Online Study of Philippians

Online Study of Philippians provides a study of Philippians and a commentary of some of the better known verses in the book of Philippians.

A Brief History of Philippians

The apostle Paul founded the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey in AD 49.

In Acts 16, the Bible tells us that Paul shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with a group of women (Acts 16:13).

Lydia heard the gospel and she became a Christian. Lydia was Paul's first convert in Philippi.

Later a slave girl, who was demon possessed, came to faith in Jesus Christ. This was Paul's second convert.

While Paul was in Philippi, he was thrown into prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, through that experience, a Philippian jailer and his family became Christians.

It seems out of these converts the Philippian Church emerged.

Twelve or so years later, Paul was placed under house arrest in Rome and the Philippian Church sent their pastor, Epaphroditus, to minister to Paul and bring a gift. It would seem that Epaphroditus shared with Paul that there was disunity in church at Philippi.

It seems that there was rivalry between some members and tension between others (2:3-4).

So Paul wrote to them this letter to thank them for their gift and to urge them to live the Christian life in harmony.

1. The Theme of Philippians

The major theme of the Book of Philippians is Living the Christian Life to the Glory of God.

2. The Author of Philippians

Most scholars agree that the author of Philippians is the Apostle Paul (1:1).

3. The Writing of Philippians

Paul was under house arrest in Rome (1:13) when he wrote Philippians. The date would be around AD 61 or 62.

4. The Purpose of Philippians

Paul wrote Philippians to thank them for their love gift and took the opportunity to address some of the problems facing the infant church - rivalry and personal ambitions (2:3-4), the influence of Judaism (4:2) and antinomian tendencies (3:18-19).