(ALMOST) EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT PHILIPPIANS BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK!

When you ask people what they are missing in their lives today, many will tell you that it is real joy and peace! That is because things like circumstances, people, things and worry have taken control of their lives and have robbed them of their joy and peace. This loss of joy and peace results in personal pain, personal suffering, personal trials and broken personal relationships.

This is why a study of Philipiians is always timely. The book of Philippians helps to remind us how we can experience real joy and peace and how we can be victorious over worry that comes from people, things and circumstances. If we approach this wonderful little Epistle with an open mind and a desire to learn we will be reminded of blessings that come from experiencing the joy and peace of God.

By way of introduction, our first post is entitled “(Almost) Everything You Wanted to Know About Philippians but Were Afraid to Ask.”


I. The Background
Why study the background of a book? Because it helps to establish the context. After all, the book of Philippians is a personal letter involving a writer and recipients. In order to better understand the context several questions usually need to be asked.

 Who was the writer and why did he feel the need to write the letter?
 Who were the recipients?
 What was their culture, language and religious background like?
 What specific problems were they facing and what specific areas did they
need guidance in?

Not only is this letter, a personal letter, but it is a personal letter inspired by the Holy Spirit! To know the answers to these questions is to know and understand the will of the Holy Spirit who inspired these words. As we look at the background of this personal letter inspired by the Holy Spirit we will focus on the city of Philippi and the church at Philippi. I want to give you a brief introduction to both.

The City of Philippi

Its Location

The city of Philippi is located in the province of Macedonia some 800 miles from Rome. The site of the city was ideal because it served as a natural fortress, sitting on a range of hills that separated Europe from Asia – the East from the West. Several other factors made its location significant.

• It was located just 10 miles from the seaport of Neopolis
• It was in an area known for its abundant natural resources, such as water, timber, and precious metals; most importantly, the area contained extensive gold mines.
• It was strategically located on the great Roman road known as the “Via Egnatia” or The Egnatian Way, making it the gate way to Europe

For more information on its location I would suggest you check one of the reference maps of Paul’s missionary journeys usually found in the back of most Bibles.

Its History

The ancient name of the city was Krenides which means “little fountains” because of its numerous springs. Around 350 B.C. the name was changed to Philippi after Philip II of Macedon (the father of Alexander the Great) helped deliver the city from the neighboring Thracians. Through the exploits of Philip’s son Alexander, Philippi became the capital of the Greek empire and it remained the showcase of Greek culture for almost two-hundred years.

It has been said that if Philip and Alexander had not gone east, Paul and the Gospel which he proclaimed could not have gone west! Why? Because of the uniting effect that the Greek language had on the world. Much like the English language today, “koine” Greek became the second language of almost every culture. When Paul would go into each new city he knew that he would be able to communicate because most people were able to speak “koine” Greek as a second language. In fact, much of the New Testament was written in this language!

Around 168-167 B.C. Roman soldiers conquered Philippi and the city’s significance diminished until about 40 B.C. In 44 B.C. Julius Caesar died and a civil war broke out in Rome between the forces of Brutus / Cassius and Octavian / Antony. Two of the battles between these forces occurred near the city of Philippi.

Ultimately Octavian and Antony were victorious and began to disband their armies, many of the soldiers decided to settle in Philippi. During this time Philippi was declared a Roman Colony. Later, Octavian and Antony fought one another for sole leadership of Rome Octavian ultimately defeating Antony & Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium.

Antony’s soldiers and followers were stripped of their estates and property in Italy and were given the opportunity to join those Roman soldiers who had earlier retired in Philippi. In effect, Philippi became a miniature Rome! These Romans Colonists naturally sought to keep all their ties to Rome, including, language, titles, customs, affairs, and dress. Jus Italicum was conferred upon the entire community so that the inhabitants of the city could enjoy the economic and political privileges of Roman citizenship. Some of these privileges involved,

 Exemption from tribute
 The right to acquire, hold and transfer property
 Freedom from interference of the provincial governor
 The right and responsibility to regulate their own civic affairs

So, when Paul came to Philippi, he came to one of the most Roman of all European cities. This fact comes through in his letter in several places. For example,

In chapter 1:13 Paul mentions the “praetorian guard.” Some of his readers in Philippi may have had family members who belonged to this elite force.

In chapter 1:27 Paul uses the phrase “only conduct yourselves”… The word “conduct” (Greek politeuesthe) is the root word for politics, city (polis) and police and refers to a person’s responsibilities as a member of a community i.e. citizenship (cf. 3:20). Just as they were proud and dutiful in their Roman citizenship, they need to do the same in their heavenly citizenship.

In chapter 1:28 “in no way alarmed by your opponents-- which is a sign of destruction for them”…This phrase as we will see has reference to the Roman aspects of their lives.

In chapter 4:22 when Paul mentions “those of Caesar’s household” he is giving a nod to his Roman audience.

The Church at Philippi
The founding of the Church is recorded for us in Acts 16:6-40 during Paul’s second missionary journey probably around 51 A.D. When Paul and Barnabas determined to return to the churches founded on their first missionary journey, he and Barnabas could not agree on taking John Mark who had deserted them on their first trip. All this is recorded in Acts 15:36-38. Agreeing to disagree, Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus while Paul took Silas went to Asia Minor.

As Paul and Silas left traveling west for Asia Minor, they were soon joined by a young man named Timothy.

Acts 16:1-5
1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees, which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. 5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. NAS


However, forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go further into Asia they were directed by a vision to go to Macedonia instead (this is often referred to as the Macedonian Call).

