Bible Overview Philippians
Mike Ervin
The Book of Philippians – A Concise but Comprehensive
Presentation
1. Authorship
Traditional Perspective: Philippians is traditionally attributed to the Apostle
Paul. The early church unanimously affirmed Pauline authorship, and the letter
itself explicitly names Paul as the author (Philippians 1:1).
Modern Scholarly Perspective: Most modern scholars also accept Paul’s
authorship, as the letter exhibits Pauline language, theology, and personal
references consistent with his other undisputed letters (e.g., Romans,
Galatians). Some scholars debate specific stylistic elements but generally
recognize it as authentically Pauline.
2. Date of Authorship
Traditional Perspective: Philippians was written while Paul was in prison,
typically associated with his Roman imprisonment (c. 60–62 AD).
Modern Scholarly Perspective: While many scholars agree with a Roman
imprisonment date, some suggest earlier possibilities, such as imprisonment in
Ephesus (c. 53–55 AD) or Caesarea (c. 57–59 AD), based on references to Paul’s
travels and his expectation of release (Philippians 1:19–26).
3. Intended Audience
Paul wrote Philippians to the Christian community in Philippi, a Roman colony
in Macedonia (modern Greece). This was the first European church established by
Paul (Acts 16:12–40). The audience consisted of mostly Gentile believers, with
some Jewish converts.
4. Major Themes
• Joy in Christ – Despite suffering, Paul emphasizes joy and rejoicing in the
Lord (Philippians 4:4).
• Christ’s Humility and Exaltation – The famous Christ hymn (Philippians
2:5–11) portrays Jesus’ self-emptying and glorification.
• Christian Unity and Humility – Paul urges the Philippians to be of one mind,
following Christ’s example of servanthood.
• Perseverance through Suffering – Paul encourages the believers to remain
faithful despite persecution.
• The Supremacy of Knowing Christ – Paul considers all achievements worthless
compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7–11).
5. Sequential Review of Chapters
Chapter 1: Paul’s Joy and Confidence in Christ
• Paul greets the Philippians warmly and expresses gratitude for their
partnership in the gospel (1:1–11).
• He reassures them that his imprisonment has actually advanced the gospel
(1:12–26).
• Encourages them to live worthy of the gospel and stand firm in faith
(1:27–30).
Chapter 2: The Example of Christ’s Humility
• Calls for unity and humility among believers (2:1–4).
• The Christ hymn (2:5–11) illustrates Jesus’ humility, obedience, and
exaltation.
• Encourages them to work out their salvation and shine as lights in the world
(2:12–18).
• Mentions Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of faithful servants (2:19–30).
Chapter 3: Rejecting Confidence in the Flesh
• Paul warns against false teachers (likely Judaizers) who promote confidence
in the law (3:1–3).
• He shares his personal testimony, considering his former status worthless
compared to knowing Christ (3:4–11).
• Encourages pressing on toward the goal of knowing Christ fully (3:12–21).
Chapter 4: Exhortations and Final Greetings
• Calls for unity and peace within the church (4:1–3).
• Encourages rejoicing in the Lord, prayer, and focusing on what is noble and
pure (4:4–9).
• Thanks the Philippians for their generosity and assures them that God will
supply their needs (4:10–20).
• Closes with final greetings and a blessing (4:21–23)