A Background Study on

The Book of Philippians

Nathaniel B Parker

BE7404: Preparing an Expository Message

October 5, 2016
 A Background Study on

The Book of Philippians

Date

Determining when the book of Philippians was written hinges on first determining where

the book was written (see: “Place of Writing”). If the book of Philippians were written from

Rome (the traditionally held view), then the date of the writing would be around AD 60-63. If

written from Ephesus, around AD 54-57; if written from Corinth, around AD 50; and if written

from Caesarea, around AD 58-60.1 A time frame between the mid 50s to early 60s seems likely

regardless of one’s position of where the book was written.2 If written near the end of Paul’s

imprisonment in Rome, a date for around AD 61 would be the most likely date.3

Authorship

Scholars generally affirm Pauline authorship of the book of Philippians, especially in

light of the book’s internal evidence which makes the case of Paul as the author of the book

(Philippians 1:1). MacArthur’s affirmation of the book of Philippians to indisputably Paul states:

The divinely inspired text of Philippians introduces Paul as the author (1:1), thus making
his authorship indisputable. In fact, except for a few radical nineteenth-century critics, the
Pauline authorship of Philippians has never been questioned. Today most scholars, no
matter what their theological persuasion, accept it as a genuine Pauline epistle.4

With that said, there are a few arguments against Pauline authorship to the book of

Philippians, whether in terms of the book as a whole or portions of the book. The main portion of
———————————
1.
Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid, eds., Dictionary of Paul and
His Letters (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 711.
2.
D. A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament, Second
Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), 506–07.
3.
John F. MacArthur, Jr., Philippians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago,
IL: Moody Press, 2001), 7.
4.
Ibid., 4–5.

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the book that has seen arguments against Pauline authorship is Philippians 2:5-11 (the “hymn”).

Some scholars deny Pauline authorship to this hymn stating that it was pre-Pauline in style and

wording (possibly from the early church in Palestine), whereas others affirm Pauline authorship

to the hymn but do not take the hymn to be original to the book of Philippians and was inserted

into the book by Paul.5

The four major views concerning the authorship of the book of Philippians are as follows.

The first view denies Pauline authorship to the book in its entirety. This viewpoint was held

mostly by nineteenth century scholars who argued the style of the book, particularly the “hymn”,

was not Pauline. The second view argues that the book contains a mixture of Pauline and non-

Pauline writing. Some argue the mixture was present from the composition of the letter, whereas

others argue for the addition of the material by a redactor at a later time. The third view (and

most popular view) affirms Pauline authorship to the entire letter, including the hymn. Some

scholars that adhere to this view are comfortable with also accepting the possibility of the hymn

being written by Paul at a prior date and later incorporated into the book. The fourth view affirms

Pauline authorship to the book, but also accepts the possibility of Paul using and incorporating

other Christian material into his writing, such as the hymn. In evaluation of the views, the third

view is the view held by the majority of scholars and is the most likely and accepted view and the

recommended view. However, the fourth view is still possible and can be held by conservative

evangelical scholars without compromising the affirmation of the book to Pauline authorship.

The first two views are highly unlikely concerning the four views and are not widely accepted

among a range of scholars in present times.6

Another minor discussion concerning the authorship of the book of Philippians is the

mention of Timothy in the introduction of the book. While Timothy is indeed mentioned in the
———————————
5.
Carson and Moo, 499–500.
6.
David Noel Freedman, et al., The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (New York, NY:
Doubleday, 1992), 319.
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introduction, such a mention does not weaken the affirmation of the authorship of the book to

Paul as the sole author.The personal tone and writing of the book clearly argues for the

responsibility of the contents of the book being from Paul and not from multiple authors.7

Setting/Historical Context

Paul founded the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey with Silas,

Timothy, and possibly a third individual whose name has not been identified. The founding of

this church would have been the first church founded in Europe, launching Christianity in

Europe. The church’s first convert was a woman, Lydia, which was fitting as women had an

important role in both the social life of Macedonia and even in the Philippian church. Philippi

was also a place where Paul encountered persecution during his ministry.8

Paul visited Philippi after having a vision to go to Macedonia while he was in Troas. The

church’s first convert (Lydia) was a wealthy businesswoman who was previously a pagan but

later feared God and was accepting of the Jewish faith before coming to salvation in Christ.

