Letter 6 of 14 · Overview available
Philippians
Whatever happens, live worthy of the gospel, with the mind of Christ who humbled himself and was exalted.
Written from chains, Philippians overflows with joy. The Philippians had supported Paul from the start (4:15–16) and sent Epaphroditus with a gift.
At its center is the Christ hymn (2:6–11): though in the form of God, Christ emptied himself, took the form of a servant, and became obedient to death on a cross; therefore God highly exalted him. Paul applies this to a church facing rivalry (Euodia and Syntyche, 4:2) and warns against those who put confidence in the flesh (3:2–11).
- Date
- c. AD 61–62
- Written from
- Rome (in custody)
- Recipients
- The saints in Philippi with overseers and deacons
- Chapters
- 4
- Stage
- Imprisonment
- Author
- Paul the Apostle
Written from Roman custody — Paul mentions the palace guard and "Caesar's household" (Phil 1:13; 4:22).
Scholarly note: Some modern scholars suggest an earlier imprisonment in Ephesus or Caesarea. Sources
Why Paul wrote it
Thanks for the gift, news of Paul's situation and Epaphroditus's illness, and encouragement toward unity.
Why it matters today
It teaches contentment, joy, and humility rooted in Christ, not circumstances.
Related Acts passages
- Acts 16:11–40
- Acts 20:1–6
The World Behind the Letter
Philippi was a Roman colony proud of its citizenship (cf. Phil 3:20, "our citizenship is in heaven"). Many residents were veterans' descendants.
Purpose and Problems
Literary Structure
- 1
Thanksgiving and Paul's circumstances · 1:1–26
To live is Christ.
- 2
The mind of Christ · 1:27–2:30
Unity, the Christ hymn, Timothy and Epaphroditus.
- 3
Knowing Christ · 3:1–4:1
Loss and gain; pressing on.
- 4
Joy, peace and thanks · 4:2–23
Rejoice; contentment; gratitude.
Key passages
Passage-by-Passage
Theological Themes
My Notes
Sources
- Gordon D. Fee, Paul's Letter to the Philippians (NICNT, 1995)
- Gerald F. Hawthorne & Ralph P. Martin, Philippians (WBC, rev. 2004)