Philippians is the second of Paul’s prison letters and was written from Rome. On Paul’s second  missionary journey, remember, Paul received a special vision of a man in Macedonia calling for his help (Acts 16v9), a call which Paul answered immediately. Philippi remains in our memory for the imprisonment of Paul and Silas, the earthquake and the jailers question “sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16v30). You could say that it was the first church founded in what we know now as Europe. Philippi was a Roman colony, a place modelled on Rome itself, and situated on the Egnatian way, an important trade route between Rome and Asia. From the foot of Italy you could cross the water and then follow the Egnatian Way all the way to Constantinople. Thessalonica, home of the Thessalonian church,  was also on this road.

Timothy is mentioned in verse 1, just as he is in a number of other letters: Romans, 2 Corinthians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy.

PAULS PRAYERFUL CONCERN FOR OTHERS
Although in prison, Paul could still pray for his friends and chapter 1 (v 3,4) tell us how he had prayed with joy for the Philippian church because, from the first day, they had shared with him in the gospel (v 5). He prayed for them that (v9) their love would overflow more and more with knowledge. Knowledge of what God wanted in their lives would, in turn, produce a “harvest of righteousness” (v11) through Jesus Christ. Paul loved to see Christians living for the glory and praise of God (v11).

The Philippians had, obviously, been concerned about Paul who was, now, under house arrest in Rome but we get a wonderful insight into how effective his message was, even under duress. Everyone in the praetorian guard knew his imprisonment was for Christ (v12, 13); these guards were the elite soldiers who guarded Rome. Paul knew that his imprisonment had actually helped to spread the gospel into the very heart of the Roman Empire. Presumably, many different guards would have been handcuffed to Paul and seen, at close hand, the genuineness of his faith.

REJOICE AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE.
Paul starts teaching about rejoicing which, we will find, becomes the underlying theme of this book. This joy is one that is present, even during suffering. Remember what the prisoners Paul and Silas were doing in prison, even after receiving a severe flogging; they were praying and singing hymns at midnight. “I rejoice, yes and I will continue to rejoice.” (v18)

For Paul, living was Christ and dying was gain (v21). He could rejoice, not knowing whether he would live or die, because by living he could live a fruitful life but it was actually far better for him to die and be with Christ (v22,23). The Philippians were, obviously, suffering persecution as well (v29). Paul called this a privilege and he encouraged them not to be intimidated by their opponents (v28).

LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
Chapter 2 explains how they should live as a body of believers. Paul had already encouraged them (1v27) to live life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ and to stand firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind. Here he reminds them (2v1) what they had experienced in Christ; the comfort they get from His love, their fellowship with the Spirit, His tenderness and compassion. They should have the same love, be of one mind and, in humility, lift up others as better than themselves (v2,3). In fact, they should have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus (v5). Paul reminds them in the following, wonderful passage how Christ emptied himself of his divine rights (v6,7), became in human form like a slave and (v8) was obedient to even death on a cross. His emptying was only temporary for, since then, the Father had exalted Jesus as Lord of all (9-11). It is this same God who works in them (v13) to carry out His purposes. They should not murmur and argue (v14) but live blameless lives in which they shine as stars in the world (v15).

Paul wanted to send them Timothy (v20) and, even though he was like a son to him, Paul was willing to sacrifice that support to bless them. Timothy had a reputation for seeking only the Lord’s interest and not his own. Paul also thought it best that another man, Epaphroditus, who had risked his life to minister to Paul in his need and had nearly died, should also return to Philippi (v25).

REJOICE BECAUSE YOU KNOW CHRIST
Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord (3v1). Four times the word “joy” is mentioned in this short letter and the verb “rejoice” 9 times. Underlying these words is Paul’s heart of joy, honed through obedience and suffering. It is in chapter 3 that we find the source of Paul’s joy, for him, nothing was important except the “surpassing value” of knowing Christ (v8). For Christ’s sake he had been willing to lose all things so that he could gain Christ and be found in Him. His righteousness was not his own but one he received through faith in Christ (v9). Paul wanted (v10) “to know Christ”, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. There are different levels of knowing Him.

Regarding resurrection from the dead, he pressed on towards the goal of the prize of that heavenly call (v14). We have a little bit here about what that day will be like (v20, 21). Our citizenship is in heaven and our mind should not be set on earthly things. Christ, because he has complete authority, will one day appear from heaven and our old bodies will be changed into the body of His glory (v21).

Once again we hear an appeal from Paul for unity in the Lord’s church (4v2). This time for agreement between two ladies Euodia and Syntyche.

REJOICE AGAIN
It seemed that Paul had made his “final” encouragement to rejoice in 3v1 but once again he tells them to “rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say rejoice” (4v4); notice the double reminder. We can be gentle (v5) because the faith life is one of quiet trust in His presence, for the Lord is near (v5). If we follow the guidance of verse 6 to, in everything, “present our requests to God” then anxiety and worry will be replaced by the wonderful peace of God which “passes all understanding.” Our mind can be full of worrying thoughts and our heart disturbing emotions but both can be guarded by the peace of God in Christ. Only in that place of peace can we live the life of verses 8 and 9, focusing on the pure and lovely life of the Spirit.

We are nearing the end of Philippians but just one other thing to rejoice about (v10), the way that they had supported him like no other church, even when he was at other places, like Thessalonica, a city literally down the road! Now we see where Epaphroditus comes in; he was the one who had brought their gifts (v18). Paul was reluctant to mention the word “need” because he had learnt to be satisfied in every circumstance (v11); being able to do “all things through Him” who gave him strength (v13). But their kind of giving was a fragrant offering, a sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God (v18). Likewise, his God could also meet every need of theirs, according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus (v19). A thought that led Paul to one final expression of prayerful praise (v20).

Note that in Paul’s final greetings at the end of the letter (v22) we see that there were Christians in the emperor’s household.