Lesson No. 14

PHILIPPIANS

KEY WORD—“REJOICING.”

KEY VERSE—Philippians 4:4.

KEY PHRASE—“THE JOY OF CHRISTIAN UNITY SHOULD BE PRESERVED.”

WRITER—Paul.

DATE and PLACE—62 A.D., during his first imprisonment at Rome.

PHILLIPI was named after Phillip II King of Macedonia, and father of Alexander the Great. It is famous in Roman history as the place of the defeat of the republic and the rise of the empire, 42 B.C. A spirit is supposed to have appeared to Brutus, the leader of the republican army, and said to him, “I am thy evil genius, we will meet again at Philippi!”

It will be always famous for Paul’s imprisonment, the earthquake and the conversion of the Philippian jailer. It was here that the first church in Europe was set up by Paul in 62 A.D. Acts 16:12-32.

THE CHURCH was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey, and seems to have been free from Jewish troubles, and the errors in doctrine, that so endangered most of the other churches. Indeed, it was Paul’s favorite church, ever showing their loyalty to him and their affection for him by messages of love and mission offerings.

OCCASION—The church had sent Paul a contribution for his support while in prison and unable to provide for himself. The bearer of the gift, Epaphroditus, was taken dangerously sick at Rome, but having recovered and being about to return home, Paul takes the opportunity of writing this letter to the noble church.

PURPOSE—

1.     To express Paul’s Christian love to the church for their devotion to him.

2. To exhort them to press toward the mark of high Christian character, and to sound the depths of real Christian joy.

Great Fact I -- Rejoicing in Christ’s Life.

Great Fact II -- Rejoicing in Christ’s Example.

Great Fact III -- Rejoicing in Christ’s Righteousness, Fellowship and Coming.

Great Fact IV -- Rejoicing in Christ’s Strength.