Introduction to Philippians

Ernst-August Bremicker

Paul’s epistle to the Philippians is addressed to the first assembly in Europe that came into being through the apostle’s labours. It is not only characterised by a very personal and heart-touching style, but first and foremost focuses on our Lord and Saviour. To read it is to be particularly encouraged and motivated to follow the one who once lived on earth and is now glorified in heaven. While we are still here, He is our object, purpose in life and goal.

The epistle has great practical value for us. With limited exceptions Paul does not teach great doctrinal truths in it. He does not write about the eternal counsel of God, our great salvation and position in Christ, or Christ and His assembly. Yet this epistle has a special attraction for Christians, and with good reason: above all the theme that runs through it is the beauty of a Christian life that centres itself on Christ, and nothing but Christ. We learn how to put our Christian position into practice and to live in fellowship with and for Christ.

This lesson is not taught in a theoretical way. Paul places Christ personally before our eyes — Christ as the humble man on earth and Christ as the risen one in heaven. He only speaks about himself inasmuch as he is an imitator of Christ (Phil. 3:17). He had not only preached and taught that Christ is our life (Col. 3:4) but he could also say with conviction, ‘For me to live is Christ’ (Phil. 1:21). Since he had accepted Christ as his Lord on his way to Damascus, his whole life had been characterised by and centred on Christ. So it is that he presents the Christian as a stranger on his way through this world to the pinnacle of glory in heaven.

The author and his circumstances

Not only is Paul’s authorship confirmed at the beginning of the epistle, but there is also more than enough internal and external evidence for it. According to the character of the epistle, there is no need to present himself as an apostle; he simply introduces himself in a humble way as a ‘bondman’ of Jesus Christ and associates Timothy with himself (Phil. 1:1).

His circumstances were — from a human point of view — difficult and painful. He was a prisoner in Rome. On the other hand, this gave him the opportunity to show that nothing could really fill his life apart from Christ. He just wanted to gain Christ and to be found in Him (Phil. 3:8–9). He wanted to forget the things behind and reach out to the things before (3:13).

The recipients and their circumstances

Philippi was a prosperous city in the northern part of Greece (Macedonia). It was founded by King Philip of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great) around 300 BC. Later it became part of the Roman Empire. Unlike other Roman cities, only a small number of Jews lived there. There was no synagogue in Philippi; when Paul wrote his epistle, most of its inhabitants were Roman citizens. Luke gives us some interesting details about Paul’s first visit there (Acts 16:11–40). This was during his second missionary trip when he and his companions came to Europe for the first time and stayed in Philippi. He met with great hostility, but after one night in prison he was released and some of the Philippians accepted Christ as their Saviour. 

Most of the brothers and sisters of the local assembly in Philippi were formerly heathens. Hence there are no quotations from the Old Testament in this epistle. We know Lydia was among them as well as the jailor with his family. Other names we know are found in the epistle (like the two sisters Euodia and Syntyche, and Epaphroditus). Evidently these young believers (young in faith) were of various natures and temperaments. Yet they were united and characterised by at least three things:

a) genuine faith in the Lord Jesus,

b) great zeal for the gospel and love to those who were still lost, and

c) great love and appreciation for the Apostle Paul.

The relationship between Paul and the Philippians 

From the beginning there was a personal and close relationship between Paul and the believers in Philippi, so he does not write as an apostle but as a friend and brother in Christ giving good counsel. The Philippians had heard about Paul’s situation as a prisoner in Rome and, although poor, had sent him a gift (probably financial support). The extent to which their fellowship encouraged him becomes clear when we read Philippians 4:10–20 and 2 Corinthians 8:1–3.

The intimate bond between Paul and the Philippians is evident as we consider expressions like ‘fellowship’ and ‘partakers’ that occur several times in this epistle (e.g. 1:5, 7; 2:1; 4:14).

The material and spiritual reasons for the epistle

When reading the epistle, we recognise at least two main reasons why Paul wrote to his beloved brothers and sisters in Philippi.

The ‘material’ reason was to express his gratitude for the gift that he had received. He refers to this directly in chapter 4, but there are also indirect allusions to it earlier in the letter. We learn from this that the financial or other support of those who labour for the Lord is not an insignificant matter.