Another convert in Philippi was a Roman soldier whom Paul met in prison in which both the

soldier and his family came to salvation in Christ. The Philippian church was made up primarily

of Greeks, and both Paul and the church had a mutual love and Christian bond for each other.9

While Gentiles made up the majority of the Philippian church, Jews were among some of the first

converts of the church. The church had contributed donations to Paul’s ministry, and the book of

Philippians included a letter of thanks for the church’s support.10

While Philippi was originally a Greek village, it became known as a “little Rome”.11
———————————
7.
Hawthorne, Martin, and Reid, 708.
8.
Freedman, et al., 318.
9.
Hawthorne, Martin, and Reid, 708.
10.
Ibid., 4.
11.
Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg Books Ed (Minneapolis, MN:
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Philippi was an important city in eastern Macedonia, in which a major Roman Road (the Via

Egnatia) ran through the city. Nearby mountains housed gold mines which made the city

prosperous and an appealing city to fold into a ruler’s empire. Philip II (a Greek ruler) renamed

the city after himself when bringing the city under his submission. The citizens of Philppi had

equal status with the citizens of Rome, and Roman culture influenced their architecture, styles of

clothing, etc.12 Philippi’s absorption into the Roman Empire took place during the reign of

Augustus.13

Purpose/Occasion/Recipients

Because the citizens of Philippi were proud of both their city and Roman culture, Paul

wrote the book of Philippians to the church in Philippi to emphasize the fact of the Christian’s

heavenly citizenship. He wanted the Philippian Christians to reflect on their citizenship in a far

better place than merely their Roman citizenship in Philippi, With this viewpoint in mind, he

encouraged the church in Philippi to act in a matter worthy of their heavenly citizenship and

under the commands and ruling of Christ.14

There are a number of other issues concerning the purpose of Paul’s writing the book of

Philippians. One of these was the issue concerning the health of Epaphroditus, one of Paul’s

fellow ministry workers. The Philippian church had heard of the health issues concerning

Epaphroditus and was concerned for his health, but the church was not aware that his health

issues led to a near-death experience for Epaphroditus. Paul was therefore writing the Philippian

church to inform them of the seriousness concerning one of his and their fellow ministry
———————————

Augsburg, 2001), 624.

and Paul wanted to include a note of thanks in his letter to them for their generosity and ministry

support. Third, Paul wished to inform the Philippian church of his current circumstances. While

he is in prison for his faith during the writing of the book of Philippians and needs and welcomes

the prayers of the Philippian church, his imprisonment and persecution for his faith has not been

in vain. It has resulted in the spreading of the Gospel. A fourth issue concerning his writing is his

sending and recommending of Timothy (another one of Paul’s fellow ministry workers) to them,

as well as Paul is preparing that he too will visit the church shortly after being released from his

imprisonment.15

Understanding the central message concerning the book of Philippians is vital for a proper

exegesis when studying the book. While the book contains a beautiful and high Christology,

Paul’s “thank you letter” to the Philippian church, etc., none of these are the central message

concerning the book of Philippians. According to Brown, the central message “to the Philippians

addresses the question of how to live as a Christian in a non-believing world.”16 The Philippian

Christians are to “to live within society in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”17 Keeping

this central message in mind allows readers of the book of Philippians to better understand Paul’s

major purpose for writing to the church in Philippi as well as its application for believers today

who are also living in a non-Christian world.

