Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord – part 1

Author : Keith Sharp
Devotional study of Philippians

AuthorThe apostle Paul along with the evangelist Timothy wrote Philippians (1:1). Apparently Epaphroditus bore the letter to Philippi. He had been Philippi’s unselfish messenger to minister to Paul, but fell gravely ill at Rome, and Paul sent him back to Philippi (2:25-30; 4:18).

Where WrittenPaul was in prison in Rome when he sent the letter (1:7,12-14; 4:22).

When WrittenAt the time Paul wrote, he had been in prison long enough that his situation had made an impact on the brethren (1:12-14), and he had converted some while in prison, even from among the household of Caesar (4:22). He expected to be released before long (2:23-24). Probably the apostle sent this letter toward the end of his first imprisonment in Rome, ca. A.D. 61 or 62.

To Whom WrittenPaul addressed Philippians to “all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”(1:1) This is a capsule summary of the scriptural organization of a local church of Christ.

The City of PhilippiThe city of Philippi was located in the Roman colony of Macedonia, on the northern border of Achaia (Greece) and the eastern corner of Europe. It originally belonged to Thrace but was captured by Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, in 358 BC and named for him.

Philippi was located on a strategic spot on the Egnatian Road and, through its seaport of Neapolis, linked Southeastern Europe with Asia. The Romans, recognizing its military importance, made it a Roman colony (Acts 16:12). Thus it became a military city rather than a commercial one. As results its citizens had the coveted Roman citizenship, and its Jewish population was too small to build a synagogue (Acts 16:13). In fact, the Jews were apparently held in contempt here (Acts 16:20). It was a leading city of Macedonia (Acts 16:12).

The Church in PhilippiOn the apostle Paul’s second evangelistic journey, he received in a vision at Troas the “Macedonian Call” – “‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.'” (Acts 16:6-11) Paul and his company immediately went to Philippi, where on a Sabbath Paul preached the first gospel sermon on the European continent to a group of Jewish business women gathered for prayer by the river (Acts 16:12-13).

These same women became the first Christians in Europe and the original members of the church in Philippi (Acts 16:14-15). Other reported converts were pagan (Acts 16:16-34).

The church began in the midst of persecution (Acts 16:16-25). Even as Paul wrote to them, they were in tribulation and poverty (1:28-30; 2 Corinthians 8:1-2).

After Paul left, Luke remained behind at Philippi (Acts 16:10,40 – “we,” “they”) until Paul began his return to Jerusalem on his third journey (Acts 20:5-6). Silas and Timothy also labored in Philippi (Acts 18:5). Paul was through Philippi twice on his third journey (Acts 20:1-2,5-6; 2 Corinthians 2:13).

Despite their suffering and poverty, the Philippians were a source of voluntary, loving help to Paul from the time they were converted to Christ (Acts 16:15,33-34) and were a constant source of help to him afterward (1:3-5; 4:15-16). He could not think of them without thanking God with joy for them, and they were the constant subject of his prayers (1:3-4). They were the church closest to the great apostle’s heart (4:1). Unlike other churches, Paul directed no rebukes to Philippi, only a gentle reminder to two women to get along (4:2). Philippians is truly Paul’s “love letter” to the saints in Philippi.

ThemeThe theme of Philippians is “Rejoice in the Lord.” (4:4) In this epistle Paul uses the word “rejoice” twelve times (1:18 [2], 26; 2:16,17, 18, 28; 3:1,3; 4:4 [2],10), “joy” four (1:4,25; 2:2; 4:1), “glad” (verb form of “joy”) two (2:17-18), “gladness” (same Greek word as “joy”) one (2:29), “thank” one (1:3), “thanksgiving” one (4:6 ) and “peace” three times (1:2; 4:7,9). In this short letter the apostle reveals how we can have joy, an inward sense of well being, and peace, a mind free from turmoil and trouble, in all life’s situations.

KeyThe key to Philippians is “Meditate on These Things.” (4:8) Peace and joy are the results, not of outward circumstances, but of the condition of the heart. The author uses the term “mind” nine times (1:27; 2:2,3,5; 3:15,16,19; 4:2,7), “heart” twice (1:7; 4:7 ), “think” twice (1:7; 3:4), “spirit” (i.e., human spirit) once (1:27), “meditate” (consider, take into account, weigh) once (4:8), and “remembrance” once (1:3). Each chapter of Philippians gives a key to joy and peace.

ConclusionIs your life one of “joy inexpressible” (1 Peter 1:8) and “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7)? Are you instead depressed, worried and miserable? The Lord wants to replace the despondency and anxiety of our lives with joy and peace. Will you study with me, examine your own heart and life in the light of what you learn and incorporate the changes you need to make into your mind and life? You too may “Rejoice in the Lord always.”