Introduction to the Book of Philippians
Introduction
Paul’s short epistle to the Philippians was in essence a thank you letter to a church in Philippi that he himself had established sometime during his second missionary journey (Acts 16:12). The tone of the epistle is apparent, Paul regards the Philippi church dear to his heart and it is also apparent that the church’s sentiments towards Paul are similar (Phil 1:7). The epistle is Paul’s response to the Philippi church where he takes the time to express his adoration and thanks them for gifts sent to him during his time of imprisonment in Rome. Additionally Paul takes the time to encourage the Philippians to rejoice in the Gospel and follow in Christ’s footsteps.
In the greeting portion …show more content…
Many scholars have come to the conclusion that the Bible does not verify a record of imprisonment for Paul in Ephesus. However, it is important to note that 2 Corinthians does lead one to believe that Paul was imprisoned more times than the few specific occasions mentioned in the Bible. With that being said, he does use verbiage in several of his writings that would lead one to believe he was imprisoned in Ephesus, but he never really clarifies that he was actually imprisoned there. For instance, in Romans 16:7, he speaks of being a prisoner with Andronicus and Junia—presumably in Ephesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:32, Paul speaks of fighting with “wild animals at Ephesus.” Some scholars that buy into the theory that Paul was imprisoned at Ephesus imply that Paul was referring to hardships incurred while in prison when he uses the “wild animals” reference. Robert Jewett in his article titled “Paul the Apostle,” comes to the conclusion that Philippians was written while in Ephesus shortly after Paul’s experience with the rioters mentioned in Acts 19:23–41, presumably the “wild animals” Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 15:32. F. M. Gillman also places Philippian origin in Ephesus Finally, in 2 Corinthians 1:8, Paul speaks of the affliction he experienced while in Asia. While one might come to the conclusion that Paul did spend time imprisoned in Ephesus, he never really comes out and says it. Futhermore, his descriptions of his experiences there are not in line with Paul’s captivity experiences as described in
Introduction
Paul’s short epistle to the Philippians was in essence a thank you letter to a church in Philippi that he himself had established sometime during his second missionary journey (Acts 16:12). The tone of the epistle is apparent, Paul regards the Philippi church dear to his heart and it is also apparent that the church’s sentiments towards Paul are similar (Phil 1:7). The epistle is Paul’s response to the Philippi church where he takes the time to express his adoration and thanks them for gifts sent to him during his time of imprisonment in Rome. Additionally Paul takes the time to encourage the Philippians to rejoice in the Gospel and follow in Christ’s footsteps.
In the greeting portion …show more content…
Many scholars have come to the conclusion that the Bible does not verify a record of imprisonment for Paul in Ephesus. However, it is important to note that 2 Corinthians does lead one to believe that Paul was imprisoned more times than the few specific occasions mentioned in the Bible. With that being said, he does use verbiage in several of his writings that would lead one to believe he was imprisoned in Ephesus, but he never really clarifies that he was actually imprisoned there. For instance, in Romans 16:7, he speaks of being a prisoner with Andronicus and Junia—presumably in Ephesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:32, Paul speaks of fighting with “wild animals at Ephesus.” Some scholars that buy into the theory that Paul was imprisoned at Ephesus imply that Paul was referring to hardships incurred while in prison when he uses the “wild animals” reference. Robert Jewett in his article titled “Paul the Apostle,” comes to the conclusion that Philippians was written while in Ephesus shortly after Paul’s experience with the rioters mentioned in Acts 19:23–41, presumably the “wild animals” Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 15:32. F. M. Gillman also places Philippian origin in Ephesus Finally, in 2 Corinthians 1:8, Paul speaks of the affliction he experienced while in Asia. While one might come to the conclusion that Paul did spend time imprisoned in Ephesus, he never really comes out and says it. Futhermore, his descriptions of his experiences there are not in line with Paul’s captivity experiences as described in