Philippians: Intro 1
It is generally accepted that Paul wrote the letter to the church in Philippi around 61 or 62, and it seems sure it was written (dictated) while Paul was held under loose imprisonment in Rome. While his status as a Roman citizen allowed him to enjoy some privileges, he was still facing trial and possible execution. It is thought that the passing of the news between Paul and this church lasted about one year.
There have been numerous writers who have thought that this epistle as we have it in our Bible was actually compiled from several letters Paul penned rather than only one letter. The scribe who wrote for John, Polycarp, wrote that Paul had sent letters (plural) to the church in his effort to maintain the path of the believers there. There are some places within the letter that are rough in transition that may support such a thought (e.g. 3:1 to 3:2).
As in Galatians, Paul teaches of those who arrived at the church and likely were again perhaps Judaizers. Paul saw them as a threat and felt that these who came were presenting themselves as high level religious men who argued that the status and commitment of the Philippian believers were defective and immature. In addition they once again argued for circumcision to show devotion to the long held beliefs of the Jews. In chapter three Paul strongly brings forth his points of faith against these men and identifies them as “enemies of the cross of Christ” (3:18).
Paul seems to have five reasons for the letter:
The Philippians had sent him financial support through the messenger named Epaphroditus and this letter was a thank you letter.
During his time with Paul, Epaphroditus fell ill and news of his illness had found its way back to the church. Paul decided to send him home and use him to deliver the letter (or letters).
Jewish men were arriving at the church bringing doubt to the believers in their teachings as well as preaching that the men church members lacked the mark of the covenant of Abraham. Paul wished to respond with strength of feeling to counter this issue.
Paul still had hope of being released from prison in Rome and wanted to visit the church and said so in his letter.
Paul took this occasion to offer some pastoral counseling in this letter to hopefully smooth over some strained relations within the congregation that had been reported to him.
It is felt that this letter was the warmest and most joyful of all the letters that we have among the several epistles by Paul in our Bible. It opens with an immediate recollection of how the Philippian members had shared the gospel from the beginning.
Paul further cites deep affection as he speaks of his own feelings “because I hold you in my heart” and “because you hold me in your hearts”. He affirms his longing for them in prayer, comparing it to the affection of Christ Jesus, a phrase that appears nowhere else in all his writings. He prays that their love might overflow and he shows strong confidence in their spiritual maturity. While he never reveals it, Paul seems by his words in this letter to say that if he had a favorite among the churches, this church in Philippi would be it.
We learn the names of only a few of the church members, with the name of two women given in chapter four (Euodia and Syntyche) who have apparently had a falling out and Paul mentions them in his letter which would be read in front of the entire church. Most likely they were among the leaders of this church as Paul refers to them as they “struggled along with me in the gospel”. Clement is also named as a co-worker.
The generosity of the church members is evident as is their hospitality as they have welcomed into their midst these incomers who are bringing confusion. But there is no mention of the actual beginning of this assembly members or its start we read about in Acts 16. There is no reference to Lydia or anyone who may be recognized as the jailer who was saved and baptized by Paul (along with his family). But the overall impression is of an independent church which is self supporting and strong in faith, until those from outside arrive with their dependence upon the law, causing distress to the members and certainly to Paul.