Study 0 From the Book of
Philippians is: The Introduction of the Book of Philippians
Paul had a special love for
the Christians in the church at Philippi (see 1:8; 4:1). From the beginning,
they had entered into his labours and sufferings with financial support and
prayerful personal interest (1:5, 19; 4:15, 16). Shortly before this letter was written they
had greatly encouraged him by sending a gift to Rome, where he was a prisoner
(4:10, 14, 18). His letter is marked to an unusual degree by personal affection
for his readers, and consists largely of an account of his personal experience
of Christ, with special reference to his circumstances as a prisoner.
The church in Philippi
seems to have been singularly free from both serious error in doctrine and
moral lapses. At the same time, there
were threatening dangers. A measure of friction had arisen between certain
members, and in the earlier part of the letter Paul urges the importance of
being of one mind in the Lord. He also warns them against other dangers, and
urges them to stand fast in the Lord. It is in this connection that the main
doctrinal passages of the letter occur, namely in 2:5-11 and 3:1-21.
The letter is dominated by
a spirit of joy and peace, and is an outstanding witness to the power of Christ
to lift the person weighed down with the sorrow and suffering of earth to
rejoicing and gladness in the Lord.
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