Revision #12247
Philippians
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
=
- Philippians is one of the Pauline epistles in the New Testament. It is a letter sent in the names of Paul and Timothy to the saints of the church at Philippi, "with the bishops and deacons" (Philippians 1:1). Because Paul wrote it while in custody, it is grouped with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon as one of the "Prison Epistles" (letters written from prison).
+ Philippians is one of the Pauline epistles in the New Testament. It is a letter sent in the names of Paul and Timothy to the saints of the church at Philippi, "with the bishops and deacons" (Philippians 1:1). Because Paul wrote it while in custody, it is grouped with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon among the "Prison Epistles," letters written from prison.
=
= ## Biblical and Historical Background
=
- Philippi was a Roman colony in the region of Macedonia. According to Acts 16, during his second missionary journey Paul preached the gospel there to Lydia, a seller of purple cloth, and to the household of the jailer. This church is known as the first church established on European soil. The Philippian church sent a gift to Paul through Epaphroditus, and the letter expresses Paul's gratitude for it (Philippians 4:18).
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- The place of writing is traditionally held to be a prison in Rome, but some scholars propose Ephesus or Caesarea, and the question remains unresolved. Philippians 2:6-11 is a passage that celebrates in hymnic form how Christ emptied himself, became human, was obedient unto death on the cross, and was then exalted. Known as the "Christ Hymn," it serves as a key text for discussions of the Incarnation and Christology.
+ Philippi was a Roman colony in the region of Macedonia. According to Acts 16, Paul preached the gospel there during his second missionary journey to Lydia, a seller of purple, and to the household of the jailer. The church at Philippi is known as the first church founded on European soil. It later sent Paul a gift through Epaphroditus, and the letter expresses Paul's gratitude for it (Philippians 4:18).
=
- ## Use in the Korean Church
+ The place of writing is traditionally identified as a prison in Rome, although some scholars propose Ephesus or Caesarea; the question remains unresolved. Philippians 2:6-11 celebrates in hymnic form how Christ emptied himself, became human, was obedient unto death on the cross, and was then exalted. Known as the "Christ Hymn," the passage is a key text for the doctrines of the Incarnation and Christology.
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- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13) is one of the most frequently quoted verses in the Korean church. It is often used to encourage those facing university entrance examinations or new business ventures, and it frequently serves as a church motto. At the same time, some within the church point out that because the preceding verses (4:11-12) speak of learning contentment in both poverty and abundance, reading this verse as a promise of success departs from its original meaning. "Rejoice in the Lord alway" (4:4) and "I press toward the mark" (3:14) are also widely used as memory verses and New Year mottos.
+ ## Use and Interpretation in the Church
=
- In churches that follow a lectionary (a list of readings arranged according to the church year), Philippians 2:5-11 is read on Palm Sunday.
+ In churches that follow a lectionary, a set list of readings arranged according to the church year, Philippians 2:5-11 is read on Palm Sunday.
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= Philippians 2:12-13 ("work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you") is read with differing emphases depending on denominational tradition.
- - The Calvinist tradition, including Presbyterians, places weight on verse 13 and holds that sanctification (the process of being made holy) is likewise accomplished by God's grace.
+ - The Calvinist tradition, including Presbyterians, places weight on verse 13 and holds that sanctification, the process of being made holy, is likewise accomplished by God's grace.
= - The Wesleyan tradition, including Methodists and Holiness churches, tends to emphasize the human response to and cooperation with grace as well.
+
+ In Korean Protestant churches, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13) is one of the most frequently quoted verses. It is often used to encourage people facing university entrance examinations or business ventures and is commonly adopted as a church motto. Some within the Korean church, however, point out that because the preceding verses (4:11-12) speak of learning contentment in both poverty and abundance, reading the verse as a promise of success departs from its original meaning. "Rejoice in the Lord alway" (4:4) and "I press toward the mark" (3:14) are also widely used there as memory verses and New Year mottos.
Philippians is the eleventh book of the New Testament, a letter the apostle Paul sent while imprisoned to the church at Philippi in Macedonia. It consists of four chapters, and because its exhortation to "rejoice" recurs throughout, it is also called the "Epistle of Joy."
Philippians is the eleventh book of the New Testament, a letter the apostle Paul wrote while imprisoned to the church at Philippi in Macedonia. It has four chapters, and because its exhortation to "rejoice" recurs throughout, it is also called the "Epistle of Joy."
Full revision
Philippians is the eleventh book of the New Testament, a letter the apostle Paul wrote while imprisoned to the church at Philippi in Macedonia. It has four chapters, and because its exhortation to "rejoice" recurs throughout, it is also called the "Epistle of Joy."
Definition and Meaning
Philippians is one of the Pauline epistles in the New Testament. It is a letter sent in the names of Paul and Timothy to the saints of the church at Philippi, "with the bishops and deacons" (Philippians 1:1). Because Paul wrote it while in custody, it is grouped with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon among the "Prison Epistles," letters written from prison.
Biblical and Historical Background
Philippi was a Roman colony in the region of Macedonia. According to Acts 16, Paul preached the gospel there during his second missionary journey to Lydia, a seller of purple, and to the household of the jailer. The church at Philippi is known as the first church founded on European soil. It later sent Paul a gift through Epaphroditus, and the letter expresses Paul's gratitude for it (Philippians 4:18).
The place of writing is traditionally identified as a prison in Rome, although some scholars propose Ephesus or Caesarea; the question remains unresolved. Philippians 2:6-11 celebrates in hymnic form how Christ emptied himself, became human, was obedient unto death on the cross, and was then exalted. Known as the "Christ Hymn," the passage is a key text for the doctrines of the Incarnation and Christology.
Use and Interpretation in the Church
In churches that follow a lectionary, a set list of readings arranged according to the church year, Philippians 2:5-11 is read on Palm Sunday.
Philippians 2:12-13 ("work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you") is read with differing emphases depending on denominational tradition.
- The Calvinist tradition, including Presbyterians, places weight on verse 13 and holds that sanctification, the process of being made holy, is likewise accomplished by God's grace.
- The Wesleyan tradition, including Methodists and Holiness churches, tends to emphasize the human response to and cooperation with grace as well.
In Korean Protestant churches, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13) is one of the most frequently quoted verses. It is often used to encourage people facing university entrance examinations or business ventures and is commonly adopted as a church motto. Some within the Korean church, however, point out that because the preceding verses (4:11-12) speak of learning contentment in both poverty and abundance, reading the verse as a promise of success departs from its original meaning. "Rejoice in the Lord alway" (4:4) and "I press toward the mark" (3:14) are also widely used there as memory verses and New Year mottos.