This summary of the book of philippians will help with many different forms of bible study. This series of 8 studies will allow you to cover the entirety of the book of philippians. The book of philippians is a powerful letter of encouragement. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. He then shares several key things on how to do this. Paul had been imprisoned at rome sends the church at philippi a love letter of thanks, commending them for their liberal giving.
Unfulfilled prophecy basic eschatology prophetic schools of interpretation basic eschatology concluding comments. He is the author or editor of more than forty books and is one of the leaders of the gospel coalition. The traditional date for the writing of philippians is during pauls first roman imprisonment ad 6062. 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. Perhaps, like a worn coin, it may be losing its true impression. Below is a compilation of resources relating to the book of philippians. A primary feature of the gospelas set forth in philippians is that it demands the shared participation of all believers. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. Rather, it sets out to describe some of its practical implications. Philippi was especially important to paul since it was the first church he founded in europe see acts 16. Cph new testament commentary will convey the meaning of the verses in the book of philippians. Throughout this letter, paul is encouraging the people of philippi to. His attitude shows all christians to rejoice in every situation even suffering, for jesus christ is our example and our prize. They are ephesians, philippians, colossians, and the little epistle to philemon.
The most natural understanding of the references to the praetorian guard 1. This excerpt from the spurgeon study bible gives an overview look of the book of philippians. Philippians is unified by its joyful, almost exuberant mood the words for joy or rejoice occur more than a dozen times. His coworkers traveling with him were timothy, silas, and luke. Philippians is written to a group of believers with whom paul founded a church, during his second missionary journey in approximately ad 49 acts 16. The book of philippians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. The general consensus is that these epistles were written during pauls imprisonment at rome cf.
Introduction to philippians church of jesus christ. Aug 04, 20 the book of philippians is one of pauls most encouraging letters. 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. Dec 21, 2018 the book of james volume is written in a style that is easy to understand.
Paul sent the other three prison epistlesephesians, colossians, and philemonby the hand of tychicus, as their destinations were near one another. Paul commends the philippians for their earnest work in spreading the word of god. Philippians follows many of the same conventions as the other pauline epistles. Epistle to the philippians read bible book and verses online. This was pauls first efforts to preach on the european continent. The church at philippi had been founded on pauls second missionary journey in around 52 ad.
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. Paul and timothy are named as the authors in philippians 1. Summary of the book of philippians story of the bible. Books about the bible can be helpful, but we encourage everyone to spend the majority of their time becoming familiar with the bible text itself. An introduction to the book of philippians the apostle paul wrote the letter to the philippians while he was in prison around ad 62. It was written to christians in the roman colony of philippi. Approximately ad 6062, during pauls first roman imprisonment.
There were very few jews in philippi, and no synagogue with a place for prayer by the river acts 16. In his epistle to the philippians, the apostle paul gave the saints in philippi encouragement and exhorted them to stand fast in unity and work together to defend the faith. While most hold to the authenticity of philippians, there are portions of the letter that some consider to be nonpauline. Jun, 2014 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. Book of philippians is a letter from paul and timothy to christians in the city of philippi. The lords coming is drawing near, and his presence is with us.
The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and timothy is named with him as coauthor or cosender. Paul knew, as did the philippians, that true joy comes only through humble faith in the saving work of jesus christ, joining ourselves in harmony with his followers. What is the purpose of doing an overview of philippians. Book of philippians introduction and summary learn religions. The book of philippians is a prison epist le letter written while in prison. Best philippians commentaries updated for 2021 best. If rome, the date of writing was probably around 62 a.
Christ left his glory to dwell as a human in humility and treated others with their best interests in mind. The letter to the philippians is a warm letter of gratitude and joy from paul, a weary prisoner for christ who is grateful for the support he had received from the philippian believers. It may sound like a huge commitment to read through a book of the bible ten times, but for a 15 minute book like james, this only takes about 2. An introduction to the book of philippians christopher l. Paul prays for the church to grow in knowledge and depth of insight so we will be filled with the fruit of righteousness. Paul encourages the philippians to live as citizens of a heavenly city, growing in their commitment to serve god and one another. The book of philippians was written in approximately a. What are some of the most memorable aspects of visiting with them. Paul is traditionally considered the primary author audience. Paul wrote four epistles when he was in prison, and we have labeled them prison epistles. The city was named after philip ii, the father of alexander the great. What did paul encourage the philippians to do in the face of the persecution they were experiencing 1. This is really helpful to read through, to get the big picture before going to more in depth commentaries.
A roman colony, philippi was situated in macedonia, or currentday northern greece. This series focuses on joy amid all circumstances through savoring christ above all things. The epistle to the philippians, one of pauls prison epistles, was written in rome. The letter is addressed to the christian church in philippi. As part of the joy project, we are going through the book of philippians as a church in our sermon series philippians unchained. Building on the basics joy in the midst of difficulty 1. The best philippians commentaries are listed below.
