Philippians

Letter written by Paul to the Philippians while he was imprisoned, probably in Ephesus, in the mid-50s.

Context
- Philippi: capital of ancient Macedonia, in northern Greece, Paul's first Christ-community in Europe (Acts 16)

- Written while Paul was imprisoned, probably in Ephesus in the mid-50s

Names
- Ephaphroditus (2.25, 4.18): emissary sent by Philippians to Paul with gifts and news, authoritative delegate, possibly the First Bishop of Philippi. Not much is known because Epaphroditus was a relatively common name.

- Euodia and Syntyche (4.2): female members of the Philippian congregation who were having a disagreement and who Paul uses as an example of the importance of unity of the community.

- Clement (4.3): preacher in the Philippian congregation, identified by the tradition as Pope Clement I, one of the earliest Popes, although there is not much evidence to prove or disprove this.

Content
- Begins with a typical Pauline opening, mentions Timothy

- Very positive toward members of the Philippian congregation

- 1.12-14: Description of Paul's life in prison

- 2.1-18: Encourages Philippians to follow Christ's example of humility and to be examples themselves

- 3.2-11: Break with past practices, as they are nothing compared to the immensity of faith in Jesus Christ

- 4.2-19: Specific references to conflicts within congregation and the gifts of the Philippians

Concepts
- Very joyous letter

- Emphasis on imitation of Jesus's life

- Faith in Jesus surpasses all past beliefs

- Some believe that this letter demonstrates that Paul was considering suicide, while others say that passages that emphasize the life of the world to come are the result of Paul's belief that he could be executed at any moment.