Introduction to Philippians

Authorship: Paul

• Co-sender: Timothy
• Letter carrier: Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

Date: AD 61–62

Place of writing: House arrest in Rome

• “My imprisonment” (3x: 1:7, 13, 14, 17)
• “The whole imperial guard” (1:13)
• “… especially those of Caesar’s household” (4:22)

Addressees: The church at Philippi

• Located in Macedonia
• Philippi was a Roman colony

Purposes of Philippians

1. To thank the church at Philippi for their partnership in the gospel (1:5; 2:25; 4:10, 14-18)
2. To inform them of his current situation and his future plans (1:12-20; 2:19-24)
3. To exhort them to unity in face of opposition for sake of gospel witness (1:20–2:18)
4. To send Epaphroditus back to them (2:25-30)
5. To warn them against the Judaizers (3:1-2, 17-19)

Outline of Philippians

1. 1:1-11: Letter Opening
2. 1:12–4:20: Letter Body
   1. 1:12-26: Paul’s imprisonment has turned out to advance the gospel!
   2. 1:27–2:18: Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel
   3. 2:19-30: Sending Timothy and Epaphroditus
   4. 3:1-21: Inoculation against legalists
   5. 4:1-20: Concluding instructions and thanks for their gift
3. 4:21-23: Letter Closing

Key Contributions

1. The intermediate state: “to be with Christ” (1:21-23)
2. An early Christian creed (2:5-11) - important testimony to early high Christology
   1. Preexistence of Christ (v 6) - “equality with God”
   2. Incarnation and Humiliation of Christ (vv 7-8)
   3. Exaltation of Christ (vv 9-11)
3. Paul assesses his past in light of Christ (3:1-11)
   1. The true circumcision (3:1-3)
   2. Paul’s past confidence in the flesh (3:4-6)
   3. The accounting ledger—gain vs. loss (3:7-8)
   4. The righteousness from God (3:9-11)
4. Our citizenship is in heaven (3:19-21)
5. How to deal with anxiety (4:6-7)