Philippians, in the King James, has 4 chapters, 104 verses and 2,193 words. It is tied for the fourth lowest number of chapters of any Bible book. Other writings with only four chapters include Jonah, Malachi, 2Timothy, Ruth and Colossians. Philippians is also ranked 20th for the least number of verses of any Biblical book.
[How Many Churches
Did Apostle Paul Start?]
Philippians, in Scripture's original manuscript order, belongs to the sixth of seven major Biblical divisions. This division includes all of Paul's writings.
Date Written
Philippians is a part of a set of books, known as the Prison Epistles, written by the Apostle Paul between early spring of 61 and early spring of 63 A.D. The other books in this set are Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon. It was during this time that the apostle was under house arrest in Rome awaiting his trial (Acts 28).
The Author
The Apostle Paul had visited Philippi three times before he wrote to the church. He initially evangelized the city during his second missionary journey and visited it twice during his third evangelistic trip. When Paul wrote Philippians he was roughly between 59 and 61 years old.
Brief Timeline of Philippi
356 B.C. - Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great) conquers a city named Crednides. He seizes its nearby gold mine, fortifies it, and renames it Philippi after himself.
42 B.C. - The combined forces of Rome's Mark Antony and Octavian confront and overcome, in Philippi, the forces of Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. It was Brutus and Cassius who were the leaders of Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 B.C. Sometime after 42 B.C. the city is designated a Roman colony.
May 50 A.D. - Paul, Timothy, Silas and Luke visit Philippi during the apostle's second missionary journey. They arrived in the city several days before Pentecost in 50 A.D. (Acts 16:9 - 12). The Philippian church begins with Paul baptized Lydia and her entire family on Pentecost (May 17).
Middle of 57 A.D. - Paul revisits the Philippian church during his third missionary journey as he travels west in Macedonia to his ultimate destination of Corinth. While in Philippi he writes the book of 2Corinthians.
[Paul's Third Missionary Journey Map]
Spring 58 A.D. - Paul, now traveling east in Macedonia during his third journey, visits the Philippian church yet again. He stays in the city with Luke to keep Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread which runs from March 27 to April 3 (Acts 20:5 - 6).
[Meaning of the Christian Passover]
Spring 61 to Spring 63 A.D. - Paul writes the book of Philippians while he is a prisoner in Rome.
Philippians Chapter Outline
Chapter 1
I thank my God on every remembrance of you, always making supplication with joy in my every prayer for you all . . . For God is my witness, how I long after you all with the deep affections of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:3 - 4, 8, HBFV throughout).
Paul opens his short letter, written between early 61 and early 63 A.D., by expressing a great deal of love for the Philippians. They were so special to the apostle that he often prayed to God for their wellbeing.
The apostle also longed to see the Philippians again, as the last time he saw them in person was during the spring Holy (Feast) day season of 58 A.D. (Acts 20:5 - 6).
Brethren, I want you to know that the things befalling me have turned out rather unto the advancement of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ have become manifest in the whole palace (Greek praitorion in reference to praetorian guards), and to all others; (Philippians 1:12 - 13).
On the surface, it would be easy to conclude that Paul's incarceration in Rome would hinder the spread of the gospel. The apostle makes clear, however, that this was not the case! His house arrest in Rome (Acts 28) offered access to certain people (the Praetorian guards, palace slaves, etc.) he would not have otherwise.
Indeed, some are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife, but some with good intentions. On the one hand, those who are preaching out of a contentious spirit, and not purely, are thinking to add grief to my bonds.
But on the other hand, those who are preaching out of love know that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
What then shall I say? Nevertheless, in every way, whether in pretext or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed; and I rejoice in this, yes, and will also continue to rejoice. (Philippians 1:15 - 18).
Paul reveals that there are two groups of people who felt moved to spread the gospel after his incarceration.
One group is led to spread God's truth in support of Paul's ministry. Another group, who may have not liked him, preaches the same message out of a selfish desire to cause him more trouble. In either case, Paul lets the Philippians know that what is important to him is that the gospel is transmitted far and wide.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Now if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. But I do not know what I should choose.
For I am hard pressed to choose between the two. I desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better; But to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. (Philippians 1:21 - 24).
Paul, by the time he wrote Philippians, had already suffered greatly for the gospel (see 2Corinthians 11:23 - 27). From a strictly human perspective he wanted his trials to end and await the resurrection. His Christian desire, however, to help the church of God grow and to selflessly serve overrode what he wanted for himself.
[Best Bible Verses
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And not being intimidated in any way by those who oppose the gospel; which to them is a demonstration of destruction, but to you of salvation, and this from God;
Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His name’s sake; (Philippians 1:28 - 29).
Paul encourages the Philippians to continue standing up for the Gospel in spite of persecution. He also reveals that there are times when God's will is for Christians to suffer physically for the precious truth they have been given.
