Philippians
About Philippi
Philippi was a Roman colony. The archaeological evidence shows that 1% of the population was retired Roman military men. This would have been around 100 people. 23% of the population were colonists.
“This small percentage, however, retained its strong Roman identity, as indicated by Latin inscriptions during the next two centuries. Perhaps these men were descendants of those who fought in the battles outside Philippi between Octavian and Marc Antony against Brutus and Cassius (42 BC), or ten years later in the battle of Actium, in which Octavian bested Antony and Cleopatra. It was after this second battle that Octavian, now Caesar Augustus, renamed Philippi after himself, Colonia Iulia Augusta Philippensis. Retired Roman soldiers were given land there.”[1]
Philippi, a city with a rich history, has undergone several name changes. Some suggest its earliest name was Tasibasta, meaning ”place of the Thasians,” and others say it was called Datus. The ancient name was Crenides, meaning ”fountains” or ”springs,” due to its abundant water supply.
The city rose to prominence when it became the capital of the Roman empire. In 359/358 b.c. Philip II of Macedon gained control of the city after the residents appealed to him for help against the neighboring Thracians. He renamed the city Philippi, the first time a city had been named for its benefactor. With the resources there, especially gold and timber, Philip dreamed of uniting Greece and conquering the world. His untimely death ended his plans, but his son, Alexander, inherited his vision. At the age of nineteen, Alexander ventured from Philippi and, in twelve years, established a world dominion for the Greeks. Philippi became the showpiece of Greek culture, and Alexander devoted significant energies to its development.”
Roman soldiers conquered Macedonia 200 years later. There was a civil war after the death of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. Antony and Octavian fought Brutus and Cassius on the plains near Philippi.
Two battles took place between Antony and Octavian, resulting in the establishment of a colony at Philippi in 42 BC and 30 BC, respectively. Antony emerged victorious over Cassius in the first battle, and Octavian defeated Brutus two weeks later. The city was revitalized by army veterans, infusing it with an unmistakable Italian appeal. Octavian granted the ius Italicum, which granted colonists the same privileges as those in Italy. The Roman colonies had a well-structured system of self-government, where officials were elected in pairs. These officials included the duumviri, who were responsible for both judicial and political matters, the aediles, who oversaw public works, and the quaestores, who handled financial affairs. Each city had its own territory surrounding it. Philippi’s territory spanned 730 square miles and consisted of numerous small villages, setting it apart from the other five colonies in Macedonia. Philippi never achieved the same level of prominence as Thessalonica, the main city of the province located approximately 100 miles away.
To fully grasp the letter to the church in Philippi, it is imperative that you read Acts 16.
About the Author of Philippians
According to the first verse, Paul wrote Philippians. It says, ” Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons (Philippians 1:1, ESV).”
Historical Setting
Paul and his companions were in Phrygia when Paul received a vision. A man begging Paul to come to Macedonia. So, they did so.
When they arrived in Philippi, they spent several days there. Then, on the Sabbath, they went outside of the city gate to where the river was expecting to find a “place for prayer.” There were women gathered there, and one of them listening was Lydia (a dealer in purple clothes). Acts tells us, “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.” (Philippians 16:14-15, NIV)
“Acts 16:13, 16 identifies the gathering of the Jews on the Sabbath as a proseuchē (“house of prayer”) and notes that Paul spoke only to women gathered at the river. From these details some postulate that this group had fewer than ten Jewish men and thus lacked the minimum number established in the rabbinic texts to form a minyan or quorum. However, this position fails to appreciate that proseuchē was a common term used to identify Diaspora meetings, and synagōgē (“house of assembly”) was the preferred choice for those gatherings in Judea. Additionally, Luke states that Paul spoke with the women there; he does not state that few men were present. Luke’s emphasis on women here counterbalances his later emphasis on the Philippian jailer. Luke often pairs stories about men and about women; thus, his focus on Lydia as one among this group of women matches his wider practices. We need not read into his argument from silence that Jewish men were not present or were few in number.”
On their way to the place of prayer, a female slave who was possessed and could predict the future. It made her owners a lot of money. She followed Paul and his companions and shouted, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She did this for a few days. Paul became incredibly annoyed and exercised her. The owners knew that they would not have a source of income because of this, and they seized Paul and Silas and took them to the authorities in the marketplace. Acts 16:20-21 says, “They brought them before the magistrates and said, ‘These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.’” (NIV)
They were stripped, flogged with rods, and then put in prison. While in prison, Paul and Silas sang hymns, and there was a violent earthquake. The jail cells were opened, and the chains on the prisoners fell off. As the guard came to, he noticed the doors open and drew his sword to kill himself. If prisoners escaped a Roman soldier tending, the consequences were brutal. Soldiers would rather kill themselves than face the consequences. Paul called out to the soldier and showed that they were still there. The Roman soldier came to faith, and so did his family. They were all baptized, and Paul and Silas stayed at their home until they were released. Not realizing they were Roman citizens, the magistrates became alarmed and asked them to leave. They went to Lydia’s house, encouraged them, and then left.
About the Audience and Background
During the first century, Philippi had a diverse population. There were three main ethnic groups who dwelled there:
The Thracian community - the natives.
The Greeks
The Romans
It is believed that the city of Philippi’s main language was Latin due to its strong Roman elements. There is scarce evidence of a Jewish population, and Paul did not visit the synagogue, as was his usual practice. Instead, he chose to visit the river where Jews gathered for worship and where Gentile women were present. Due to the small number of Jewish males residing in Philippi, the construction of a synagogue was not mandated by Jewish law, which required a minimum of ten male heads of household. It’s possible that the military nature of the city didn’t appeal to Jews, and their expulsion may have been influenced by the pro-Roman sentiment of the colony. Paul arrived in the city around 50-51 A.D., highlighting the presence of a dedicated Roman colony with shared political beliefs, including a negative attitude towards Jewish people.
Why did Paul write this letter?
1:12-14 To tell how he is sharing the gospel, even in chains.
2:19 Tells us that Paul is informing the Church that Timothy is coming to visit.
2:24 Paul stated that he intended to visit.
2:28 To mention the Epaphroditus situation.
4:15 To exhort the Church.
He also addresses three things: disunity, suffering, and opponents of the gospel.
When and where did Paul write it?
Paul wrote Philippian from prison in the early 60s AD.
