The document provides background information on the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. It was written by Paul around 60-62 AD from prison in Rome to express gratitude for gifts from the church in Philippi. The letter focuses on Paul's circumstances in prison, having the mind of Christ, knowledge of Christ, and finding peace in Christ. Prominent themes are joy and rejoicing in fellowship, afflictions, ministry, faithfulness, and unity through Christ.

1. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
PHILIPPIANS
The letter contains 4 chapters and 104 verses.
2 chapters a day will finish the letter in 2 days.
The Church at Philippi
The Church at Philippi in Macedonia was planted by the Apostle
Paul about 53
(Act 16:9-40, And a vision appeared to Paul in the night;
There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying,
Come over into Macedonia, and help us. ....cont.);

2. and it appears he visited them again, ad 60, though no
particulars are recorded concerning that visit
(Act 20:6, And we sailed away from Philippi after the days
of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five
days; where we abode seven days.).
The Philippians were greatly attached to Paul, and showed their
affection by sending him supplies, even when labouring for
other churches
(Phi 4:15-16, Now ye Philippians know also, that in the
beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia,
no church communicated with me as concerning giving and
receiving, but ye only. ....cont.,
2Co 11:9, And when I was present with you, and wanted, I
was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to
me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and
in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome
unto you, and so will I keep myself.);
and when they heard that he was under confinement at Rome,
they sent Epaphroditus, one of their pastors, to him with a
present, lest he should want necessaries during his imprisonment
(Phi 2:25, Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you
Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and
fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to
my wants.;

3. Phi 4:10, But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the
last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were
also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.,
Phi 4:14-18, Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye
did communicate with my affliction. ....cont.).
The more immediate occasion of the Epistle was the return of
Epaphroditus, by whom the apostle sent this letter as a grateful
acknowledgment of their kindness.
DATE
The traditional view has been that Paul wrote Philippians at the
same time as Ephesians between A.D. 61 and 63 from
imprisonment in Rome.
Occasion
The references to the palace guard (Phil 1:13) and Caesar’s
household (Phil 4:22) fit with Paul’s Roman imprisonment.
In addition, Paul’s statements in Phil 1:12–20 and Phil 4:22
strongly suggest that the imprisonment was fairly long. Thus, this
letter appears to have been written sometime after the beginning
of Paul’s imprisonment recorded in Acts 28.
Phil 4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of
Caesar's household.

4. Phil 1:12-20 12 But I would ye should understand,
brethren, that the things which happened unto me have
fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the
palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren
in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more
bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and
some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely,
supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the
defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in
pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do
rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through
your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in
nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as
always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body,
whether it be by life, or by death.
Purpose
The purpose of the letter was to espress gratitude for the their gift
(4:15-19).

5. The Philippians expressed their gratitude to Paul for his
spiritual instruction through a special gift. The Lord God
views this gratitude as a sweet sacrifice to God (Heb 13:15-
16).
Heb 13:15-16 15 By him therefore let us offer the
sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit
of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do
good and to communicate forget not: for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.
PHILIPPIANS focuses on:
Paul’s account of his present circumstances (ch. 1),
Paul’s appeal to have the mind of Christ (ch. 2),
to have the knowledge of Christ (ch. 3),
and to have the peace of Christ (ch. 4).
Prominentin Philippians
is the theme of joy (6 times).
Phil 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all
making request with joy,
Phil 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall
abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and
joy of faith;

6. Phil 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having
the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Phil 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and
service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Phil 2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice
with me.
Phil 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and
longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my
dearly beloved.
The verb “rejoice”occurs 9 times.
Christians are to rejoice in:
 fellowship with one another (1:3-11),
 afflictions of the gospel (1:12-30);
 the ministry for saints (2:1-18),
 faithfulness of ministers (2:19-30; 3:1);
 the Lord and not in Judaism or in the flesh (3:1-21);
 in unity (4:1-3),
 and always in all things (4:4-23).

7. Phil 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way,
whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I
therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Phil 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may
rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain,
neither laboured in vain.
Phil 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and
service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Phil 2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice
with me.
Phil 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that,
when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be
the less sorrowful.
Phil 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write
the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but
for you it is safe.
Phil 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God
in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no
confidence in the flesh.

8. Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say,
Rejoice.
Phil 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at
the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye
were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
The key-verse Phi 1:21
Phil 1:21
21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Phil 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,
which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of
God.
Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh
the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or
else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast
in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith
of the gospel;
Phil 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,
not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

9. Phil 4:6-7 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phil 4:12-13 12 I know both how to be abased, and I
know how to abound: every where and in all things I am
instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.