Philippians was among the last letters paul penned, having written it from roman custody sometime around 61 ad. Paul and timothy first visited philippi in greece during pauls second missionary trip, which happened. Swift among exegetes, philippians has been sort of a rubiks cube of the pauline literature. The book of philippians is one of pauls most personal letters, written to the church in philippi. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. It was at philippi, which the apostle visited on his second.
What is the purpose of the book of philippians answers. Popular philippians books meet your next favorite book. What events recorded in acts 16 do you see coloring pauls relationship with them as you read through. It was written to show his appreciation and love to the philippians in a thankyou letter for their. The joy of the christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of philippians. Philippians, introduction and outlines the bible teaching. Most popular philippians bible verses bible study tools. This 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.
The epistle to the philippians, one of pauls prison epistles. The book of philippians chapter one workbook eeonline biblestudy. Why paul wrote the letter to the philippians zondervan academic. The epistle to the philippians executable outlines. The church at philippi had sent a gift to paul in rome by the hand of epaphroditus phl 4. The apostle paul wrote the letter to express his gratitude and affection for the philippian church, his strongest supporters in ministry. Yes, and i ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with. 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. Why paul wrote the letter to the philippians zondervan. Philippians was written as a personal letter to the christians at philippi to express joy and encouragement in the face of suffering as it conveys to them pauls circumstances at the time of writing. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. A primary feature of the gospelas set forth in philippiansis that it demands the shared participation of all believers.
This summary of the book of philippians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of philippians. 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. Philippi was the place of the first christian community settled in europe. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see 1. We must know the grace of god before we can experience the peace of god. Book of philippians introduction purpose interpersonal relationship problems is an expository sermon on philippians 1. Summary of the book of philippians story of the bible. To lead the philippians to this truth, paul took them directly to jesus, teaching them that a community of believers living in harmony with one another comes only through mutual humility modeled after the savior. Paul s house arrest in rome is recorded in acts 28. The apostle paul wrote his letter to the philippians to thank them. He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of christ jesus philippians 1.
The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy, and is addressed to the christian church in philippi. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. He also wanted to commend the unselfishness of epaphroditus, as well as informing them of his love for them, and his own personal condition. Book of philippians is a letter from paul and timothy to christians in the city of philippi. Paul encourages the philippians to live as citizens of a heavenly city, growing in their commitment to serve god and one another. 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. I plead with euodia and i plead with syntyche to be of the same mind in the lord.
Philippians was written as a personal letter to the christians at philippi to express joy and encouragement in the face of suffering as it conveys to them. The book of philippians is a book that is meant to give you joy. One of the obvious reasons that paul wrote his letter to the philippians was to thank them for their generous offering. Epaphroditus also went above and beyond to help paul with his work. What is the purpose of doing an overview of philippians. No matter how much you prepare, theres always a chance that someone will ask a question you cant answer, or that the discussion will go in an unforeseen direction. The verb rejoice is found 11 times in this book, more than any other book except luke. Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness. You all is not only a good southern idiom, but it includes all the saints in philippi none are left out. 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 undertakes by no means to define what the gospel is. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on pauls letter to the philippians. But the portrait of jesus christ as a humble servant.
Philippians 2 new international version niv imitating christs humility. 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. Additionally, the philippian church supported paul when he was imprisoned before acts 16. Overview of the book of philippians reformed answers to. You can find many pieces of encouragement throughout the book of philippians. The theme and structure of philippians gordon college. By understanding and devoting ourselves to gods calling and purpose for our lives, we are able to live above the worlds reach and like the apostle please our lord, strengthen our brethren, witness to the lost and find personal fulfillment as christ carries out his purposes. The epistle to the philippians, one of paul s prison epistles, was written in rome. The epistle to the philippians, one of pauls prison epistles, was written in rome.
