Books of the Bible

The Book of Philippians

New Testament · Pauline Epistles · Genre: Epistle · Author: The apostle Paul · Chapters: 4

Philippians is Paul's letter of joy, written from prison to a church he loved. Radiant with gladness despite his chains, it calls believers to rejoice in the Lord always, to have the humble mind of Christ, and to find contentment and peace in him whatever the circumstances.

Start reading: Philippians chapter 1

A key verse

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

The setting and background of Philippians

Philippians is one of Paul's prison letters, written to the church at Philippi, the first he had founded in Europe and one especially dear to him. Though writing in chains, Paul overflows with joy and affection, thanking the Philippians for their partnership in the gospel and their gift to him, and assuring them that his imprisonment has served to advance the good news.

The keynote of the letter is joy that does not depend on circumstances, and at its heart stands the great hymn of Christ, who humbled himself to death on a cross and was exalted to the highest place. Paul calls believers to that same humble mind, to unity, to pressing on toward the goal of knowing Christ, and to rejoicing and prayer in place of anxiety.

Philippians was written to encourage a beloved church and to model a joy and contentment rooted in Christ rather than in circumstances. In the sweep of Scripture it is beloved as the epistle of joy, and its great hymn of Christ's humility and exaltation is one of the most important New Testament passages about the person of Christ, while its counsel to rejoice always has comforted believers in every kind of trial.

The story and structure of Philippians

Philippians was written by Paul from prison to a church he loved dearly, the first he had founded in Europe. Though writing in chains, he overflows with joy and affection, thanking the Philippians for their partnership in the gospel and their gift to him, and assuring them that his imprisonment has actually served to advance the gospel.

The keynote of the letter is joy, a joy that does not depend on circumstances. Paul can say that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain, and he rejoices whether he is set free or gives his life, so long as Christ is honored. His contentment amid suffering is itself a powerful witness to the sufficiency of Christ.

At the heart of the letter is the great hymn of Christ, who, though he was in the form of God, did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, humbling himself even to death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him and gave him the name above every name, at which every knee will bow. Paul holds this up as the pattern of the humble, self-giving mind believers are to share.

Paul urges the Philippians toward unity and humility, counting others more significant than themselves, and warns against those who would rob them of the gospel of grace. He counts everything he once prized as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, and presses on toward the goal, the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The letter's final counsel has comforted countless believers: to rejoice in the Lord always, to be anxious for nothing but in everything to pray with thanksgiving, and to receive the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. Paul has learned to be content in any circumstance, whether in plenty or in want, for he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.

The great themes of Philippians

Key passages in Philippians

Philippians in the sweep of Scripture

Philippians is beloved as the epistle of joy, a letter that radiates gladness and contentment from the most unlikely of places, a prison cell. Its great hymn of Christ's humility and exaltation is one of the most important passages in the New Testament about the person of Christ, and its counsel to rejoice always and to be anxious for nothing has brought comfort and steadiness to believers in every kind of trial, showing that true joy and peace rest not in circumstances but in the Lord.

Where Christ is in Philippians

Philippians lifts up Jesus, who humbled himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted above every name, as both our Saviour and the pattern of humble, joyful love. He is the surpassing treasure for whom Paul counts all else as loss, the source of a peace that surpasses understanding, and the one who strengthens his people to be content and to do all things in him.

How to read Philippians well

Read Philippians when your circumstances are hard, letting its joy lift you and its contentment steady you, remembering that Paul wrote it from prison. Take to heart the humble mind of Christ as the shape of true greatness, counting others more significant than yourself. And when anxiety presses in, follow its counsel to rejoice, to pray with thanksgiving, and to receive the peace of God, resting in the Christ who strengthens you for all things.

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