The Theology of Philippians

Authorship

The opinion that Philippians is a Pauline epistle has been widely accepted (Bruce xx). Although there have been several attempts to question Paul’s authorship, these have been generally less convincing than the theory that Paul authored the letter (Hawthorne 709).

Audience

The letter is written to the Christian community in Philippi in Macedonia, the first church founded by Paul in Europe (Hawthorne 707). The church in Philippi was “regarded with affection by [Paul] as sharers in the common task of Christian mission (Phil. 1:5)” (Marshall, “Philippians” 319). This close relationship explains the personal tone of the letter.

Occasion

Epaphroditus, a helper in Paul’s ministry, was going back to Philippi so Paul gave him a letter to give to them. He sends the letter to thank them for their gifts and continued partnership and it explains why Epaphroditus is returning to Philippi (Bruce xxix). The letter generally serves to encourage a spirit of unity within the Philippian church. The text makes it clear that the letter is written while Paul is in prison although it makes no mention of the place of his imprisonment (Bruce xxi). Different theories as to where Paul may have been imprisoned dictate the possibilities of dating the letter.

Date

The most widely held view is that Paul wrote the letter from Rome. Ephesus, Corinth, and Caesarea have all been proposed as alternatives to the Roman theory (Hawthorne 709). Each city carries with it a separate date based on Paul’s missionary journeys. Depending on which city is thought to be the place of Paul’s imprisonment the date of the letter ranges between 50 and 63 C.E. (Hawthorne 711).

Outline

· Salutation (1:1-2)

· Body of letter (1:3-4:20)

· Opening prayer report (1:3-11)

· Paul’s own situation and prospects (1:12-26)

· Appeal for unity and humility in the church (1:27-2:18)

· Future visits by Paul and his colleagues (2:19-30)

· Warning against opponents (Judaisers?) (3:1-4:1

· Practical instructions for life in the church (4:2-9)

· Thanks for a gift to Paul (4:10-20)

· Closing greetings (4:21-23)

(Marshall, “The Theology of Phil.” 126)

Theological Themes

Intimate Relationship with Christ

Close relationship with Christ as the basis of the Christian life is emphasized throughout Philippians. There are 49 references to Jesus in the throughout the letter (Marshall, “The Theology of Phil.” 127). “The phrase ‘in Christ’ (and variants such as ‘in him’) recurs frequently in the letter (Marshall, “Philippians” 319). Paul emphasizes that Christ’s presence is immanent in the church. He is “the person through who God acts for the good of his people, calling them to salvation (3:14), protecting them (4:7) and generously meeting their needs” (Marshall, “Philippians” 320). Paul shares his desire to share in both the suffering and the resurrection of Christ (3:10-11). Martin states, “the last phrase [of Paul’s statement in 3:10-11] is clearly baptismal referring to the representative death of Jesus on the cross in which believers participate as they too die to their old life and are raised to new existence” (134). Thus Paul’s idea of Christian existence is more than just adherence to a set of doctrines or lifestyle; “It is also a spiritual experience of a relationship with God through Christ” (Marshall, “Philippians” 320). The stress on this intimate relationship is “one of the major contributions of Philippians to biblical theology” (Marshall, “Philippians” 320).

Humility of Christ

Philippians 2:6-11 is often classified as an early Christian hymn or the Christ-hymn (Bruce 44; Hawthorne 712). Its language is higher and more rhythmic than the rest of the letter. It pictures Christ as a willing servant who is humble even to the point of death on the cross. I. H. Marshall states, “The hymn culminates in the declaration that Jesus is Lord with the implication that the readers should accept him as Lord—and therefore follow the pattern of life exemplified in him” (“The Theology of Phil.” 136).

Humility of the Church

Paul uses the Christ-hymn as support for his admonition to the church: “In humility consider others better than yourselves” (2:3a). If the church emulates this model set before them by Christ they will be able to truly love one another and “contend as one man” for the sake of the gospel (1:27). “Christian fellowship can be maintained only by humility of spirit [. . .] When believers humbly count others better than themselves they have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:3-5)” (Searle 569). It is by this humility and the Christian love that fuels it that the church can “shine like stars in the universe” (2:15).

Joy

Paul constantly mentions his own joy and admonishes the Christians in Philippi to rejoice (1:18, 19, 21; 2:18-19; 3:1; 4:5). “Joy is not static; Paul summons the church to a daily practice of rejoicing in the knowledge of Christ and his salvation” (Smalley 610). “The theme of joy that runs throughout Philippians has had a profound influence on Christians through the centuries,” states G. F. Hawthorne (713).

Conclusion

Christians must imitate Christ in his humility to have unity in the church. The church may then effectively preach the gospel with joy, intimately trusting in the power of Christ no matter what the circumstances.

Works Cited

Bruce, F. F. Philippians: A Good News Commentary. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.

Hawthorne, G. F. “Letter to the Philippians.” Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Ed. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid. Leicester: InterVarsity P, 1993. 707-713.

Marshall, I. H. “Philippians.” New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Ed. T Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000. 319-322.

- - -. “The Theology of Philippians.” The Theology of the Shorter Pauline Letters. Ed. Karl P. Donfried and Marshall. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1993. 115-174.

Martin, Ralph P. Philippians. Vol. 13 of The New Century Commentary. Ed. Matthew Black. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976.

Searle, D. C. “Humility.” New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Ed. T Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000. 567-569.

Smalley, S. S. “Joy.” New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Ed. T Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000. 608-610.