Apr 10, 2018 the book of philippians niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 50 duration. In fact, as we read the letter, several objectives seem to be in the mind of the apostle. The gospel of christ will go forward, even in the face of persecution. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible society. Philippians 1 focused on the importance of perspective. The book of philippians was written in approximately a. How to use this study guide a note to group leaders every group meeting is an improvisation. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle and a coauthor named timothy, and is addressed to the christian. The epistle to the philippians chapter one objectives in studying this chapter 1 to appreciate why the philippians were a source of great joy to paul 2 to learn from pauls attitude concerning persecution, death, and the purpose of life summary paul begins his epistle with his customary salutation followed by an expression of thanksgiving and. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. In fact, its beginnings go back to the fourth century bce when it was. Within their own ranks, fellow workers in the philippian church are at odds, hindering the work in. First, it is clear that paul wanted the church to know how things were going for him in his imprisonment 1.
Philippians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of philippians for bible study or sunday school lessons. The book of philippians free online bible study lessons. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote philippians around 6163 a. They had sent him a financial gift through a man named epaphroditus. Philippians 2 niv imitating christs humility bible. Many times it has been twisted, turned, and rearranged as scholars have attempted to make the best sense they could of it. During pauls first visit to philippi paul and silas. The city was already ancient by the time paul arrived there around 49 ce acts 16. 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 does not appear to be written to address any problem, but simply as an expression of pauls love and concern for the church. A christians life, lived for christ, may be hard or easy, but all things can give god glory. However, he makes use of this occasion to fulfill several other desires. Paul and timothy first visited philippi in greece during pauls second missionary trip, which happened between roughly 49 and 51 ad. What are some of the most memorable aspects of visit with them. There is no need to assume up front that there must have been only one purpose in the writing of philippians. Even now, prayerfully ponder the last few verses from the first chapter, which aptly summarize pauls aims and themes in philippians. Intro to philippians biblica the international bible. Pauls primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the philippians for the gift they had sent him upon learning of his detention at rome 1. The epistle of paul to the philippians, usually indicated only as philippians, is the eleventh book in the new testament. State the purpose of the book of philippians introduction while paul was under house arrest in rome, it was the church at philippi that faithfully and generously continued to financially support him. Philippians 2 niv imitating christs humility bible gateway.
Nov 18, 2015 paul is the author of the book of 1st thessalonians as he begins paul, silvanus, and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ 1. Paul uses this occasion not only to thank them, but to comfort them concerning his situation as a prisoner for jesus christ phl 1. By understanding and devoting ourselves to gods calling and purpose for our lives, we are able to live above the worlds reach and like the apostle please our lord, strengthen our brethren, witness to the lost and find personal fulfillment as christ carries out his purposes through. Watch our overview video on the book of philippians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. He wanted to thank this church for their gift of love. Luke described the city called philippi as a roman colony acts 16. The words joy and rejoice are used 16 times in the epistle.
The book of philippians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Even when things go wrong, you can have joy by warren w. Epaphroditus also went above and beyond to help paul with his work philippians 2. The book of philippians niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 50 duration. Rather, it sets out to describe some of its practical implications. What is the purpose of the book of 1st thessalonians. With christ as your model of humility and service, you can enjoy a oneness of purpose, attitude, goal and labor a truth which paul illustrates from his own life, and one the philippians desperately need to hear. Paul prays for the philippian believers with joy chara because of their partnership with him in the gospel. This commentary has been through advanced checking. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. The epistle to the philippians, commonly referred to as philippians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. His willingness to obey god the father, even being crucified, is the ultimate example of humble service. Chapter 2 frames this concept through the humility shown by jesus christ.
Paul is the author of the book of 1st thessalonians as he begins paul, silvanus, and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ 1. They key personalities are the apostle paul, timothy, epaphroditus, euodia, and syntyche. It was at philippi, which the apostle visited on his second missionary journey acts 16. The city of philippi, as one can see from the map, is located in north eastern greece macedonia.
This book was written by the imprisoned paul in rome to thank the philippian church for its generosity and to present jesus christ as lifes purpose 1. Book of philippians, two outlines living beyond the worlds reach philippians outline by paul j. Jun 25, 2019 the joy of the christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of philippians. Dominant themes of the epistle to the philippians word. Closing appeal for steadfastness and unity therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom i love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the lord in this way, dear friends. What was pauls purpose in writing the book of philippians. Paul, timothy, and epaphroditus try to be good examples as well. Philippians 4 new international version niv closing appeal for steadfastness and unity.
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