Place of Writing

Three main possibilities exist for the place where Paul wrote the book of Philippians, and

one’s view concerning the place of writing affects the date of when Paul wrote the book of
———————————
15.
Carson and Moo, 507–08.
16.
Derek R. Brown and Douglas Mangum, eds., Lexham Bible Guide: Philippians
(Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013), Introduction to Philippians.
17.
Ibid.
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Philippians (see: “Date”). Regardless of one’s view concerning the place of writing, Paul wrote

while in a prison. The three main possibilities concerning the place of Paul’s writing the book of

Philippians are: Rome, Ephesus, or Caeserea. Scholars traditionally adhere to Paul writing the

book of Philippians while in Rome. However, the distance between Rome and Philippi has led

some scholars to reconsider this viewpoint. Between Caesarea and Ephesus, Ephesus has been

held as the more likely of the two views due to its closeness to Philippi.18 The way Philippians

utilizes a similar style and integration with other Pauline epistles written in Ephesus also favors

an Ephesian writing for the book for some modern scholars.19 Those arguing for Caesarea do so

on the grounds that it best fits the circumstances outlined in Acts 24 and seems to fit the

circumstances Paul mentions throughout the book of Philippians in light of placing the writing of

Philippians around the circumstances of Acts 24.20 Such circumstances are both the lengthy

imprisonment of Paul and the allowing of the friends of Paul to visit Paul while he was in

prison.21

A fourth possibility exists concerning where Paul could have written the book of

Philippians, Corinth. Of all four locations argued, Corinth is the closest location to Philippi.22

However, Ephesus still comes out at the strongest of the alternative views concerning where Paul

could have written the book of Philippians in terms of modern day scholars.

The traditionally held view that Paul wrote the book of Philippians in Rome is the

strongest of all four views and the most likely and recommended view. MacArthur argues

brilliantly for the traditional Roman view concerning the place of the writing of the book of
———————————
18.
Carson and Moo, 503–06.
19.
Freedman, et al., 322–23.
20.
Hawthorne, Martin, and Reid, 711.
21.
Freedman, et al., 322.
22.
Hawthorne, Martin, and Reid, 710–11.
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Philippians when he says: “The evidence that Paul wrote Philippians from Rome is impressive.

The terms ‘praetorian guard’ (1:13) and ‘Caesar’s household’ (4:22) are most naturally

understood as references to the emperor’s bodyguard and servants stationed in Rome. The details

of Paul’s imprisonment as recorded in Acts harmonize well with those in Philippians.”23 He goes

onto present the strongest case concerning the traditional Roman view of place of writing when

he says:

The most convincing argument that Paul wrote Philippians from Rome lies in the decisive
nature of the verdict the apostle expected. He would either be set free, as he confidently
hoped (1:19, 24–26; 2:24), or executed (1:20–21, 23). Either way, the decision in his case
would be final, and there would be no appeal. That fact appears to rule out both Caesarea
and Ephesus, since as a Roman citizen Paul could (and did—Acts 25:11–12) exercise his
right to appeal to the emperor (what one writer referred to as Paul’s “trump card”) from
those cities.24

MacArthur goes onto conclude: “Since Rome fits the known facts of Paul’s

imprisonment, and Caesarea and Ephesus do not, there is no reason to reject the traditional view

that Paul wrote Philippians near the end of his first Roman imprisonment (c. A.D. 61).”25 In light

of the various views above, the place of writing the book of Philipppians is most likely and

recommended to be the view of Rome, with Ephesus being less likely yet the majority alternative

view concerning the place of writing the book of Philippians among some modern scholars, with

Caesarea and Corinth being the two least likely views concerning place of writing.

———————————
23.
MacArthur, 5.
24.
Ibid., 6.
25.
Ibid., 7.
 WORKS CITED

Brown, Derek R., and Douglas Mangum, eds. Lexham Bible Guide: Philippians. Bellingham,
WA: Lexham Press, 2013.

Carson, D. A., and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. Second Edition.
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.

Freedman, David Noel, et al. The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary. New York, NY: Doubleday,
1992.

Hawthorne, Gerald F., Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His
Letters. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Knowles, Andrew. The Bible Guide. 1st Augsburg Books Ed. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg,
2001.

Lang, David, and James F. Davis. The Accordance Bible Lands PhotoGuide. Accordance
Electronic Ed., Version 2.1. Altamonte Springs, FL: OakTree Software, 2014.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. Philippians. MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago, IL:
Moody Press, 2001.