Bible Introductions

Purpose
      The letter serves to say thank you to the church for a gift sent to Paul while in prison. The gift came by Epaphroditus, who, after a serious illness, carried the letter back to the church.

Date and place of writing
      The letter tells us that Paul was in prison, but it doesn't tell us where he was imprisoned. We know that Paul was a prisoner at Philippi, Jerusalem, Caesarea and Rome. Paul mentions that during his ministry he was imprisoned a number of times, 2Cor.6:5, 11:23, 24. There is strong evidence that he spent time in an Ephesian prison, although it is not recorded in Acts. Therefore Philippians may have been written at Caesarea, possibly Ephesus, but more probably Rome. If Rome, then it would be during or after the period recorded in Acts 28, that is, after 60AD. The letter is usually dated 62-63AD.

Unity
      There is some evidence that Paul wrote more than one letter to the Philippians and that both letters are present in our one letter. It is argued that from 3:1b there is a dramatic change in tone indicating the incorporation of a different document. Although the Church Father Polycarp said to the Philippian church that Paul "being absent wrote letters to you", there is little possibility that our letter is a compilation of two letters.

Themes
      This is a personal letter which does not seek to address any particular problem faced by the church. It is above all, a word of appreciation. It rings with joy and gratitude. Although ostensibly a word of appreciation, Paul does touch on some important theological issues: justification, mystical union, the second coming.... Above all it establishes the pre-existence of Christ, and the two states of his being, namely, humiliation and exaltation.