Bible History
Picture Study Bible with Maps and Background Information
Php 1:1-30. INSCRIPTION. THANKSGIVING AND PRAYERS FOR THE FLOURISHING SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE PHILIPPIANS. HIS OWN STATE AT ROME, AND THE RESULT OF HIS IMPRISONMENT IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL. EXHORTATION TO CHRISTIAN CONSISTENCY.
1. Timotheus--mentioned as being well known to the Philippians
(Ac 16:3, 10-12),
and now present with Paul. Not that Timothy had any share in writing
the Epistle; for Paul presently uses the first person singular, "I,"
not "we"
(Php 1:3).
The mention of his name implies merely that Timothy joined in
affectionate remembrances to them.
servants of Jesus Christ--The oldest manuscripts read the order,
"Christ Jesus." Paul does not call himself "an apostle," as in the
inscriptions of other Epistles; for the Philippians needed not to be
reminded of his apostolic authority. He writes rather in a tone of
affectionate familiarity.
all--so
Php 1:4, 7, 8, 25;
Php 2:17, 26.
It implies comprehensive affection which desired not to forget any one
among them "all."
bishops--synonymous with "presbyters" in the apostolical churches;
as appears from the same persons being called "elders of the Church" at
Ephesus
(Ac 20:17),
and "overseers"
(Ac 20:28),
Greek, "bishops." And
Tit 1:5,
compare with
Php 1:7.
This is the earliest letter of Paul where bishops and deacons are
mentioned, and the only one where they are separately addressed in the
salutation. This accords with the probable course of events, deduced
alike from the letters and history. While the apostles were constantly
visiting the churches in person or by messengers, regular pastors would
be less needed; but when some were removed by various causes, provision
for the permanent order of the churches would be needed. Hence the
three pastoral letters, subsequent to this Epistle, give instruction as
to the due appointment of bishops and deacons. It agrees with this new
want of the Church, when other apostles were dead or far away, and Paul
long in prison, that bishops and deacons should be prominent for the
first time in the opening salutation. The Spirit thus intimated that
the churches were to look up to their own pastors, now that the
miraculous gifts were passing into God's ordinary providence, and the
presence of the inspired apostles, the dispensers of those gifts, was
to be withdrawn [PALEY, "Horæ
Paulinæ]. "Presbyter," implied the rank; "bishop,"
the duties of the office [NEANDER].
Naturally, when the apostles who had the chief supervision were no
more, one among the presbyters presided and received the name "bishop,"
in the more restricted and modern sense; just as in the Jewish
synagogue one of the elders presided as "ruler of the synagogue."
Observe, the apostle addresses the Church (that is, the congregation)
more directly than its presiding ministers
(Col 4:17;
1Th 5:12;
Heb 13:24;
Re 1:4, 11).
The bishops managed more the internal, the deacons the external,
affairs of the Church. The plural number shows there was more than one
bishop or presbyter, and more than one deacon in the Church at
Philippi.
JFB.
The Book of Philippians
Philippians 1:21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians in The New Testament - A Brief Overview
Painting of Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt - 1657
Introduction to The Book of Philippians
Brief Summary. Paul had been imprisoned at Rome sends the church at Philippi a love letter of thanks, commending them for their liberal giving. His attitude shows all Christians to rejoice in every situation even suffering, for Jesus Christ is our example and our prize.
Summary of The Book of PhilippiansPurpose. One of the obvious reasons that Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians was to thank them for their generous offering. He also wanted to commend the unselfishness of Epaphroditus, as well as informing them of his love for them, and his own personal condition. He wanted to make them aware that Timothy would soon be visiting them, and that Epaphroditus would be returning to them (Philippians 2:19-20). Paul also warned them that they would be suffering for the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:29, 30), and that they should be aware and guarded against false doctrines creeping into the church (Philippians 3:1 ff). Paul's joy, and love for them clearly shows through in this letter.
Philippi. The city of Philippi was a Roman colony and the chief city of Macedonia (Acts 16:12). Philippi was originally named after Philip of Macedon. the people that live there were Roman citizens, receiving all the favor of Rome. There were very few Jews in Philippi, and no synagogue with a "place for prayer" by the river (Acts 16). Paul established the church in Philippi while he was on his second missionary journey, just after he had been in Troas and received the "Macedonian call" (Acts 16). The Church of Philippi was the first church to be established in Europe, and it had a reputation of being very generous in their support of Paul's work (2 Corinthians 8; Philippians 4:15-19). a half-century later Polycarp commended the church in Philippi for their devotion.
Authorship. Paul was the author of Philippians, he names himself and his style and personality shows through.
Date. Philippians was written from Rome during Paul's first imprisonment, about 62 AD.
Outline of the Book of Philippians
Jesus Christ is Our Life - Chapter 1
Jesus Christ is Our Example - Chapters 2
Jesus Christ is Our Prize - Chapter 3
Jesus Christ is Our Peace - Chapter 4
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus"
would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or
consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A).
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means
"The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".
Philippians Maps and Resources
Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)
Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within
Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New
Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia
including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like
Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)