Paul encourages the philippians to live as citizens of a heavenly city, growing in their commitment to serve god and one another. Finally paul encourages the philippians to put everything they have learned or received from him into practice saying that in doing so they would know the peace of god. Second corinthians and galatians abound with personal touches from paul, either about his own life or that of the recipients. Jun 25, 2019 the joy of the christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of philippians. We love to read philippians and we love to study it and to memorize it. Paul, timothy, and epaphroditus try to be good examples as well. Paul had established the congregation in philippi, in the province of macedonia, and the book of philippians is actually a letter paul wrote to this congregation, encouraging and commending them. Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness. It was written to show his appreciation and love to the philippians in a thankyou letter for their. In this 4day plan, youll read through the book of philippians which paul wrote from prison to find biblical perspective, hope, and instruction for how we should work during the covid19 crisis.
They key personalities are the apostle paul, timothy, epaphroditus, euodia, and syntyche. Paul wrote the book of philippians to the church in philippe, paul founded this church in his second missionary journey. The book of philippians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. The general consensus is that these epistles were written during pauls imprisonment at rome cf. The apostle paul wrote four books while in a roman prison. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote philippians around 6163 a. Philippians 1 full chapter greetings from paul this letter is from paul and timothy, slaves of christ jesus. The verb rejoice is found 11 times in this book, more than any other book except luke. When paul wrote the book of philippians, he was in prison. The epistle to the philippians executable outlines. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries.
And it was from this mindset that he wrote to the believers in philippi. Paul and silas first visited philippi in greece during pauls second missionary journey, which occurred between approximately 49. When he wrote philippians, he was not in the mamertine dungeon as he was when. The epistle to the philippians introduction author the apostle paul 1.
The book of philippians is in the bibles new testament. Letter of paul to the philippians work by saint paul. Philippians derives its name from the greek city where the church to which it was addressed was located. The very first verse in philippians attributes the letter to the apostle paul. This morning we are beginning a new sermon series from the book of philippians. The book of philippians was written in approximately a. Ephesians, on the other hand, stands at the opposite end of the spectrum as one of pauls most formal letters. In the first chapter, paul appears to indicate that he wrote philippians. Letter of paul to the philippians, new testament letter written by paul the apostle, while he was in prison probably at rome about ad 62, and addressed to the christian congregation he had established in macedonia. It was written to show his appreciation and love to. Joyful living in a grumpy world keep believing ministries.
The joy of the christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of philippians. Book of philippians introduction and summary learn religions. Paul was a prisoner when he wrote the book of philippians. He also wanted to commend the unselfishness of epaphroditus, as well as informing them of his love for them, and his own personal condition. In the epistle to the philippians we may distinguish five parts. Nothing in the letter would have motivated a forger to write it.
The apostle paul did not write philippians in response to a crisis, as he did with galatians and colossians. Closing appeal for steadfastness and unity therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom i love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the lord in this way, dear friends. Philippians summary from the easyenglish bible easy. His statements to the philippians concerning his possibly imminent death e. The traditional view has been that it stems from pauls confinement in rome, between a. Some have argued that this imprisonment took place in ephesus, perhaps c. Greetings from paul this letter is from paul and timothy, slaves of christ jesus. Philippians intro to philippians biblica the international bible.
Letter of paul to the philippians work by saint paul britannica. The letter to the philippians is pauls warmest and most personal epistle. The letter of paul to the philippians thinking faith. Any identification of the place of writing of philippians is complicated by the fact that scholars generally view acts as being an unreliable source of information about the early church. Paul wrote the epistle to show his appreciation and gratitude to the church at philippi and its members for their continued support and generosity. Apprehensive that his execution was close at hand, yet hoping somehow to visit the philippians again, paul explains that he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel of christ. Books and articles that equip you for deeply biblical thinking and ministry. The external and internal evidence for the pauline authorship of philippians is very strong, and there is scarcely any doubt that paul wrote it. The words joy and rejoice are used 16 times in the epistle. The apostle addresses the philippians in the usual way, 1, 2. Paul wrote to the church at philippi while he was imprisoned in rome, thanking them for the kindness they showed him and sharing a surprising truthdespite his chains, hed found a reason to rejoice. The apostle paul wrote his letter to the philippians to thank them.
Epaphroditus also went above and beyond to help paul with his work philippians 2. Why paul wrote the letter to the philippians zondervan. It is short, only about four pages in a modern translation, but for many it is the most attractive of his letters, because of its positive picture of paul, his appreciation of the qualities of the christian community in philippi which he was addressing, and the pastoral. Jun, 2014 paul wrote philippians, in large part, to thank the church for their most recent care and to update them on epaphroditus, who was well and heading back home with the philippian letter. Paul wrote to the church at philippi while he was imprisoned in rome, thanking them for the kindness they showed him and sharing a surprising truthdespite his chains, hed found a. Philippians 4 closing appeal for steadfastness and bible. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Even when things go wrong, you can have joy by warren w.
