Philippians is an epistle (love letter) that was written to the Philippian church. We also know that this was a letter written to the believers in the church. Some may think that the letter is written to anyone that goes to the church. However, the truth of the matter is that this letter is written to the believers. We know this because of the issues that the Philippians needed to correct. These issues could only have been rectified through the help of the Lord.

Philip of Macedonia is where the city got its name. Also, Philip was the father of Alexander the Great. Philippi was seized by Philip in 358 B. C. from the Thracians. This city was on the Egnatia highway in Macedonia which extended from Rome to Byzantium.

Now, through the book of Acts we get a sneak preview of how the church (body of believers) gets started.

Acts 16:9-12, “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And 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.”

Through these verses we find the direction that Paul was given by the Lord to go into Macedonia. This trip to was taken during his second missionary journey. In verse 12 we find out that Philippi is the chief city of that part of Macedonia. Paul was instructed to go and he went.

While Paul was in the city we see him beginning to share the gospel with the people. Lydia was the first.

Acts 16:14-15, “And 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. And 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.”

After casting an evil spirit out of a woman and Paul being cast into prison, he then witness’ to the Philippian jailer. After his witness to the jailer we see him coming to Christ as well.

Acts 16:25-34, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And 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. And 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. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”

This was the beginning of the church at Philippi.

As we begin to look at this letter, which was written by Paul while he was in prison, we can see many different areas that needed to be corrected and adjusted in order that the believers could be all that the Lord wanted them to be. However, much like the other letters that Paul wrote, we find him first greeting the Philippians (Philippians 1:2, “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”). Then we see Paul exhorting them for their fellowship with him.

Philippians 1:3-5, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;...”

Notice that he points out the fact that they were friends from the beginning of their salvation and up to the point at which Paul writes the letter. Remember that Paul is in prison while writing the letter. Their friendship and fellowship was more than just words, it was real and true. We find this to be accurate when we see Philippians 4:16, “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.” Paul even took time to mention their generosity to the Corinthian church.

2nd Corinthians 11:9, “And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.”

The friendship didn’t stop there but continued on by the Philippians sending their messenger, Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus took a gift to Paul while he was in bonds (Philippians 4:18, “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”). This was a friendship that was appreciated and Paul let them know.

We also see through this writing that some encouragement for unity in the church was needed.

Philippians 2:1-4, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

These verses show to us that the believers needed to have Christ like qualities as they dealt with each other so that there would be unity. Consolation, love, fellowship, compassion, concern for one another’s joy, humility, and controlling self interest are some of the qualities needed by the church and displayed through the life of Christ. Paul touches on this issue of unity a couple of times. Look at Philippians 4:3-4:

Philippians 4:3-4, “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Paul directs his writing specifically at Euodias and Syntyche and asks for a yokefellow to come alongside these two and help them to be like minded. Take note that with these issues facing the church and these two ladies specifically that they are always encouraged by Paul to be like minded (of one mind). Paul knew that if they kept their minds on the things of Christ then there couldn’t be anything but unity.

This encouragement from Paul was not empty words but rather words that were fulfilled. We also see this through the book. Paul’s mind was continually on the Lord. Even to the point of him wondering, while in prison, if he would be sentenced to death.

Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

Whether through life or death Paul was willing to do all that the Lord wanted. Paul was completely and utterly sold out to what God wanted from him, even unto death. He goes on later in the book to mention that he was pushing hard to reach all that the Lord had for him.

Philippians 3:14, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul’s attention was focused on what the Lord wanted. Paul taught what the Lord wanted. Throughout the Bible we find time and again that Paul wanted to be obedient to the Lord God Almighty and we see it here in this book again.

Paul tells the believers then and it encourages us now to stand fast in the Lord. This is a great visual of how a soldier stands as he is about to go into battle. Standing on solid ground, having good footing, and assured that he will be victorious. This is where we must be as well.