Lesson 64 – Letter to the Philippians

Philippi, in northeastern Greece, was a city of importance in the Roman province of Macedonia. Due to its history, the city became a popular retirement community for Roman soldiers. On his second missionary journey, Paul established at Philippi the first Christian community in Europe ca. 49 or 50 AD (Acts 16:9–40). The account in Acts mentions Silas and Timothy as well as introduces us to Luke. Paul was imprisoned in Philippi for a time before being asked to “move on” at which point Paul traveled to Thessalonica.

Paul’s letter to the Christians at Philippi was written while he was in a prison somewhere (a topic debated by scholars). Much of the letter is devoted to instruction about unity and humility within the Christian community at Philippi and exhortations to growth, joy, and peace in their life together. 

The letter seems to be drawing to a close at the end of what we number as Phil 2, as Paul reports the plans of his helper Timothy and of Epaphroditus, and even Paul’s own expectation that he will go free and come to Philippi. Yet quite abruptly at Phil 3:2, Paul erupts into warnings against false teachers who threaten to impose on the Philippians the burdens of the Mosaic law, including circumcision. This contributes to more scholarly debate about the original end of the letter, whether the letter that we have was a combination of letters to Philippi or was a circular letter of some kind. In any case, the section that follows is a vigorous attack on the Jewish Christian teachers who are burdening Gentile believers with requirements of the Law. The letter delves into justification, the Christian life, and ultimate hope.

The location of Paul’s imprisonment when he wrote to the Philippians, and thus the date of the letter, are subject to scholar debate. Rather than repeat all the views, the earliest date is 55 AD with the latest date suggesting 63 AD.