Philippians Background

STP Devotional for the Week of 9/15/25

This year our theme is Rejoice! We’re going to start studying Philippians by looking at the author, the background and the setting.

The early church testifies to the fact that the apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians. Because of language used, such as Paul’s references to an imperial guard and the “saints…of Caesar’s household,” the text indicates that it was written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome around AD 60-62. He would have had chains on his hands and feet and would have been chained to a Roman guard.

Keep in mind that Paul had been Saul at one time, born in Tarsus (Acts 9:11) around the time of Christ’s birth, a persecutor of Christians (Acts 6 & 7), a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37), and a Pharisee (Acts 23:6) from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5). When Jesus met him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-31), Saul had no redeeming qualities that we could see. But Jesus had a plan and a purpose for the man he renamed Paul.

What about Philippi? What makes that city and its citizens important enough for Paul to write a letter? Philippi was named after Philip II of Macedon (Alexander the Great’s father). Philip II conquered the region, and it became part of the Roman province of Macedonia. It became a Roman colony after the Battle of Philippi and was granted the same rights as Italian citizens enjoyed in Rome. This is why Paul uses language like “citizens of heaven” (Philippians 3:20) because the people would have understood his reference.

Paul established the congregation in Philippi on his second missionary journey in AD 50. It was the first congregation Paul founded in Europe on this journey. Paul was accompanied by Silas, young Timothy, and Luke. They were “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,” (Acts 16:6) attempted to go into Bithynia but “the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them” (Acts 16:7). Paul then had a vision in which a man of Macedonia said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). Paul and his companions knew they were to preach the gospel to the people of Philippi.

Another interesting thing to note is that Paul liked to head to the synagogue to preach when he reached a new town. He enjoyed showing how Scripture revealed that Jesus truly was the long-awaited Messiah. But Philippi didn’t have a synagogue. That meant there were probably less than ten male Jews in the region as that was the number necessary to establish a synagogue. In fact, the first Jews they met were a group of women near the riverside. (Acts 16:13) They shared the good news with Lydia, a wealthy merchant, who immediately became a believer. God had prepared her heart to hear the message of good news.

So why did Paul write the letter to the Philippians? He had a few reasons. First, he wanted to thank the Philippians for sending their gift to him (Phil. 4:10-20) and express his joy in their desire to continue to spread the good news of the gospel (Phil. 1:3-6). Second, he wanted them to understand the circumstances of his imprisonment in Rome and not to be discouraged on his behalf (Phil. 1:12-26). Finally, he wanted to address the issues of disunity and false teachers that had arisen since his visit.(Phil. 2:1-4)

The book of Philippians continues to speak to believers today. It’s message of joy in all circumstances and finding your identity in Christ ring true in all generations.

AT HOME: Look up the verses mentioned in the devotion. Read about Paul’s conversion. Prepare your heart for the message of Philippians.