Philippians Book Background Study

Paul’s 2 nd Missionary Journey Source: http://www.searchgodsword.org/se/pbm/browse.cgi?st=34 Letter went from Rome to Philippi

Geographical Background It is a city inside Macedonia It lay on the Egnatian Road Philippi was an important outpost in this road It is a marshy plain in ancient and even modern times Source: http://www.bibleplaces.com/philippi.htm

It is a city inside Macedonia

It lay on the Egnatian Road

Philippi was an important outpost in this road

It is a marshy plain in ancient and even modern times

Geographical Background Gangitis River – There are no synagogues in Philippi, this is the place where Paul teaches the gospel Source: http://www.bibleplaces.com/philippi.htm

Historical Background It was originaly called Krenides In 356 BC it was occupied by King Philip of Macedonia. He renamed it Philippi. King Philip was the father of Alexander the Great It was occupied so that it can be used to take control of the neighboring gold mines and also to establish a strategic garrison

It was originaly called Krenides

In 356 BC it was occupied by King Philip of Macedonia. He renamed it Philippi.

King Philip was the father of Alexander the Great

It was occupied so that it can be used to take control of the neighboring gold mines and also to establish a strategic garrison

Gold made King Philip wealthy It was then taken by Rome in 167 B.C. When Octavian became emperor and received the title “Augustus” he made it into a Roman colony. Historical Background Sources: Halley’s Bible Handbook (2000 edition) pp. 812 Believer’s Web: http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?ID=814 Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippi

Gold made King Philip wealthy

It was then taken by Rome in 167 B.C.

When Octavian became emperor and received the title “Augustus” he made it into a Roman colony.

Political Background It was autonomous during both the Greek and Roman Empires. Livios.org even says that in the Greek era for example, people were registered as Philippians and not Macedonians.* (so the reference to the “Book of Life” is both spiritual and has socio-political significance as well) They were immune from paying tribute. They had the same rights and were considerd as Roman citizens as if they were living in Italy. Sources: Halley’s Bible Handbook (2000 edition) pp. 812 *Livius.org: http://www.livius.org/phi-php/philippi/philippi.html

It was autonomous during both the Greek and Roman Empires.

Livios.org even says that in the Greek era for example, people were registered as Philippians and not Macedonians.* (so the reference to the “Book of Life” is both spiritual and has socio-political significance as well)

They were immune from paying tribute.

They had the same rights and were considerd as Roman citizens as if they were living in Italy.

Cultural Background Philippians worship Roman gods It was a modern city with stadiums, theaters and other forms of Roman architecture Sources: http://www.wdbydana.com/philippi.htm

Philippians worship Roman gods

It was a modern city with stadiums, theaters and other forms of Roman architecture

Insights Philippi is a place with a rich history and strategic importance. Even though it was a rich city and full of Roman influences, it had a very outstanding Philippian church. It just goes to show that with God nothing is impossible and we can live as upstanding Christian men and women even in the midst of such environment.

Philippi is a place with a rich history and strategic importance.

Even though it was a rich city and full of Roman influences, it had a very outstanding Philippian church.

It just goes to show that with God nothing is impossible and we can live as upstanding Christian men and women even in the midst of such environment.