What is your favorite bible verse from the book of philippians. The book of philippians is commonly believed to be written in the year 61 or 62 ad. Philippians 1 paul and timothy, servants of christ. The context indicates that if we murmur or reason, we do not obey. I have mentioned several times that this book is essentially a thankyou note from the apostle paul to the church at philippi. A map of philippi and surrounding regions the city of philippi and the origin of the church there the city of philippi, as one can see from the map, is located in north eastern greece macedonia. Properly, i have strength in all things, rather according to the context to bear than to do. The unanimous testimony of the early church was that the apostle paul wrote philippines. Over the next four fridays we are going to be studying the book of philippians together.
Paul encourages the philippians to live as citizens of a heavenly city, growing in their commitment to serve god and one another. Pauls epistle to the philippians in six discussions chi alpha new orleans 2008 discussion 2. The city was already ancient by the time paul arrived there around 49 ce acts 16. He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of christ jesus philippians 1. Serve the lord joyfully 2 if you need encouragement, boast in the lord. Watch our overview video on the book of philippians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This book is known as one of pauls prison epistles colossians, ephesians, philemon, and philippians. In chapter 4, he is the source of pauls power over circumstances i can do all things through christ which strengtheneth me, 4. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see1. From internal considerations it appears that colossians, ephesians, and philemon were written early during pauls roman imprisonment and taken together to asia minor by tychicus col. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the. Yet, this thank you memo quickly turns into an opportunity to stress a spiritual perspective which he himself had to learn, and one which he desperately desires them to learn.
But the portrait of jesus christ as a humble servant. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote philippians around 6163 a. Philippians 4 background information with maps and images. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible. A verse by verse examination of the apostle pauls epistle of joy to the. Among them were lydia, a businesswoman who opened her home to paul and his coworkers 16. Instead of being chained by our past mistakes, we can move forward, knowing that we carry christs forgiveness. The book of philippians free online bible study lessons. The book of philippians shows christians how to live jesus. Now viewing scripture range from the book of philippians chapter 3. Jesus christ is our life chapter 1 jesus christ is our example chapters 2 jesus christ is our prize chapter 3 jesus christ is our peace chapter 4.
Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. If jesus possessed the nature of deity, could he lose that nature or. Philippi was the first town in macedonia where paul established a church. It was at philippi, which the apostle visited on his second missionary journey. Philippians derives its name from the greek city where the church to which it was addressed was located. Philippians 1, new international version niv the bible app. The epistle to the philippians, one of pauls prison epistles, was written in rome. It was written to show his appreciation and love to the philippians in a thankyou letter for their. The poem retells the gospel story and references adams rebellion from genesis and the suffering. The name jesus in ancient hebrew text yeshua in first century hebrew text.
The general consensus is that these epistles were written during pauls imprisonment at rome cf. Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness. In fact, its beginnings go back to the fourth century bce when it was occupied by the thracians. First, paul discusses the importance of righteousness through faith in. The church can thank phillip and his son alexander for establishing the greek empire, which gave way. But the universal extension of the maxim beyond the immediate occasion and context is not inadmissible. They key personalities are the apostle paul, timothy, epaphroditus, euodia, and syntyche. Philippians chapter 3 speaks about christ as the proper focus during times of suffering. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy, and is addressed to the christian church in philippi. The book of philippians can be summarized in the word encouragement. Philippians intro to philippians biblica the international bible. The many personal references of the author fit what we know of paul from other nt books. Therefore, paul was in philippi on three different occasions. The authorship of the book, then, according to most scholars is fairly certain.
Book of philippians free bible study questions, class book, workbook, assignments, and study material. In chapters 1 and 2 of philippians letter b, paul sends word to the. In the book of philippians, we read a series of short vignettes revolving around the messiah poem in chapter 2. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, philippians 3. Paul thanks the philippian christians for their generosity and shares how they are all called to imitate jesus selfgiving love. Read acts chapter 16 for background information on the city of philippi read through the whole book of philippians read through my background notes for this lesson. The first chapter also records pauls remarkable soliloquy. The city was founded by phillip ii, the father of alexander the great. Philippians, note how many times paul talks about remembering and thinking. The book of philippians chapter one workbook eeonline biblestudy. 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.
This was still several years before his death in 68. A chapterbychapter bible study of the book of philippians 5 introduction to philippians as you begin your study of philippians, i recommend. Paul proceeds to show that his background is not only without any cause for boasting but far exceeds the status and qualifications of the judaizers 3. Try to read the whole book of philippians again as we study chapter 2. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. Swift among exegetes, philippians has been sort of a rubiks cube of the pauline literature. Paul was a prisoner when he wrote the book of philippians. Paul and silas first visited philippi in greece during pauls second missionary journey, which occurred between approximately 49. Brothers, i do not consider that i have made it my own.
The book of philippians 4 failing to give roman citizens a proper trial 16. Philippians was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment, about 62 ad. No doubt this was the background for pauls reference to the believers. Background paper on the epistle to the philippians the city of philippi the city of philippi was located in modern macedonia, which is north of greece. Philippians is one of pauls four prison epistles phl 1.
As pointed out in the introduction, it is useless to divide this letter in the pattern of a classical outline. This sermon give the background to the book of philippians by mentioning about apostle paul calling, missionary journeys and churches he established. It was written to show his appreciation and love to. Therefore god has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that jesus christ is lord, to. Nothing in the letter would have motivated a forger to write it. Certainly our thoughts have a great influence on our lives, and.
Obedience to god slays all murmurings and reasonings. We can summarize the theme of the book as the christ like mind that brings christian joy. In each chapter, paul describes the kind of mind christians must have if they are to enjoy christs peace and joy. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the christians in philippi, probably from rome c.
The book of philippians was written in approximately a. Philippians 4 new international version niv closing appeal for steadfastness and unity. Philippians 3, king james version kjv the bible app. Introduction to the book of philippians clover sites. It represents the ultimate and ideal consciousness of the christian. Philippians 2 sets this passage up in the context of persecution and oppression for the sake of the gospel. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Paul then talks about joyfulness and prayerfulness. Philippians summary from the easyenglish bible easy. Paul gives us the formula for power in christian living, which must be met before we can quote verse.