree about taking John Mark who had left them on the earlier
mission (Acts 15:36-38). After an argument, Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus (Acts
15:39).
2. Paul takes Silas. At Lystra Paul asks Timothy to join them (Acts 16:1-3).
3. They revisit the towns,
telling the believers the decisions of the Jerusalem Council about Gentile
converts (Acts 16:4-5). Paul tries to go into Bithynia, but is blocked by the
Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-7).
4. At night, Paul has a vision. A Macedonian urges him to
come across to help. They decide to sail for Macedonia (Acts 16:8-10). At this
point in Troas Luke joins them. Narrative changes from 3rd
to 2nd person.
5. At Philippi (Acts 16:12-40):
Paul at the river meets Lydia, she is saved and her home is used for their
church. Later Paul delivers a girl fortune-teller from an evil spirit. The
girl's owners protest and a crowd attacks. They are beaten and imprisoned, but then
freed by an earthquake. Their jailer
believes (Acts 16:11-40). They leave the next day after asserting their rights
as a Roman citizenship.
6. In Thessalonica, Paul
convinces both Jews and Greeks. Some Jews stir up a riot—Paul leaves secretly
(Acts 17:1-9). Luke is not in story again until Acts 20:5-15 then once again in
27-28. Some speculate that he stayed in Philippi to help or pastor the infant
church.
7. In Berea, Paul receives a
better reception. But a mob is stirred up by those from Thessalonica. Paul leaves,
but Silas and Timothy stay behind (Acts 17:10-15).
8. Paul speaks to the court of
the Areopagus which met to consider new religions. His teaching of the
resurrection divides his audience: some mock but some believe (Acts 17:16-34).
9. Paul travels to Corinth. Silas
and Timothy arrive with news of Thessalonica. Paul writes 1 and 2
Thessalonians, encouraging that church. They spend almost 2 years here. Despite
Jewish opposition, they are able to stay (Acts 18:1-17).
10. They stop briefly in Ephesus. He debates with the Jews who want him to
stay longer (Acts 18:18-21).
11. They travel back to Antioch, via Caesarea and Jerusalem (Acts 18:22).
Founding of the Church.
In response to the Macedonian call, Paul and his companions
had crossed the Aegean Sea from Troas to Neapolis and followed the renowned
Egnatian Way some eight to ten miles up and over the coastal range to the city
of Philippi. Philippi (named after Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander
the Great) was famous for its gold mines and its strategic location as the
gateway to Europe. It was a miniature Rome, a proud Roman colony, exempt from
taxation and modeled after the capital of the world. With the conversion of
Lydia, the slave girl, and the jailer (Acts 16), it became the "birthplace
of European Christianity." Soon Paul moved on towards Thessalonica,
leaving Luke behind to care for this flock that held such a special place in
his affections. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
The Epistle to Philippi
Outline
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Salutation
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1:1-2
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Christ
Our Life
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1:3-26
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Christ
Our Pattern
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1:27-2:30
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Christ
Our Goal
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3:1-4:1
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Christ
Our Sufficiency
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4:2-20
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Greetings and Benediction
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4:21-23
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Chart
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Testimony
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Examples
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Exhortations
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For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain (1:21)
1:1
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Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ
(1:27)
Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus (2:5-11)
1:27
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I count all things to be loss (3:8)
That I may know him, and the power of His resurrection (3:11) Forgetting what lies behind, I
press toward the goal (3:13,14)
Citizenship in Heaven (3:20)
3:1
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Have no anxiety about anything (4:6) I have learned to be content
(4:11)
I can do all things thru Christ (4:13)
My God shall supply all your needs (4:19)
4:2 4:23
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Key Verses
ï
Themes
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Christ Our Life
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Christ Our Pattern
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Christ Our Goal
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Christ Our Sufficiency
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Life In
Christ
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Glorify Christ
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Be Like Christ
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Gain Christ
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Be Content in Christ
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Motives
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Supply of the Spirit
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Fellowship in the Spirit
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Worship by the Spirit
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Grace thru the Spirit
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Spirit
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The
Christian Life - An Abiding Joy (2:17-18)
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Rejoice:
In fellowship of saints 1:3-11
Over afflictions 1:12-30
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Rejoice:
in the ministry for the saints (2:1-18)
in fellowship of Timothy and Epaphroditus
(2:19-30)
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Rejoice:
that your hopes are in Jesus (3:2-16)
that your citizenship is in heaven (3:20)
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Rejoice:
always over all things (4:4-9)
in bounties of God’s people (4:10-19)
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Joy
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