This letter was not written for one single purpose. Paul and silas first visited philippi in greece during pauls second missionary journey, which occurred between approximately 49. The verb rejoice is found 11 times in this book, more than any other book except luke. The apostle paul wrote the letter to express his gratitude and affection for the philippian church, his strongest supporters in ministry. Jan 07, 20 joy is a central theme in the book of philippians. Overview of the book of philippians reformed answers to.
He is always right beside us cheering us on or ahead of us leading the way. During this first stay in philippihe later briefly visited the city on his third missionary journey 20. Love god greatly is dedicated to making gods word available to our beautiful community of women and now, women have the incredible opportunity to share gods word with children through this study uniquely crafted for young hearts. Sometimes the author says he believes in mathematics and science, but in the next page he wants to to believe in mythological stories as history. The book were about to study was written to a group of people that made a difference in pauls life. Jun, 2014 pastor drew hunter helps readers grasp the message of isaiah, a prophetic book about the god who saves his people from their sins. Paul wrote the epistle to show his appreciation and gratitude to the church at philippi and its members for their continued support and generosity. Philippians is one of pauls shortest letters and one of the smallest books in the new testament but there are such powerful teachings in this little dynamo. Each study will help your group to understand the text, how we might push against gods desires as revealed in each passage, and how jesus can help us to embrace his desires. Moderation means graciousness or sweet reasonableness. Watch our overview video on the book of philippians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The following are five of the most helpful commentaries on the epistle to the philippians.
The idea of a book like this comes several times in the bible. It was at philippi, which the apostle visited on his second missionary journey. What does it mean and when will it happen that every knee shall bow. If rome, the date of writing was probably around 62 a. The book of philippians is in the bibles new testament. By using this website, i acknowledge that i am 16 years of age or older, and i. Pastor drew hunter helps readers grasp the message of isaiah, a prophetic book about the god who saves his people from their sins. The people to whom he was writing inhabited a city in the north of modern greece. What can we learn from this book written nearly 2,000 years ago.
More than any other church, the believers in philippi offered paul material support for his ministry 2 corinthians 8. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer. Life as a follower of christ is not a fiftyyard dash. Nov 17, 2015 what can we learn from this book written nearly 2,000 years ago. Paul, timothy, and epaphroditus are the major personalities in the book of philippians. Philippians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of philippians for bible study or sunday school lessons. Many of the philippians were retired military men who had been given land in the vicinity and who in turn served as a military presence in this frontier city. Philippians 2 new international version niv imitating christs humility. There are 15 explicit references to some form of either the noun joy chara in greek or the verb rejoice chairo in this short letter.
The book of philippians paul writes a thankyou note to the believers at philippi for their help in his hour of need, and he uses the occasion to send along some instructions on christian unity. These gifts were delivered by epaphroditus, a leader in the philippian church who ended up assisting paul with ministry in rome. The author who else but paul would be the author of the book of philippians. Philippians introduction commentary peoples new testament. Having developed this mindset of rejoicing in the lord and having warned the congregation about the kinds of people that will pull them away from that mindset, paul now summarizes and brings some specific application for the philippian congregation. Having developed this mindset of rejoicing in the lord and having warned the congregation about the kinds of people that will pull them away from that mindset, paul now summarizes and brings some specific application for. He knows what it is like to pursue the honor of another, the father in jesus case, even at the cost of your own. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Study the bible online using commentary on philippians introduction and more. The book of philippians can be summarized in the word encouragement. The fellowship we experience with other christians comes by gods grace and produces joy and love. In this book of life, god keeps a record of those people who are loyal to him. Use this topic or order a custom research paper, written exactly how you need it to be.
It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. The joy of the christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of philippians. Paul wrote this letter to the church at philippi, which he had established acts 16. The book of philippians is an epistle that paul wrote while he was anticipating his release from prison. Be on the alert for christians who really do exemplify this basic christian attitude, this habit of helpfulness. It was a prosperous roman colony, which meant that the citizens of philippi were also citizens of the city of rome itself. There are, however, questions about whether the letter as a whole is unified or a composite of pauline letters sent to the philippian church and later grouped together by an editor. Knowing jesus is a deeply personal and transformative encounter. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the. He knows what it is like to be abandoned by people you thought were your brothers, he knows what it is like to lay down his life for others. Philippians 14 niv paul and timothy, servants of christ. The book of ephesians is one of four prison epistles, so titled because they were written by the apostle while he. Book of philippians bible survey what are the pauline epistles. Throughout this letter, paul is encouraging the people of philippi to.
