Overview of the Book of Philippians
Author: The author is the Apostle Paul.
Purpose:
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.
Date: c. A.D. 61
Paul's initial involvement with the Church at Philippi is recorded in Acts 16. Prompted by a vision (Acts 16:6-10), Paul and his colleagues traveled to Philippi (Acts 16:12). During their brief visit, God did mighty works and a church was established (Acts 16:40), Paul's first on European soil. Paul returned on at least two other occasions to strengthen the believers there (Acts 20:1-6; 2 Cor. 2:13).
Paul stressed the importance of identification with Christ in his death and resurrection. As with Christ, the believer's suffering is the prelude to resurrection (Phil. 3:10-11). For the present, it is in the midst of the ongoing struggle that the Christian experiences joy and empowerment (Phil. 3:10; 4:13).
- (1) Paul's Affection for His Readers. This epistle amply attests to the special bond of love Paul felt toward the Philippians (Phil. 1:3-8; 4:10-19). They had been faithful in their support of Paul's ministry, and their willingness to suffer with him for Christ's sake was a source of encouragement for Paul.
- (2) Joy. Despite the circumstances of his imprisonment, Paul's letter resounds with the theme of joy. Different expressions point to joy at least 16 times in the letter. Paul's joyfulness stemmed largely from the faithfulness of the Philippians, and he wanted the same for them as an antidote to all anxiety (Phil. 4:4-7).
- (3) The Example of Christ's Humility. Philippians focuses much on the humble state of Jesus' incarnation. The majestic "hymn to Christ" (Phil. 2:6-11) offers a model for believers. In his preincarnate state, Christ Jesus was "in very nature God" (Phil. 2:6). Nevertheless, he took the form of a slave and made himself nothing by taking on human nature and subjecting himself to his own creatures. Yet even in this state of humiliation, Christ did not cease being fully divine. See "Jesus Christ, God and Man: How Can a Man Be God?."
- (4) Justification by Grace Through Faith. Against those who enjoined obedience to the Old Testament law as a condition for meriting salvation, Paul stressed that God has willed for his people to be saved by receiving his righteousness rather than by striving to establish their own. Although Paul had been scrupulous in his obedience to the law, he came to realize that his confidence in such obedience was a great sin, for it kept him from trusting God. Paul viewed his former boasting with disgust (Phil. 3:7-8) and embraced Christ alone as his source of confidence (Phil. 3:3, 9).
- (5) The Christian Life. This epistle is filled with instruction on practical Christianity. Just as Christ became a servant, so also the Christian becomes the servant of Christ (Phil. 1:1). Only the person enslaved to Christ is free to love and serve others (Phil. 2:3-5).
Paul highlighted the importance of striving toward the goal of final salvation. Confident in God's calling, the apostle pushed forward toward the heavenly prize (Phil. 3:13-14). Only as Christians work do they realize that God is working in them (Phil. 2:12-13). Human effort is precisely the area in which the power of God is manifested.
Notes from the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible, Dr. Richard Pratt, ed. (Zondervan, 2003).Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr. is Co-Founder and President of Third Millennium Ministries who served as Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary and has authored numerous books.