The Church Of Philippi

The Apostle Paul’s strategic mission of expanding the church and spreading the Gospel was significant considering the challenges he had to conquer. His life and example was and is applicable to modern cross-cultural leaders and organizations. Philippians 2 is a letter written by Paul to the church of Philippi. It was prepared during his imprisonment in Rome for spreading the Gospel of Christ in an area where people predominately and traditionally believed in Judaism. His writing in this passage highlights Christ as the ultimate example of humility and Paul’s encouragement to his followers to keep the unity, as they are the light of the world.

The Book of Philippians is a letter of appreciation of and gratitude for the fellowship and support received from the church in Philippi written by the Apostle Paul while he was still imprisoned in Rome. In verses 12-14 he reminds them that he had not committed any crime deserving of imprisonment, but he was in prison solely because he was a follower of Jesus Christ and had been sharing the Gospel throughout Rome. He wanted them to understand that even though there was a possibility of him losing his life that they should not be frightened by this because ultimately this circumstance served to further the advancement of the gospel.

In Philippians 1, Paul opens with a prayer of thanksgiving; “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (1:3 NKJ) for the Philippians. The church at Philippi had been source of great a joy to Paul by their fellowship. Paul prayed that God will complete the work that he began through them and they should grow spiritually as well. Paul encourages the Philippian believers that even though he is in prison, the word of God has spread with the prison guards and has help spread the gospel “I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel” (1:17 NKJ). He affirms to the Philippian people that all this happen because he trusted in the word of God. His goal was to encourage the Philippian believers that they can trust in the sovereignty of the God Almighty despite all the hardship that he is going through (Town 203).

Paul begins his letter by saying he is an apostle not from men nor through man, but Jesus

The church in Rome, once so prone to lose sight of their high calling in Christ, had developed strength of Christ character. Their words and acts revealed the transforming power of the grace of God. With clearness and power Paul presents the doctrine of justification by Faith in Christ alone. Paul heart’s desire and prayer for his people the Jews were that they might be saved he now sets forth the great principle of the gospel that salvation is only through faith in Christ as Jesus says “if you love me keep my commandments”. Therefore it is not by works that we are saved nor by relations or titles nor anything but only through Christ who is the “Way the Truth and the Life”.

Philippians is a letter written by Paul when he was in jail. It is unknown where he was in jail at. The letter is written to the people of Philippi who have helped support Paul in his early journeys and church planting missions. Paul addresses suffering, unity, and having joy in Christ. Paul also includes a well know Christ hymn.

"This team of servant-leaders will teach others to have fervent love for one another by using the precepts of the Gospel and by following the examples set by our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Love covers the multitude of sins and helps others discover God's plan and purpose in their lives." 1Peter 4:8

( Philippians 4:3). Paul had led by example and had confidence in the

In his new book Becoming the Gospel Michael Gorman provides an interesting look at the life and letters of the apostle Paul. Gorman wants his readers to consider that more than knowing the gospel and its power to save, Paul want his recipients of his letters to live out the gospel in their lives. Thus Gorman’s central argument in this book is that “Paul wanted the communities he addressed…to become the gospel, and in so doing to participate in the very life and mission of God” (Gorman 2). Gorman explores this idea by taking the reader through a look at the letters of Paul using a “missio Dei” lens, to provide a new view of what Paul is teaching to these early Christian communities.

In verse two we can find the second half of the conditional statement of Paul which was given. The means of fulfilling this command is then given in four clauses which emphasize unity by synonymous expressions.7 The way in which the Philippians can “fulfil” Paul’s joy is by having “the same mind”, “the same love”, being “one

Paul, having figuratively died and rose again with Christ, demonstrates a profound change in his outlook. Armed with a transformed mindset, the once vitriolic man who had been possessed by the demonic “Us vs. Them” mentality, goes on to champion unity and equality -- “In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal” (Gal. 3:28; The Message). He then implores fellow Christians to defy conformity, exhorting them to be transformed by gauging their values against the credo that holds ultimate significance -- the will of God, which Micah defines as acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God (Rom 12:2; Micah 6:8).

     The meaning of the passage to Paul is to strengthen his brothers in the faith. Paul wrote this to show them that things will not always be perfect and that some times they will face trials but with Jesus all things are possible. Paul also encourages himself through the encouragement of the church of Colosse. I think that when Paul writes to the church’s and tell them what he thinks, encourages them , prays for them, or even just telling them what he face for the gospel, that it gives him a sense of accomplishment or even a sense of why he is doing what he is doing.

The Epistles of Paul & Timothy written by Paul to the Philippians also called Pro Philippians is the eleventh book of the new testament . The Epistle is a thank you note to the believers in Phillippi for their help in his hour of need, also to instruct them as to how the body of Christ should function. It is also worthy to note that the church at Phillippi is the first church Paul founded in Macedonia . Paul tells the believers that they should preach Christ in love not out of selfish ambitions in hopes to gain themselves .He instructs them that nothing should be done in strife or vainglory, but all should be done with others in mind esteeming the other better than himself. Paul wanted to get the point across to his brothers an sisters

As in the interpretation of any passage of Scripture, the correct interpretation of Philippians 2:1-11 rests upon a careful examination of its context. Paul is writing the letter to the Philippians in order to thank them for their gift which they sent by Epaphroditus to him in prison. Although some scholars have argued that the current Epistle to the Philippians was originally several separate letters, based upon the sharp change of tone in 3:1, the “therefore, then, accordingly” in 2:1 clearly connects chapter two with chapter one. The immediate context of 2:1-11 is the exhortation to unity in 1:27-30. In this section, Paul urges the Philippians “to live as

I chose to write my paper on Philippians 3:12-21. Before writing this paper I was not entirely familiar with the reasons for Paul’s letters to the church of Philippi. It was an interesting study once I understood the background and reasoning for Paul’s writings. Paul writes a thank you letter to the Christians at Philippi for their contributions and support in his hour of need, and he uses the occasion to send along some instructions on Christian unity. Paul is also giving them an update on his circumstances. Most of Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi dealt with areas such as joy, rejoice, praise, thankfulness, and attitude.