[Miracles of Apostle
Paul Timeline]
Chapter 2
Let nothing be done through contention or vainglory, but in humility, each esteeming the others above himself. Let each one look not only after his own things, but let each one also consider the things of others. (Philippians 2:3 - 4).
Paul's desire is that the Philippians be like minded. This oneness of heart cannot be achieved with selfish attitudes or the pursuit of vanity. It can only come through selfless love that is humble and seeks the good of others. Jesus perfectly stated this goal for Christians in John 13:34 - 35.
Who, although He (Jesus) existed in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied Himself, and was made in the likeness of men, and took the form of a servant; And being found in the manner of man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Therefore, God has also highly exalted Him and bestowed upon Him a name which is above every name; That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of beings in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6 - 11).
Paul illustrates to the Philippians the perfect example to follow concerning humility and selfless love! God was not asking those in Philippi (or any other Christian) to do something he was not willing to do himself.
Jesus was a member of the Godhead before his human birth. Rather than playing it safe, he willingly emptied himself of all he had and risked his existence by humbling himself to become a human. He chose to submit himself to man's sinful way of governing so that he could die as a perfect sacrifice for sin.
The Lord, after his resurrection, was seated at God's right hand where he justly deserves the worship of all beings in the universe.
[Who Sits at God's Left Hand?]
So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12).
Why would anyone have to "work out" their own salvation if their profession of faith was all that was needed? The truth is, Paul (and the rest of the New Testament) does NOT teach "once saved, always saved!" Christians must spend their lives, until death, building righteous character by overcoming so that they qualify (not earn) to receive eternal life.
But if I am also poured out on the sacrifice and ministration of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with you all. (Philippians 2:17).
Paul was perfectly willing to die for the faith if that was required. He would ultimately do so when he died a martyr's death in 68 A.D. at the hands of the Romans.
[How Did the Apostle Paul Die?]
But I felt it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and soldier, but your messenger and minister for my need, since he was longing after all of you, and was deeply depressed because you had heard that he was sick.
For indeed he was sick, and close to death; but God had mercy on him . . . (Philippians 2:25 - 27).
Epaphroditus was a leader in the church at Philippi who was sent to Rome to give Paul needed money and supplies. He may have gotten ill on the journey only to be near death when he reached the apostle. The Philippians somehow heard about his sickness and were greatly concerned.
Paul, after Epaphroditus recovered, felt it necessary to send him back home with his letter to the Philippians.
Chapter 3
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, who serve God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and do not trust in the flesh; (Philippians 3:2 - 3).
Paul is warning the Philippians to be wary of those who push the belief that physical circumcision is necessary for a person (e.g. gentile) to be saved. Although the church settled the issue at its Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15), there were those zealously willing to continue arguing for its practice.
If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead; Not as though I have already received, or have already been perfected; but I am striving, so that I may also lay hold on that for which I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I do not count myself as having attained; but this one thing I do - forgetting the things that are behind, and reaching forth to the things that are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:11 - 14).
[Can a Person Lose Salvation?]
Christians must work out their salvation until death (Philippians 2:12). This means no one, not even Paul, as long as they are alive, are guaranteed salvation no matter what they do! The possibility does exist that those once converted can still reject God and lose out on living forever (see 1Corinthians 9:27, Hebrews 6:4 - 6, 10:26 - 27, James 5:19 - 20, 2Peter 2:20 - 22, etc.).
Paul admonishes those in Philippi to keep striving and pursuing their high calling in Jesus because their efforts MATTER for eternal life!
(For many walk contrary; I have often told you of them, and I tell you now with weeping, they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; for they mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:18 - 19).
This is another warning from Paul about false teachers and false brethren who may come to Philippi. Those who are against Christ seek to fulfill their carnal desires, seek to glorify themselves and not God, and set their hearts on earthly things.
Who will transform our vile bodies, that they may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the inner working of His own power, whereby He is able to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:21).
[What Is the First Resurrection?]
Paul reiterates God promise to give all those in the resurrection a new spiritual body, just like his, that will last for eternity!
Chapter 4
Do not be anxious about anything; but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God in everything;
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6 - 7).
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Paul reminds the Philippians that trusting God and praying for their needs is the sure path to spiritual peace. Thanking the Father, and letting him know our needs, brings peace because we are choosing to not depend on our own resources to resolve our problems.
For you Philippians also know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I came from Macedonia, not one church communicated with me in regard to giving and receiving, except you alone. And when I was in Thessalonica, you sent to supply my need both once and twice. (Philippians 4:15 - 16).
It was the church at Philippi's willingness to help Paul, even when he served other churches, that endeared them to him. They were, in fact, the only known group throughout the apostle's entire ministry who regularly went out of their way to supply his needs.
All the saints salute you, and especially those of the household of Caesar. (Philippians 4:22)
Paul reveals to the Philippians that, in spite of his circumstances, God had ways of spreading his truth to whoever he chooses.
Amazing Facts About Philippians!