Philippians

 Letter of St. Paul to Philippi  

Title: Letter to the congregation in Philippi – a special city, Roman colony established in 42 BC by the Emperor Octavian. This is one of the most personal letters of St. Paul, where he has no objections to the life of the believers (cp. 1 Cor. 5 and 6, Gal. 3:1). First visit to Philippi is found in Acts 16:11-40, which tells us the story of Paul’s meeting with Lydia (very noble woman), magistrate, and the night shift overseer of the local jail.       

Date of writing: There is no consensus on the date of writing. There are two main possibilities – between second and third missionary trips or during “prison” trip to Rome (or straight from Rome).  

Structure:

a. 1:1-2, Greetings

 b. 1:3-11, Thanksgiving for partnership

  c. 1:12-30, Paul rejoices in his circumstances

   d. 2:1-11, Christ as the goal

    e. 2:12-18, Be an example

     f. 2:19-24, I will send Timothy

     f’. 2:25-30, I might send Epaphroditus

    e’. 3:1-16, Paul as an example

   d’. 3:17 – 4:1, pressing toward the goal

  c’. 4:2-9, Rejoice in the Lord

 b’. 4:10-20, You were faithful partners

a’. 4:21-23, Final greetings

Main themes: Centrality of Christ – reflected in the godly and exemplary life-style (as the lights in the world). The letter also reiterates the righteousness based on faith, not by works (the ideas brought to the congregation by false prophets).  

Main Characters: Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, bishops and deacons of Macedonian district with its capital (leading city) in Philippi. St. Paul also mentions the preachers of Christ that do it for the personal gain (either monetary or social privileges).        

Reflection in other parts of the Bible: 1:27 – oneness of spirit, and oneness of mind with faith should be taken as a parallel passage to Eph. 4:4-6: one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, faith one baptism, one God and Father.

Phil. 2:14-15 – shining as lights in the world. Relates to Mt. 5:14-16 which is based on many OT passages (Gen. 1:14-16; 15:5; Num. 1:36-37; Is. 2:2-3; Dan. 12:3).  

3:2-3 – based on a proper understanding of mutilation of the flesh (Deut. 23:1) and institution of circumcision (Gen 17). Also, circumcision as a background for the theology of baptism in Col. 2:11-12.

4:6-8 – apparently the idea of anxiety was an important topic for the Ancient World. Jesus picks it up in His interactions with Martha and Mary, where Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, while Martha is anxious. Therefore, St. Paul develops it into three-part structure of the Divine service as a “tool” against anxiety. 

Lutheran teaching: The teaching on the God’s foreknowledge, election, and predestination are partially based on Phil. 1:6 (quoted 3 times in the same article – FC, SD XI:21, 32, 42). God will make sure the completion of the good work that He began in them.  

At the same time 1:9 (FC, SD II:15) and 2:13 is an important Biblical passage for the understanding of the role of the human will (FC, SD II:14, 26, 39, 52). Out Lutheran forefathers stated that God used the means of grace not only to convert people, but also to work in them to will and to do.      

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 667 – Saints, See the Cloud of Witnesses (Phil. 3:12-14)

LSB 745 – In God, My Faithful God (Phil. 1:21)

Relevancy of the Book: There are three benefits from reading the Letter. First, we see a personal side of the Apostle – the warmth and joy he expresses toward the members of Philippians. Second, he brings them a very deep Christology as a basis for their lives: their faith and conduct. Third, based on this Christology he shows an example and encourages them to lead the life of piety and godliness. This can and should be expressed in the mind which will make the decisions of life based on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellency, worthy of praise (4:8).       

Memory verses:

4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.