Transcript Philippi - Eastside Church of Christ Athens, AL

The Prison
Epistles
A Study of the Letters Paul Wrote
While Imprisoned in Rome
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, & Philemon
Philippi
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Area located in ancient (and modern) Greece.
First settled in 6th century B.C.
Conquered by King Philip of Macedon 356 B.C.
Gold mines served as a source of wealth.
Romans invaded in 167 B.C.
Roman Civil Wars, Battle of Philippi. October
42 B.C.
– Mark Antony and Octavian confronted Brutus and
Cassius (assassins of Julius Caesar). Antony and
Octavian victorious.
– After battle, Roman veterans colonized Philippi.
Philippi
• Colony meant that citizens were Romans with
special rights. Roman coinage, laws, etc.
• Octavian became Roman Emperor in 30 B.C.,
placed more Roman settlers, thought to include
Praetorian Guard and other Italians.
• Philippi divided into blocks and distributed to
colonists, veterans and others from Italy.
• Philippi had many of the same type of
government, public, trade, and cultural
buildings & centers that were in Rome.
Paul and Silas at Philippi
• Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey.
• Acts 16: Paul passed through Phrygia and
Galatia. About A.D. 50.
• Paul has a vision at Troas, Macedonian man
saying “come over to Macedonia and help us”.
• Paul and company sail from Troas to
Samothrace to Neopolis.
• Traveled from Neopolis to Philippi.
• Acts 16:12: Philippi described as leading city in
Macedonia, Roman colony.
Ephesians 5:1-21
Photo of the Egnatian Way Overlooking
Modern Kavala (site of ancient Neopolis)
Paul and Silas at Philippi
• Important Events at Philippi from Acts 16:
– Sabbath Day: Paul found women assembled near
the river.
– Lydia and household converted.
– Servant girl healed from Spirit of Divination.
– Her masters drag Paul and Silas before authorities.
– Paul and Silas beaten and jailed. Put in stocks.
– Paul and Silas pray and sing praises at midnight.
– Great earthquake, prison doors open.
– Jailer converted.
– Magistrates order Paul and Silas released.
– Paul tells them of his Roman citizenship. Mag. Beg
them to leave.
The Book of Philippians
• Believed to have been written while Paul was in
custody in Rome. A.D. 60-63.
• Chapter 3:15-18 tells us that this church had
sent gifts to him more than once via
Epaphroditus.
• Chapter 2:19: Paul hoped to send Timothy to
them shortly.
• Chapter 2:24: Paul also hoped to come.
• Chapter 2:25: Epaphroditus was being sent
back. Seemingly bringing this letter.
Themes of Philippians
• Major Theme: Joy in the Lord.
• “Joy” found five times. “Rejoice” found eleven.
• Despite being in custody awaiting trial, Paul
found reason to rejoice in this good church.
• Outline of Major Themes.
– Chapter 1: Paul’s Present Circumstances.
– Chapter 2: Have the Mind, Attitude of Christ.
– Chapter 3: Have the Knowledge of Christ.
– Chapter 4: Have the Peace of Christ.
Philippians 1:1-2
• Paul and Timothy. Bondservants of Christ.
– Paul did not introduce himself as an apostle as he
frequently did in other letters.
– Perhaps his apostleship wasn’t disputed in Philippi.
• To the saints in Christ at Philippi.
– With the Overseers (Bishops) and Deacons.
– Overseers, Elders, Bishops, Presbyters, Shepherds
were terms used to describe the same office.
– Only a decade after being established, this church
was organized after the scriptural pattern.
Philippians 1:3-11
• Paul thanked God every time he thought of
them.
– Paul received terrible treatment from the authorities
at Philippi, but his thoughts of the church made him
happy.
– He remembered them in every prayer.
– Because of their fellowship (participation, sharing)
in the gospel from the first day.
• Paul was confident that God who began a good
work in them would perfect it.
Philippians 1:3-11
• Paul’s special relationship with the Philippians.
– They were in his heart.
– They had been partakers with him.
– God was a witness of how Paul yearned for them.
• He wanted their love to increase more and more
in real knowledge and discernment.
– He wanted knowledge, discernment to increase.
– So that their ability to distinguish things that are
excellent. To be sincere and blameless.
• Sincere: derived from latin: sin (without) cere (wax).
Ancient marble and porcelain would sometimes use wax
to hide flaws their products. Reputable dealers would
advertise their products as “sin cere”, “without wax”.
• For us this means without deception or hypocrisy.
Philippians 1:12-18
• Paul’s imprisonment had helped spread the
Gospel.
– The Whole Praetorian Guard was aware of why
Paul was imprisoned.
– Everyone else: Roman Public.
– This had encouraged brethren to have courage to
speak without fear.
• Some preached for the wrong reasons and impure
motives.
• Others did so out of love.
• Yet Paul still found reason to rejoice in the fact that Christ
was being preached.