At a Glance
Philippians at a Glance
- Author. The apostle Paul, with Timothy joining in the greeting (Philippians 1:1).
- Date. About AD 61–62.
- Written To. all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons (Philippians 1:1). Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia (Acts 16:12). Paul planted the church there on his second journey, about AD 50 (Acts 16:12–40). Here bishops means the church's overseers, who are also called elders and pastors (Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28), and deacons serve beside them.
- Setting. Paul wrote from prison in Rome, with soldiers of the palace guard watching him (Philippians 1:13). The Philippians had sent a gift by Epaphroditus, who then became so ill he nearly died (Philippians 2:25–30; Philippians 4:18).
- Key Verse. Philippians 1:21: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
- Key Word or Theme. Joy: rejoicing in the Lord, whatever the circumstances.
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Further reading
For Deeper Study
- Be JoyfulAmazon Warren W. WiersbeA warm and practical study of Philippians in the Be series.
- Notes on the Epistle to the PhilippiansAmazon H. A. IronsidePlain, devotional notes from a dispensational Bible teacher.
- Probing Through PhilippiansAmazon J. Vernon McGeeSimple, verse-by-verse messages from the Thru the Bible radio teacher.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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