The location of pauls imprisonment when he wrote to the philippians, and thus the date of the letter, are uncertain. Christ 37 times is used in more than onethird of all the verses in philippians. Gospel driven work in the covid19 crisis working from. Many bear the unmistakable marks of their oral origin and can best be. Additionally, the philippian church supported paul when he was imprisoned before acts 16. Why did paul write to the philippians essay example graduateway. The epistle to the philippians, one of pauls prison epistles, was written in rome. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see 1. The epistle to the philippians chapter one objectives in studying this chapter 1 to appreciate why the philippians were a source of great joy to paul 2 to learn from pauls attitude concerning persecution, death, and the purpose of life summary paul begins his epistle with his customary salutation followed by an expression of thanksgiving and. So in conclusion, pauls letter was a positive one, written to a church he loved and felt close to. Walk thru the bible has taught more people lifechanging truths than any other bible seminar organization, hosting. A walk thru the book of philippians character studies a walk thru the life of abraham a walk thru the life of elijah a walk thru the life of joseph a walk thru the life of peter a walk thru the life of solomon about the author.
This summary of the book of philippians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of philippians. Paul wrote this letter while in a roman prison, and the date of the composition of philippians depends on where paul was imprisoned. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. The citation is a book by 2 scholars, parsons and hornik. To thank the philippians for their solidarity with him while he was in prison and to encourage them to unity and humble service toward each other in christ. Pauls authorship of this letter is also supported by the testimony of early. What is your favorite bible verse from the book of philippians. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Why paul wrote the letter to the philippians zondervan academic.
Intro to philippians biblica the international bible. This fellowshipbond between an apostle, a church, and their messengers is practically everywhere in philippians see 1. Experience the joy of the lord walk thru the bible discussion guides baker publishing group on. There are many reasons for this, not least of which is that this is the happiest letter the apostle paul ever wrote. When paul wrote to the philippians, he was suffering greatly, and his very life was in jeopardy. Philippians is one of pauls four prison epistles phl 1. I plead with euodia and i plead with syntyche to be of the same mind in the lord. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy. It was at philippi, which the apostle visited on his second missionary journey. The gospel of christ will go forward, even in the face of persecution. The book of philippians shows how living as a christian means seeing your own story as a living expression of jesus story.
The many personal references of the author fit what we know of paul from other nt books. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the christians in philippi, probably from rome c. Paul wrote this letter to the church at philippi, which he had established acts 16. The apostle paul wrote the letter to express his gratitude and affection for the philippian church, his strongest supporters in ministry. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of philippians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. The book of philippians is an epistle that paul wrote while he was anticipating his release from prison. Letter of paul to the philippians, new testament letter written by paul the apostle, while he. At the beginning of philippians 1, he greets the philippian church, expresses how much he prays and yearns for them, and says how he desires for them to increase in love, discernment, and the fruit of the spirit verses 111. The unanimous testimony of the early church was that the apostle paul wrote philippines. It is evident that paul wrote the letter from prison see 1. Yes, and i ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with. Hidden in the new testament among the thirteen letters attributed to paul is the letter he wrote to the church of philippi. Why did paul write to the philippians essay example. Philippians 4 new international version niv closing appeal for steadfastness and unity.
More than any other church, the believers in philippi offered paul material support for his ministry 2 corinthians 8. A book that you wrote about yourself is an autobiography. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy, and is addressed to the christian church in philippi. Instead, he wrote to express his appreciation and affection for the philippian believers. One of the reasons paul wrote this book was to thank the church at philippi for their generous gift for the saints, writing no church entered into partnership. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Overview of the book of philippians reformed answers to.
Watch our overview video on the book of philippians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. He also wanted to commend the unselfishness of epaphroditus, as well as informing them of. Paul wrote philippians, in large part, to thank the church for their most recent care and to update them on epaphroditus, who was well and heading back home with the philippian letter. This is more than any other book in the new testament. One of the obvious reasons that paul wrote his letter to the philippians was to thank them for their generous offering. Philippians 4 closing appeal for steadfastness and. They had sent him a financial gift through a man named epaphroditus. I am writing to all of gods holy people in philippi who belong to christ jesus, including the church leaders and deacons. The authorship of the book, then, according to most scholars is fairly certain. The book of philippians shows christians how to live jesus. Gospel driven work in the covid19 crisis working from home. This summary of the book of philippians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of philippians.
The book does not appear to be written to address any problem, but simply as. May god our father and the lord jesus christ give you grace and peace. The others are philippians, colossians, and philemon. There are, however, questions about whether the letter as a whole is unified or a composite of pauline letters sent to the philippian church and later grouped together by an editor. Summary of the book of philippians story of the bible. Philippi was the first town in macedonia where paul established a church. Oct 12, 2011 as moises silva says, no one disputes the possibility that paul was imprisoned during his three years at ephesus, but that he wrote the letter of philippians from there is another matter silva, philippians becnt, second edition. As moises silva says, no one disputes the possibility that paul was imprisoned during his three years at ephesus, but that he wrote the letter of philippians from there is another matter silva, philippians becnt, second edition. By all accounts this is one of the most beloved books in the new testament.
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