Acts 16:6-10
6 And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; 8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a certain man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. NAS

Answering the call of the Spirit of God they immediately headed for Macedonia, eventually arriving in Philippi as Luke puts it, a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony.

Acts 16:11-12
11 Therefore putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days. NAS

In the rest of Acts 16 we are told about three significant events surrounding the founding of the church there (Acts 16:13-40).

• Event #1 – The Conversion of Lydia – v.13-15

Acts 16:13-15
13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. NAS

Paul’s normal custom was to find a Synagogue where he could initiate conversations about Christ but there was apparently no Synagogue in Philippi. Why? In 49 A.D. Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from Rome, since Philippi was such a strong Roman Colony it is likely that they were expelled from there also.

Instead, on this day Paul went to the riverside just outside the city gates to meet with those who were there to pray. There they met the first Philippian convert – Lydia. We are told several things about Lydia in v.13-15.

 She was a business woman – “a seller of purple [cloth]”
 She was not a native Philippian – “from the city of Thyatira”
 She was a God fearing Gentile – “who worshiped God”

The waters of Thyatira were known for their shellfish that yielded a purple dye. The Romans loved the color purple because it was the color of royalty – this no doubt was the reason she had moved to Philippi. Since the dye was very expensive, she was probably a woman of considerable means. Given her financial resources she was able to invite Paul and Silas into her home following her conversion. Because she was a Gentile Proselyte to the Jewish faith her conversion to Christ would have been a natural outworking of her desire to know God.

• Event #2 – The Exorcism of a Demon Possessed Slave Girl – v.16-23

Acts 16:16-23
16 And it happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortunetelling. 17 Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, "These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation." 18 And she continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out at that very moment.
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, 20 and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, "These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, 21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans. " 22 And the crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them, and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; NAS

Several brief comments can be made about this section. First, there is an obvious connection between fortune-telling and the occult. There also seems to be a connection between the occult and making a profit (v.16). Second, even the demons know the truth about God and His servants (v.17) which confirms what James wrote (James 2:19). Third, even though the demon-possessed girl spoke the truth Paul did not think her form of advertising was helpful (v.18). Fourth, in v.19-24 Luke does a good job of bringing out the Roman culture that was deeply imbedded in Philippi.

• Event #3 – The Conversion of the Philippian Jailer – v.25-34

Acts 16:25-34
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains were unfastened. 27 And when the jailer had been roused out of sleep and had seen the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!" 29 And he called for lights and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. NAS

As was often the case, Paul was able to take a circumstance that was difficult and somehow find the joy in it and be at peace. When he wrote the words of Romans 5 maybe he thought about this experience at Philippi.

Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. NAS

In v.35-40 – we see just how important the issue of Roman citizenship becomes to Paul.

Acts 16:35-40
35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, "Release those men." 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Now therefore, come out and go in peace." 37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out." 38 And the policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. And they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, 39 and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept begging them to leave the city. 40 And they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. NAS

What an interesting mix of people to start a church with!

 A Gentile businesswoman
 A former demon possessed slave girl
 A Roman jailer

If I was going to start a church they may not have been the three individuals I would have chosen! Yet, God did and the Philippian church became in many ways a model church – especially in their giving spirit. When Paul was in prison at Rome, the church sent Epaphroditus one of their leaders, to minister to Paul through his presence and a financial gift (Phil. 4:15-18). When encouraging the Corinthians to give to a special offering he was taking for the poor saints in Jerusalem Paul used the Philippians as an example (2 Cor. 8:1-5; 11:9).

II. The Book

The Author – v.1a – “Paul… bondservants of Christ Jesus”

The Date – around the year 62 A.D.

The Recipients – v.1b – “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons”

The Purpose – There are several apparent reasons for writing the epistle

• To update them on Paul’s condition – (1:12-30)
• To prevent criticism of Epaphroditus – (2:25-30)
• To warn against false teachers (Judaizers) – (3:1-21)
• To call the Church to unity and harmony – (1:27; 2:2-4,
5-11, 14; 4:1-3)
• To thank the Philippians for their support – (1:5; 4:15-20;
2 Cor. 8:1ff)

Why study the book of Philippians?

1.) Because it is one of Paul’s most personal letters we are given special insight into his heart for people and his mind for ministry –
1:3-8; 12-24; 2:17-18; 3:1-14; 4:1; 10-20

2.) It is the “Epistle of Joy” – the words “joy” (4x’s) and “rejoicing” (12x’s) and “glad[ness]” (3x’s) are used 19 times in the epistle

3.) It emphasizes the kind of attitudes we should have as believers – the words “mind” and “think” are used 15 times in the epistle (with the right attitude and mindset comes peace)

4.) It emphasizes our position and relationship to Jesus – The
phrases “in Christ”; “through Christ” and “in the Lord” are used at
least 19 times in the epistle (1:13,14,26,29; 2:1,5,19,24, 29;
3:1,4,9,14; 4:1,4,7,10,13,21)

Two suggested outlines:
Outline #1 – Wiersbe

I. The Single Mind – Chapter 1 – Joy in spite of circumstances
II. The Submissive Mind – Chapter 2 – Joy in spite of people
III. The Spiritual Mind – Chapter 3 – Joy in spite of things
IV. The Secure Mind – Chapter 4 – Joy that defeats worry

Outline #2 – Flocks Study Guide

I. Greetings and expressions – Phil. 1:1-11
II. Paul’s personal circumstances: The preaching of Christ – Phil. 1:12-30
III. The pattern of the Christian life: The humility of Christ – Phil. 2:1-30
IV. The prize of the Christian life: The knowledge of Christ – Phil. 3:1-21
V. The peace of the Christian life: The presence of Christ – Phil. 4:1-23