INTRODUCTION
The Occasion of the Epistle
This epistle is a letter of thanksgiving from the Apostle Paul to the Philippians for their practical fellowship (supplies and perhaps a monetary gift – chap. 4:18) which they had sent to him when he was captive in Rome. In writing to the saints at Philippi, Paul took the opportunity to give them an update on his personal circumstances and to report on how the work of the Lord was progressing in Rome. Also, being aware of the persecution that the Philippians were facing on a daily basis, he included an encouraging word to stand fast in their testimony and to continue in the path of faith in spite of the adversity. He also gave them some practical advice on how the assembly could be saved from the enemy’s attempt to destroy it through internal strife.
The Philippians were Paul’s first converts in Europe. We know from the book of the Acts that he made at least three visits to that locality (Acts 16:12-40; 20:1, 3-612And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. 16And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. 18And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. 35And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 37But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 38And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. 39And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. 40And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. (Acts 16:12‑40)
1And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Acts 20:1)
3And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. 4And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5These going before tarried for us at Troas. 6And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (Acts 20:3‑6))—and every time that he thought of them thereafter, it brought joy to his heart (Phil. 1:44Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, (Philippians 1:4)). It is clear from his remarks in the epistle that there existed great affection between him and the Philippians (chap. 1:7 – J. N. Darby Trans.). It is easily the most personal and affectionate epistle that Paul wrote to an assembly.
It is interesting that in writing to the Philippians, Paul does not quote from the Old Testament Scriptures. This may have been because they were mostly converted Gentiles who would not have been familiar with the Scriptures. It is also of note that there is very little, if any, doctrine in the epistle. Nor does he touch on the subject of sin and expiation. Rather, being deeply moved by their love and care, 800 miles from them and bound with a chain, he writes from the fullness of his heart to thank them for their gift and to encourage them in practical matters concerning walking with the Lord. We see from this that even though Paul was in captivity and no longer free to carry on his apostolic ministry among the assemblies, he took every opportunity to minister to his brethren by letter. The coming of Epaphroditus with the gift from the Philippians afforded him such an opportunity. He gave Epaphroditus this letter to take to them on his return trip to Philippi.
This so-called “prison” epistle is a complement of two other “prison” epistles (Ephesians and Colossians) which Paul wrote under divine inspiration while incarcerated in Rome. Falling on either side of this epistle in our Bibles, Ephesians and Colossians both unfold the truth of the Mystery, in its present and future aspects: Whereas, in Philippians, we see a man walking in the good of the truth of the Mystery and speaking from his personal enjoyment of it. Thus, the Philippian epistle gives us a picture of the state of soul that should mark one who knows the truth of the Mystery and lives in the good of it.
Paul’s Inner Life Unveiled—Exhibiting a Normal Christian Experience
This epistle is unique in that it gives us extraordinary insight into Paul’s inner life, in a way in which no other epistle does. In four short chapters, he makes reference to himself about 90 times! From this, we see that he felt free to speak of himself to the Philippians in a way in which one would only do with those who were his closest friends. He knew that they had him in their hearts (Phil. 1:77Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. (Philippians 1:7)) and in their prayers (Phil. 1:1919For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (Philippians 1:19)) and that they had proved their love to him by giving to him out of their deep poverty—and that more than once (2 Cor. 8:1-21Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. (2 Corinthians 8:1‑2); Phil. 4:15-1615Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. (Philippians 4:15‑16)). Having this bond with the Philippians, Paul was at liberty to disclose his inner feelings and desires in an extremely open manner and in a way which he does not do with any other company of believers. He writes spontaneously and informally, as a friend pouring out his heart to those who love him. In Paul doing so, we see the experience of a man in Christ living in communion with God and in the enjoyment of his heavenly blessings.
Thus, the epistle gives us an opportunity to examine Paul’s inner thoughts and feelings and to see firsthand what should characterize the normal Christian life. Being permitted to peer into his soul, as this epistle affords us, we find that there is but one thing there—Christ! Christ and His interests were the sum and substance of his life, as he says so aptly in chapter 1:21—“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” J. N. Darby said that in this epistle “the Christian is viewed as in a race, and in that race he is entirely under the power of the Spirit of God; the flesh is not looked at as acting” (Practical Thoughts on Philippians, p. 21). He also said, “The epistle to the Philippians is a pattern of Christian experience, as it ought to be” (Miscellaneous Writings of J. N. Darby, vol. 4, p. 209). Thus, the epistle is the expression of a heart that has found Christ to be “everything” (Col. 3:1111Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11)).
