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.
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