The history of the origin of the church and the memory of the loving remembrances of the philippians help to explain the affectionate tenderness of the letter. That philippi was a roman colony may explain why there were not enough jews there to permit the establishment of a synagogue and why paul does not quote the ot in the philippian letter. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible society. A verse by verse examination of the apostle pauls epistle of joy to the beloved philippian church. This book tries to make people believe in bible blindly. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see 1. Book of philippians introduction and summary learn religions. They are never the sort who strut their way into leadership with inflated estimates of their own importance. The book of philippians shows christians how to live jesus. Some professionsteachers, health workers, customer service people, and parents, to name a fewmay be used to working overtime without extra pay to help people in need.
Pauls macedonian call in troas during his 2nd missionary journey led him to his work in philippi. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy, and is addressed to the christian church in philippi. Culture of the philippines history, people, clothing. The epistle to the philippians is the last of the four prison epistles of paul. Righteousness through faith 1 finally, my brothers, rejoice in the lord. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives.
Paul prays for the philippian believers with joy chara because of their partnership with him in the gospel. They are the kind who cheerfully pick up after other people. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Philippians 1, new international version niv the bible app.
Imitate timothy, epaphroditus, and paul are living examples of the story of jesus. Jun 25, 2019 the joy of the christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of philippians. He repeatedly uses the word convert as if he wants people to be converted to christianity. Philippians the book of philippians, in the bible, is depicted from the perspective of the apostle paul. Paul was a prisoner when he wrote the book of philippians. The letter of paul to the philippians thinking faith. Philippians 2 niv imitating christs humility bible gateway. The other companions may have been too many to mention. Peasant groups such as the huks people s liberation army, or hukbong magpapayang bayan in the 1950s and the npa new people s army at the present time have resorted to guerrilla tactics to provide land for the poor. Paul says that their names are in the book of life. The book of philippians is a letter written by the apostle paul to a church he cherished and that also cherished him. Read philippians introduction commentary using people s new testament. Echoes of philippians are found in the writings of. This series of 8 studies will allow you to cover the entirety of the book of philippians.
When paul came to the city around 49 ce, philippi was an urban center at the eastern end of the plain, a few miles northwest from neapolis. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in jesus christ. Christians should rejoice more than all other people, because our names are in the lambs book of life. The book of philippians was written in approximately a. There are study guides and answer helps for each passage.
Of the four prison epistles, paul likely wrote philippians last, near the end of his roman imprisonment in ad 61 or 62. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Paul writes a thankyou note to the believers at philippi for their help in his hour of need, and he uses the occasion to send along some instructions on christian unity.
To thank the philippians for their solidarity with him while he was in prison and to encourage them to unity and humble service toward each other in christ. The book of philippians shows how living as a christian means seeing your own story as a living expression of jesus story. Paul wrote this letter while in prison to the church to also tell them how he was doing. Philippians and work bible commentary theology of work. Jan 02, 2020 book of philippians bible survey what are the pauline epistles.
The authorship of the book, then, according to most scholars is fairly certain. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. All this in four short chapters for these reasons and others, philippians is a book of the bible that deserves not just our. How to study the bible updated, annotated kindle edition. This summary of the book of philippians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of philippians. Do you need energy and refreshment for the race of life. Behind the text of philippians stands a riveting story shared by paul. The people there were both romans and greeks and spoke predominantly greek even though latin was the official language. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible. Instead, do your work because of the benefit it brings to others, and learn to be content with however much or little it provides for you.
The epistle to the philippians, one of pauls prison epistles, was written in rome. Many of those who lived there enjoyed the privileges of roman citizenship, and it was a place where former soldiers of the roman legions settled. Once we have answered this question with a reasonable degree of certainty we can postulate a date for the book. In philippians, you will find all you need to run with strength and. The apostle paul did not write philippians in response to a crisis, as he did with galatians and colossians. The words joy and rejoice are used 16 times in the epistle.
The account of the founding of the church at philippi, which occurred in a. Philippians summary from the easyenglish bible easy. God offers strength for the race, cold water to quench our thirst, and fresh legs when we grow weary. The people were proud of their city, ties with rome, roman customs. Most of all, however, he wrote to them because he had a deep care and affection for them. There is an ongoing demand to clear forests to provide farmland. Throughout this letter, paul is encouraging the people of philippi to live out lives that are obedient god and that are uplifting to one another. All this in four short chapters for these reasons and others, philippians is a book of the bible that deserves not just our routine reading but our careful study and meditation.
Though situated in greece, it was a city with a very roman atmosphere. Instead, he wrote to express his appreciation and affection for the philippian believers. Jun 20, 2017 most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Philippians 2 niv imitating christs humility bible. The people there were both romans and greeks and spoke. Epaphroditus carried the philippian letter from rome back to philippi.
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