Christ—God’s “Touchstone”
Christ in glory is God’s “Touchstone;” He looks at everything from that one standpoint. He measures, values, and tries everything we do on earth as it stands in relation to His Son. On a daily basis, God, so to speak, comes to examine our lives. He looks for one thing—the measure in which things are done in relation to Christ. If the things we do are done for Him and for His glory (1 Cor. 10:3131Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31); Col. 3:17, 2317And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17)
23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:23)), they will stand approved of God and will be rewarded in a coming day (2 Cor. 5:9-109Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9‑10)). But, if the things we do don’t meet His approval, they will be rejected and burnt up, and the believer will suffer loss (1 Cor. 3:12-1512Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:12‑15)). The great lesson the judgment seat of Christ teaches us is that whatever is done for Him is precious to God, and all else is valueless—as far as what we carry through into eternity. Knowing this ought to cause every sober Christian to be seriously exercised about using his time and energy rightly, and accordingly, to pray, “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psa. 90:1212So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)). In this epistle we see a man who has done just that. He has weighed things in relation to God’s Touchstone, and he is consequently living with right priorities.
An Epistle of Joy
With such a singular and glorious occupation engaging Paul’s heart and mind, we see him rejoicing in spirit—even though he was living in very unfavourable conditions! Being in such a state of soul, we do not find him complaining of his lot in life, nor do we see him asking for a change in his circumstances. Rather, he is seen living with God above it all. And, being absorbed in his Object, he is full of joy. A quick survey of the epistle will indicate that joy is the underlying theme throughout. In fact, the words “joy” and “rejoice” are mentioned 18 times! Hence, it has been rightly called “The Epistle of Christian Devotedness and Joy.”
We learn from this that the secret to having a happy, fruitful, Christian life is to make Christ our sole Object and to dedicate ourselves to furthering His interests on earth. It is sad, but it seems that relatively few Christians have discovered this secret. (We do not mean that the person who makes Christ everything will never have a trouble or a sorrow, but that he will have Him as his dearest Friend to walk with through the ups and downs of life—and thus make it possible to have joy even in the midst of trial.) The epistle, therefore, presents a practical exhibition of the Christian walk as powered by the Holy Spirit. When we realize that these writings were the experience of a prisoner living in disadvantageous conditions, it makes the epistle that much more compelling.
A Wilderness Epistle
This epistle is one of the so-called “wilderness” epistles—1 Corinthians, Philippians, Hebrews, and 1 Peter. That is, the believer is seen on earth under testing, walking in the path of faith with Christ in heaven before him as his goal. A characteristic feature of the “wilderness” epistles is the presence of “ifs” in the text. There are actually two kinds of “ifs” in Scripture which are quite different—the “if” of condition, and the “if” of argument. An “if” of condition assumes that there is a possibility of failure occurring in the path, resulting from a person not being a real believer, or from faith in the righteous breaking down in some way. An “if” of argument, on the other hand, has to do with the writer’s laying down certain facts in his presentation, and then building on those facts to make a certain point. When this is the case, the word “since” could be substituted for “if.”
It has been often said that in Ephesians there are no “ifs” of condition. In that epistle, the saints are not viewed as being tested on earth, but rather, seated together in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 2:66And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)). Colossians, on the other hand, has both: there is an “if” of condition in chapter 1:23 and there are “ifs” of argument in chapters 2:20 and 3:1. Hebrews also has both kinds of “ifs.” This being a wilderness epistle, Paul does not count himself to have attained anything (Phil. 3:1212Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12)). He sees himself on the road, but not there yet. Christ has laid hold of him, and he is walking the path toward that goal, which is to be with and like Christ.
From certain expressions in the epistle, it is generally gathered that Paul was reaching the close of his two years in captivity in Rome (Acts 28:3030And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, (Acts 28:30)). (He had been held captive in Caesarea for two years prior to this for a total of four years – Acts 24:2727But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. (Acts 24:27).) His future at this point lay in one or the other of two things—he could be exonerated before Emperor Nero and set free, or he would be martyred. Scholars say that this was the last inspired epistle of Paul that he wrote to an assembly.
The Theme of the Chapters
Chap. 1—Christ, the purpose of the Christian life (vs. 21).
Chap. 2—Christ, the pattern for Christian life (vss. 5-8).
Chap. 3—Christ, the prize of the Christian life (vs. 14).
Chap. 4—Christ, the power of the Christian life (vs. 13).
Chap. 1—Christ, the motive for living (vs. 21).
Chap. 2—Christ, the model for living (vss. 5-8).
Chap. 3—Christ, the mark for living (vs. 14).
Chap. 4—Christ, the might for living (vs. 13).