Epistle to the Philippians

The apostle Paul, accompanied by Timothy, writes an epistle to the church located in Philippi. ¹

Historical Background

The background addresses both a critical history of the text and a descriptive history in the text.

Critical

The history of the text, along with questions of authorship, and both internal and external evidence, contribute to the historical-critical consensus.

Paul is unequivocally the author of the book. His divine calling was to present the gospel to monarchs and those in positions of power, and to endure great suffering. It has been a theologically productive period for Paul; he has articulated the doctrine of the church, focusing on Christ as the Head and sovereign over culture in Colossians, and on the ‘mystery’ in Ephesians that unites Jews and Gentiles as one entity ‘in Christ’. The emphases of Paul’s epistles can be categorized into three groups: the Travel Epistles emphasize the purity of the gospel message; the Prison Epistles delve into the essence of the church; and the Pastoral Epistles address the governance of the church. In Rome, Paul is far from isolated; he stands at the heart of Christian communication, receiving news through letters and the extensive network of the capital’s large church.

Recipients: Since c. CE 49, one church has been meeting in Philippi, with around 100 people meeting in four or five villas. The typical demographic would be: 20% farmers; 20% merchants; 20% slaves; and only 3% elite.

Origin: The fourth of the four epistles written from Rome. Any other provenance, he could have appealed to Caesar and gone to Rome. 700 miles by road; transportation well-developed.

Date: 60-62 CE: near end of Paul’s first Roman imprisonment; his release is near.

Occasion: A large gift of support from Philippi had arrived with Epaphroditus. Paul writes to thank them for the gift, to explain how the situation was working and why he was sending Epaphroditus back (i.e., why his travel plans had changed).

Descriptive

History in the text; illustrative, not polemic, of the ‘world of the text’

Political: As to the question of time (political affairs, government institutions, and military events), Nero has been ruler since 54 CE; mother Agrippina ruled at first, when he began at 17; had her murdered in 59. Had become involved with legal issues, but now has lost interest, gone to Greece (perhaps why Paul’s case was dismissed or postponed; occasioned his release). In 62 Seneca resigned as Consul: Nero was too preoccupied with amusements; wanted to be a charioteer. Cf. Nero’s household and the Praetorian guard: Each was impacted by Paul. Cf. the BcR timeline, recalling that our focus is on establishing a floating rather than an absolute chronology.

Geographical: As to the question of place (topography, climate, and other environmental questions), note the 700 miles to travel from Philippi to Rome via Egnatia and via Appia (Appian Way). Philippi has been a military colony for 100 years. A mini-Rome; Jewish impact so minimal, lacked a synagogue (cf. Acts). Cf. also the BcR map.

Cultural: As to the question of being (intellectual, religious, social, economic, demographic, technological development, etc.), [ToDO].

Significance: In the face of suffering (like Paul’s), ‘relax … we’re called to this.’ As we read, note that 1.27-30 is the heart of the letter. ‘Progress’-oriented. ‘Stand firm,’ striving for the ‘advance’ of the gospel. “Joy and rejoice”: words of mental reflection and effort. Exemplified by Christ, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and Paul (v. false, ch. 3). Cf. Christological ‘hymn’ in ch. 2.

Literary Foreground

Reading the Bible as literature.

Purpose: Paul desires to inform the church about the progress of the gospel in his imprisonment, to reassure them concerning their fears for his life and ongoing imprisonment and to instill hope in them that he will see them again, encouraging them to stand firm in the meantime, reminding them of the central role of suffering in the Christian life. Paul wants the Philippian church to follow Christ’s (and his) example of suffering as a servant of the gospel. He also desires to find out how they are doing by sending Timothy and send Epaphroditus, informing them of his health. Writing a second letter (3.1)? He warns them of, and alludes to, false teachers throughout. At the end of the letter he thanks them for their gift.

Genre: As to the book’s outer form (literary type and its characteristics), the book’s primary genre is epistolary. Note also the embedded genres, e.g., the Christological ‘hymn’.

Rhetoric: As to the book’s inner form (the book’s rhetorical structure, stylistic techniques, aesthetic qualities), note the poetry, repetition (2.1, 3.2), proverbial statements (2.3-4), and contrasting statements.

Atmosphere: Philippians is one of the warmest of Paul’s epistles. The church was a joy to him.

Composition: Structure of Philippians

1. Suggested reading for a survey: Carson & Moo, Introduction, pp. 498-515, “Philippians.” Guthrie, Introduction, pp. 541-563, “Epistle to the Philippians.” McRay, Archaeology, pp. 283-88, “Macedonian Cities … : Philippi.” Simmons, Peoples, as necessary. ↩︎