The “book” of Philippians was written by a man named Paul to the church in a city named Philippi.  Philippians is actually a letter.  Paul was an apostle, a word which means “sent one”, an idea very similar to our modern idea of a missionary.  Paul had been a very devoted Jew but after a life changing meeting with the resurrected Jesus he became even more serious about telling others about Jesus, Jewish people and non-Jewish people alike.  Although he told all who would listen he was specifically chosen by Jesus to tell the gentiles about who Jesus is and what he had done for them.  Paul made at least three journeys around the Mediterranean world telling people about Jesus and starting churches (gatherings of believers).  The first was 46-48 AD, the second was 49-52 AD and the third was 53-58 AD.  He was arrested in Jerusalem after his third journey and was imprisoned in Caesarea Philippi north of Jerusalem for about two years.  When a new governor of the area suggested that he return to Jerusalem to clear up the charges against himself Paul, as a Roman citizen, appealed to the king or Caesar to hear his case.  He was shipped to Rome where he spent another 2-3 years under house arrest awaiting a trial.  It was during this time that he wrote the letter to the Philippian church.

Philippi was located in Macedonia about nine miles from the northern coast of the Aegean Sea. .  The city was named for the Macedonian king Philip, father of Alexander the Great, who made the city the capital of the Greek empire(about 360 BC).  Rome conquered the area around 170 BC and divided the region into four counties.  The city ceased to be the capital.  In 44 BC Julius Caesar died and a civil war broke out in the Roman Empire.  In 42 BC and 30 BC two decisive  battles were fought near Philippi which ended the civil war.  At the end of the battles the victorious generals disbanded their armies and many of their soldiers moved to the region around Philippi.  In recognition of the service of these new citizens of Philippi the city was made an official Roman colony with the citizens of the city enjoying special citizenship rights which made them equal with citizens of Rome.  Philippi was on a major Roman road from Rome to the eastern part of the Mediterranean world, the Via Egnatia.  In the time of Paul the city was still an important Roman colony.

The church in Philippi was founded during Paul’s second journey, about 51 AD.  While on this journey Paul was in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) in the city of Troas.  In some way God indicated to him not to preach any longer in that area and Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia calling out to him for help.  He and his traveling companions (Silas and Timothy) sailed to the port of Neopolis, near Philippi and then walked to Phillipi.  Paul usually looked for a synagogue (a Jewish “church”) first when he entered a city.  It made good sense to talk to the people there first, since they would be most familiar with the Old Testament background of his message (see “The Old Testament Connection”).  In Philippi there was no synagogue, though (a synagogue required at least ten adult male Jews).  Paul found a few faithful people at the river praying and began with them.  Since there were so few Jewish people in the area the church which grew up at Philippi was very gentile (non-Jewish).

While in Philippi two important events occurred, first Paul cast a demon out of a certain slave girl who’s demonic abilities had made a lot of money for her masters.  The masters dragged Paul and Silas into court because their business had been ruined.  The court punished Paul and Silas by beating them and throwing them into jail.  In the middle of the night an earthquake shook the city and all of the jail doors opened.  The warden saw the open doors and feared that all of his prisoners had escaped.  A warden could be executed for losing a prisoner.  Miraculously no one had left the jail and just as the warden was about to commit suicide Paul interrupted him and assured him that they were all still there.  As a result the Roman jailer took Paul and Silas into his home and became a believer in Jesus.  Because Paul was a Roman citizen it was illegal for the courts to treat him as they had and he told them so.  Out of fear the court released him and Silas and asked them to leave the city.  No doubt these miraculous events helped assure the believers in Philippi be sure they were following the one true God.

Paul revisited Philippi on his third journey and the city was always ready to support him in his efforts to tell others about Jesus.  In a letter to another Greek city, Corinth, Paul praises Philippi and other cities in Macedonia for their generosity in a collection he was taking up to help the church in Jerusalem which was having extreme financial difficulties.  This offering was so important to Paul that he wanted to deliver it personally to Jerusalem.  It was while making this delivery that Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and finally was shipped off to Rome.

The church in Philippi heard of Paul’s imprisonment and again rose to the occasion by sending him money to help him pay his bills (Paul was under house arrest while in Rome and had to pay his own rent and living expenses).  The gift was sent by a member of the church named Epaphroditus.  Epaphroditus became very ill on his way to Paul but eventually delivered the gift.  In the mean time the church in Philippi heard of the illness and were worried about him.  Paul heard of their worry decided to send Epaphroditus, who had recovered, home (by the way Rome and Philippi are about 800 miles apart).  The letter was written by Paul to thank the church for their care for him and to deal with some minor problems he had become aware of.  It was carried to Philippi by the same messenger who had brought the gift to Paul, Epaphroditus.  This letter is a warm friendly letter between Paul and his friends at Philippi.  (See also “Paul:  “Sent One” to the Gentiles”).