Of the four prison epistles, paul likely wrote philippians last, near the end of his roman imprisonment in ad 61 or 62. Landscape of the book of philippians under house arrest as a prisoner in rome, yet full of joy and thankfulness, paul wrote to encourage his fellow servants living in philippi. Carson phd, university of cambridge is research professor of new testament at trinity evangelical divinity school in deerfield, illinois. The book of philippians can be summarized in the word encouragement. It was written to show his appreciation and love to the philippians in a thankyou letter for their continued help and support, and also to. Today philippians would be called a missionary support letter. The book of philippians undertakes by no means to define what the gospel is. The city of philippi was a roman colony and the chief city of macedonia acts 16. Aug 29, 20 summary of the book of philippians the book of philippians is a powerful letter of encouragement. Most commentaries are in depth and run through issues and topics deeply. They key personalities are the apostle paul, timothy, epaphroditus, euodia, and syntyche.
Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. The book of philippians jesus our joy lesson one phil. The epistle of paul to the philippians is one of the prison epistles. What events recorded in acts 16 do you see coloring pauls relationship with them as you read through. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand.
Philippi was the site of a key military victory by augustus caesar, and as a result it was made a roman colony. The theme and structure of philippians gordon college. Da carsons book is really helpful because he simply lays out the general themes and movements of the book. They should live with tenderness and compassion for others which is a result produced by the holy spirit. Read the book of philippians from the bible with full chapters, summary and outline, bible commentary, and our favorite verses to help you study and understand. Paul also speaks against those who preached out of personal ambition philippians 2. Watch our overview video on the book of philippians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The city was already ancient by the time paul arrived there around 49 ce acts 16.
Mar 07, 20 the book of philippians can be summarized in the word encouragement. In fact, its beginnings go back to the fourth century bce when it was occupied by the thracians. The epistle to philippians was written by paul during the two years when he was in bonds in rome philippians 1. Paul, timothy, silas and perhaps luke first visited philippi in greece during pauls second.
Paul wrote his letter to the philippians while in prison, probably in rome. 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. The traditional view is that philippians, along with the other prison epistles ephesians, colossians, philemon, was written during pauls first imprisonment at rome ca. Philippi was a roman colony that was inhabited by the veteran of the roman army and there were christians that worked together with paul in his ministry. Even now, prayerfully ponder the last few verses from the first chapter, which aptly summarize pauls aims and themes in philippians. The epistle of paul to the philippians was written to the believers in europe in the city of philippi.
Philippians, a study of camp hill church of christ. Joy in the christian life is all about perspective. The book of philippians is known as the prison letter and was written around 62 ad whilst paul was imprisoned in rome. Paul wrote this letter while in prison to the church to also tell them how he was doing. The focus of the book of philippians is the proper christian attitude during times of suffering. Oct 21, 2019 the book of philippians is a letter that paul wrote to the church in philippi and specifically addressing the saints, overseers and the deacons. In philippians, paul displays jesus as the supreme example for every believer in that he was in unity as one with the father.
Our effort herein is to make it easier to read and understand, while also accurately communicating truth. Pauline epistles, also one of four prison epistles, 11th book of the new testament. Circumstances of writing paul the apostle wrote this short letter, a fact that no scholar seriously questions. This list of commentaries is intended to help the reader understand and apply pauls message in the book of philemon. Philippians complete bible book chapters and summary new. Paul, timothy, and epaphroditus try to be good examples as well. The verb rejoice is found 11 times in this book, more than any other book except luke. Best philippians commentaries updated for 2021 best bible. Philippians overview read more this series of eight studies covers the entire book of philippians. The salutation, thanksgiving, prayer, body, paraenesis series of moral exhortations, greeting, and benediction are all readily identifiable.
Introduction pauls introductory greeting paul is grateful to god for the congregations faithfulness paul prays that the philippians love abound with knowledge and discernment b. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Philippi was the first city in presentday europe where paul established a church. Perhaps one of the most important principles paul taught in philippians is that praying to god and trusting in him brings the peace of god, which. The book of philippians 4 failing to give roman citizens a proper trial 16. Pauls present situation and prospects for the future pauls prison bonds encourage others to speak fearlessly whether the preaching is done with a pure motive or out of contentiousness, christ. Philippians was among the last letters paul penned, having written it from roman custody sometime around 61 ad. Jun 25, 2019 landscape of the book of philippians under house arrest as a prisoner in rome, yet full of joy and thankfulness, paul wrote to encourage his fellow servants living in philippi. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote philippians around 6163 a. Philippi was originally named after philip of macedon. Philippians is one of pauls four prison epistles phl 1.
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