The Strand Study Bible

PHILIPPIANS

Author: Paul Theme: Rejoicing in the Lord Always

About the Author: Paul, whose name means “little,” was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5), and a native of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia (Acts 21:39 & 22:3). Also called Saul, Paul inherited the rights of Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28) because his father was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6). At the age of perhaps thirteen (Acts 26:4-5), Paul was sent to Jerusalem and there became a student of orthodox Judaism under Gamaliel, a teacher of the law (Acts 22:3). Paul is first mentioned in Acts 7:58 where we find him consenting to the death of Stephen. His fanatical devotion to Judaism and his extreme hatred for Christianity made him the acknowledged leader of the Christian persecution. The spread of Christianity forced Paul to travel far and wide for his victims. Armed with authority from the High Priest, Paul journeyed toward Damascus where he had heard there were many Christians. It was while he was approaching that city that his wonderful conversion took place (c. AD 37 - Acts 9:3-6). For the next thirty years (from c. AD 37 to 67), until his death, Paul would go on three missionary journeys and face two Roman imprisonments. He would write thirteen epistles (fourteen, if you count Hebrews) and become known as the preacher to the Gentiles. About the Book: Paul reminded the Philippians, a persecuted group of Christians who were very close to Paul himself (II Cor 8), to rejoice in their salvation, no matter what their circumstances (Phil 4:8-9). Philippians was written from Rome c. AD 63, during Paul’s First Roman Imprisonment (Acts 28:29-31). Helpful Background: Paul first visited Philippi while on his Second Missionary Journey in AD 51 (Acts 16:12). Having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, Paul journeyed from Troas to Macedonia (Acts 16:6-12). Upon arrival in Philippi, he met a certain woman named Lydia, whom he immediately led to Christ. Soon a small work was established. A short time later, Paul and his co-worker, Silas, were stripped, beaten, and cast into prison. The next day Paul and Silas, having been miraculously released from prison the night before, left Philippi and came to Thessalonica. Twice, while in Thessalonica, the newly devoted Philippian church contributed to Paul’s needs (Phil 4:15-16). Paul then returned to Antioch. Six years later, in AD 57, while on his Third Missionary Journey, Paul entered Philippi for the second time (Acts 20:1). There he met Titus (II Cor 8:23), who was returning from Corinth to Philippi with the news that Paul’s first letter (I Corinthians) had done much good. From Philippi, Paul wrote II Corinthians before going on to Corinth personally. His second visit to Corinth was brief, only three months (Acts 20:3). He then revisited the Philippian church for the third time before going on to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4-6). Around four years later, in AD 61, Paul entered Rome as a prisoner for the first time (Acts 28:16). He spent approximately three years there (fromAD 61-63) (Acts 28:30). During that three-year stay, he wrote four epistles: Colossians (AD 62); Philemon (AD 62); Ephesians (AD 62); and Philippians (AD 63). The writing of Philippians was prompted by a visit from Epaphroditus, who was delivering a contribution from the Philippian church to Paul (Phil 2:25-30 & 4:18). Notes of Interest: 1. There are no OT quotations or characters found in Philippians . 2. Prophecies are referred to 8 times in Philippians . 3. Prophecies concerning CHRIST are referred to 7 of those 8 times. 4. There is 1 inset map used in the book of Philippians . It is numbered chronologically (#69). Outline of Philippians : 1. Let us rejoice together in Christ (Phil 1) 2. Let us be like-minded together in Christ (Phil 2-4) Philippians 1 Greetings from Paul and Timothy to the church at Philippi Date Written - c. AD 63 2 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remem- brance of you, 4 Always in 3 every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the 4 gospel 5 from the first day until now; 1:1 A local church ( which are at Philippi ) is made up of saints and those who lead (bishops) and serve (deacons) the saints. The requirements for those who make up the church are as follows: (1) bishops (pastors – I Tim 3:1-7 and Heb 13: 7, 17 ); (2) deacons (servants – Acts 6:1-6 and I Tim 3:8-13); and (3) saints (priests – Rev 1:6 and I Pet 2:5,9 ). 1:5 The first day , of course, was the day Paul started the church at Philippi twelve years earlier in Acts 16 (c. AD 51). For twelve years, everyday of his life, Paul prayed for Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), and for the young girl who was delivered from a demon (Acts 16:16-18), and for the Philippian jailer who had once beaten him and thrown him in jail before getting saved (Acts 16:23-34), and for the church itself that he had started. Paul loved the body of Christ, not just at Philippi, but everywhere there were born again believers. Notice Paul’s reaction towards believers everywhere (vs 15-18). In essence, what Paul was saying was, “I love the body of Christ, even that part of the body that doesn’t love me.” How thankful are you for the body of Christ (the Church, which assembles once a week)? Are you thankful enough to support it with your time, your talents, and your tithe? 1978 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and 1 deacons: 1. Acts 6:1-5 & I Tim 3:8-13 2. Eph 1:2 & Joel 2:13 3. Rom 1:9 4. I Cor 15:1-4 & Gal 3:8 & Heb 4:2 5. Acts 16:12-40