12/22/2024 – Day 182 – Philippians – Chapters 1 & 2 / Background of Philippians and Chapter 1 excerpt commentary from “Halley’s Bible Handbook” / Post 3 of 3
Our reading this day, in our first cycle dated 11/15/2020 has a timeline for all of Paul gospels. Paul’s 1st missionary up until is martyrdom at the hands of the Romans spanned from 45 A.D. until 68 A.D. Philippians was written during his first Roman imprisonment from Rome, 61 or 62 A.D.
So, let’s get started from Henry H. Halley’s 23rd edition dated 1962. The original copyright was 1927. (Reference Library of Congress Card Number: 32-8057). Let’s get started:
“The Church in Philippi
This was Paul’s first European Church. Founded about A.D. 51, in the early part of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey (Acts 16). Lydia and the Jailor were among the converts. Luke, the beloved physician, was its pastor the first six years.
It may have been Luke’s home, where he practiced medicine. Luke must have had a hand in the development of the unspotted character of the Church. As far as we know, the Philippian Church was one of the purest of New Testament Churches.”
“Occasion of the Letter
Paul was in prison in Rome, A.D. 61-63, about ten years after he had founded the Church in Philippi, and about three or four years after he had last visited there. Apparently (4:10), he had begun to wonder if they had forgotten him. Then Epaphroditus arrived from far away Philippi with an offering of money. Paul was deeply touched. Epaphroditus had nearly lost his life, in the journey. When he recovered (2: 25-30; 4:18), Paul sent him to Philippi with this beautiful letter.”
“Chapter 1. The Gospel in Rome
Timothy (1), probably wrote the Letter at Paul’s dictation. He had helped Paul found the Philippian church. So Paul had him join in the salutation. Timothy had also helped in the writing of II Corinthians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, and Philemon.
Paul’s Prayer for Them (3 – 11). Thus he nearly always starts his Letters. Compare the beautiful prayers of Ephesians 1: 16:23; 3: 14-19; Colossians 1: 9 – 12. ‘Fellowship in the furtherance of the Godpel’ (5): this refers to the offerings of money which they had sent him. This made them sharers in his work. (See further under 4:17.) ‘Bowels’ (8; 2:1): this is one of the instances where the Revised Version, ‘tender mercies’ is a better translation than the King James Version.
The Gospel Growing in Rome (12-18). His coming to Rome as a prisoner had turned out to be a help rather than a hindrance in making Christ known in the Imperial City. Had given access to official circles, so that he had some converts in Nero’s court (4:22). As he had rejoiced that night in the Philippian jail (Acts 16:25), so now he was rejoicing in his Roman chains (18).
Paul’s Desire for Death (19-26). No doubt there were ever present pains in his scarred and broken body from repeated stoning and beatings. An old man. He knew the churches needed him. But he longed to go home. Still it was no great matter. In prison or in Paradise Christ was his Life and Joy. Whether he was to depart or remain was in God’s hands. He was hoping to return to Philippi (26; 2:24).
The Sufferings of the Philippians (27-30). It had been ten years, and they were still being persecuted. Paul kept his eye on the day of vindication, when tables would be turned, and persecutors would reap what they had sown (28; II Thessalonians 1:5-10.”
Soli Deo Gloria!