The ‘spiritual’ reason was to express concern regarding the Philippians. He had heard that there was some dissension among them. They were not always of the same mind. So, he wanted to help them by writing his epistle. The importance of unity is referred to in each chapter (1:27; 2:2–3; 3:16; 4:2). It is not so much a reproach but more an admonition and a forewarning. He knew that prevention is better than cure.

It goes without saying that these two points apply just as much to every reader of this epistle. It is written for our instruction.

The character of the epistle 

The two reasons mentioned above correlate with two main aspects of the epistle: it is a ‘letter of thankfulness’ and a ‘letter of admonition’. But there is more: 

• Philippians has been called an ‘epistle of Christian experience’. The Christian sees this world as a wilderness. Passing through it with his eye fixed on the goal, he learns that only Christ can fulfil his needs but also does much more than that. The epistle does not speak of our failures and negative experiences in relation to the flesh within. It does not speak of sin but of our experiences with Christ.
• It has also been called an ‘epistle of joy’. This is also true. Although Paul was in adverse circumstances he does not complain or give up. More than once he speaks about his joy and encourages his readers to rejoice in the Lord. The secret of such joy in difficult circumstances is to place Christ between us and the circumstances. If our eyes are fixed on Him, they will not be fixed on our difficulties. This means that we can turn a desert into a wellspring (Ps. 84:6).

In addition, the reader is directed towards the goal. While we pass through this world, living for and in fellowship with Christ, rejoicing in the Lord and His presence, we look forward to what lies before us. We know that the best is yet to come. We ‘pursue, looking towards the goal, for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 3:14). We are awaiting the Lord Jesus, who will change our bodies of humiliation into conformity with His body of glory (vs. 20–21).

The structure of the epistle

There are different ways to divide up the epistle. One is to follow the arrangement of the four chapters in our Bible (bearing in mind that the chapter divisions are not part of the original text).

Chapter 1: Christ as the purpose in our life. This is the great introduction to the epistle. ‘For me to live is Christ, and to die gain’ (v. 21). As this becomes true of us, Christ will characterise our lives —living in us and filling everything. The beauty of the Christian life is to be fully engaged with and totally controlled by Him. Then, we will be good witnesses of Him and tell others about the good news.

Verses 1–2: Greetings

Verses 3–11: Thanksgiving and prayer of Paul

Verses 12–17: Preaching, spreading and defending the gospel

Verses 18–26: Life or death

Verses 27–30: Conduct worthy of the Lord

Chapter 2: Christ as the pattern of our life. This is the first main section. ‘For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus’ (v. 5). As this becomes true, we will follow His steps; we will be humble and obedient as He was. Christ is our very example. If we lived more as He lived, all problems among brethren would vanish away. 

Verses 1–4: The right mind among believers

Verses 5–11: The pattern of Christ — humility and exaltation

Verses 12–16: Appearing as lights in the world

Verses 17–18: The example of Paul

Verses 19–24: The example of Timothy

Verses 25–30: The example of Epaphroditus 

Chapter 3: Christ as the goal of our life. This is the second main section. In order to follow Christ on earth we need our eyes fixed on Him in the glory. ‘Not that I have already obtained the prize, or am already perfected; but I pursue, if also I may get possession of it, seeing that also I have been taken possession of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not count to have got possession myself; but one thing — forgetting the things behind, and stretching out to the things before, I pursue, looking towards the goal, for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus’ (vs. 12–14). As this becomes true, we will count the things of earth as loss. They will lose their attraction. We will then be Christ-oriented believers. 

Verses 1–3: Warning against wrong teachings

Verses 4–7: Paul’s past life

Verses 8–16: Paul’s present life

Verses 17–21: The ‘home country’ of the Christian and his glorious expectation

Chapter 4: Christ the strength of our life. This is the great finale of the epistle. We need spiritual strength, and this has only one source: ‘I have strength for all things in him that gives me power’ (v. 15). As this becomes true, we will become strong and powerful in the Lord though we are weak and feeble in ourselves (comp. 2 Cor. 12:10). Then we can say with the sons of Korah: ‘All my springs are in thee’ (Ps. 87:7). 

Verses 1–9: Seven motivations to live in a devoted way.

Verses 10–20: The gift of the Philippians

Verses 21–23: Concluding words and greetings

It will always be a great blessing to read this epistle. It will help us to make Christ the very object of our life on earth. ‘But to our God and Father be glory to the ages of ages. Amen. … The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen’ (4:20, 23).

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From: Truth and Testimony, 2021