Delve Into Luke-Acts & Paul's LettersExemplo

DAY 17 – PHILIPPIANS

On his second journey to bring the good news about Jesus to the people of the Roman Empire, the apostle Paul helped establish a community of Jesus’ followers in the city of Philippi. The people of that community became his friends and supporters for the rest of his life. When they heard he’d been taken to Rome as a prisoner, they collected money to assist him and sent it with one of their members, a man named Epaphroditus, who stayed in Rome to help take care of Paul.

Unfortunately, Epaphroditus became very sick and nearly died. When he recovered, Paul decided to send him back to Philippi because he knew how concerned his friends were for him. Paul sent a letter with Epaphroditus to thank the Philippians for the friendship and support they’d always shown him, and particularly on this occasion. (While there are different ideas about exactly where Paul was at this time, his references in this letter to the “palace guard” and to “Caesar’s household” suggest that he was in Rome. In that case, he would have written this letter during the same period in his life when he wrote Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon.)

Paul also uses the opportunity to offer some challenges and encouragement to the Philippians. He knows that they, like him, are experiencing a lot of opposition. And so he appeals to his own life as an example of how to respond. He also knows that some people in the community of believers are having trouble getting along. He urges them to “strive together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.” Composing or quoting an amazing song of praise right in the middle of his letter, Paul urges the Philippians to have the same servant attitude that Jesus had. Jesus didn’t cling to his high position but humbled himself even to the point of death—all for the sake of others. This is the new way of life in God’s kingdom. Paul reminds the Philippians that they don’t need to be circumcised, as some people are apparently telling them they do. And he warns them that they shouldn’t live like those around them who are controlled by their desires. All of these themes are interwoven throughout the letter, which doesn’t develop systematically the way some of Paul’s other letters do, but rather the letter flows freely, as one friend writes to another.

The dominant note in this letter is joy. Even though Paul is a prisoner and even though he and his friends are experiencing strong opposition, he rejoices. He urges the Philippians to rejoice, too, in the partnership they have in helping others meet Jesus and in the reward they can anticipate when their work is finished.

PRAYER: I will rejoice always, setting my mind on You.