Philippians, Epistle to: 1. Was written by Paul during the two years when he was "in bonds" in
Rome
(Philippians 1:7-13) probably early in the year A.D. 62 or in the
end of 61 The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger,
with contributions to meet the necessities of the apostle; and on
his return Paul sent back with him this letter. With this precious
communication Epaphroditus sets out on his homeward journey. "The
joy caused by his return, and the effect of this wonderful letter
when first read in the church of Philippi, are hidden from us. And
we may almost say that with this letter the church itself passes
from our view. To-day, in silent meadows, quiet cattle browse among
the ruins which mark the site of what was once the flourishing
Roman colony of Philippi, the home of the most attractive church of
the apostolic age. But the name and fame and spiritual influence
of that church will never pass. To myriads of men and women in
every age and nation the letter written in a dungeon at Rome, and
carried along the Egnatian Way by an obscure Christian messenger,
has been a light divine and a cheerful guide along the most rugged
paths of life" (Professor Beet).2. The church at Philippi was the first-fruits of European
Christianity. Their attachment to the apostle was very fervent,
and so also was his affection for them. They alone of all the
churches helped him by their contributions, which he gratefully
acknowledges
(Acts 20:33-35; 2 Corinthians 11:7-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:8) The pecuniary
liberality of the Philippians comes out very conspicuously
(Philippians 4:15) "This was a characteristic of the Macedonian missions,
as
(2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15) amply and beautifully prove. It is remarkable
that the Macedonian converts were, as a class, very poor
(2 Corinthians 8:2)
and the parallel facts, their poverty and their open-handed support
of the great missionary and his work, are deeply harmonious. At the
present day the missionary liberality of poor Christians is, in
proportion, really greater than that of the rich" (Moule's
Philippians, Introd.).
3. The contents of this epistle give an interesting insight into the
condition of the church at Rome at the time it was written. Paul's
imprisonment, we are informed, was no hindrance to his preaching
the gospel, but rather "turned out to the furtherance of the
gospel." The gospel spread very extensively among the Roman
soldiers, with whom he was in constant contact, and the Christians
grew into a "vast multitude." It is plain that Christianity was at
this time making rapid advancement in Rome.
4. The doctrinal statements of this epistle bear a close relation to
those of the Epistle to the Romans. Compare also
(Philippians 3:20)
(Ephesians 2:12,19) where the church is presented under the idea of a
city or commonwealth for the first time in Paul's writings. The
personal glory of Christ is also set forth in almost parallel forms
of expression in
(Philippians 2:5-11) compared with
(Ephesians 1:17-23; 2:8)
(Colossians 1:15-20) "This exposition of the grace and wonder of His
personal majesty, personal self-abasement, and personal exaltation
after it," found in these epistles, "is, in a great measure, a new
development in the revelations given through St. Paul" (Moule).
Other minuter analogies in forms of expression and of thought are
also found in these epistles of the Captivity.
