Quizzing the New Testament : Philippians

Answer: It was the first church that Paul founded in Europe.

Paul visited Philippi on his second missionary journey. Whilst in the town of Troas, in Asia Minor, he had a dream in which a man implored him to visit Macedonia. Taking this to be the prompting of the Holy Spirit, he crossed the Aegean sea to Europe. Philippi was the first town where Paul stopped for any length of time and he founded a church there based around a woman named Lydia and her household (Acts 20).

Answer: :) Happy face

Paul wrote many of his letters to address specific problems or issues which had arisen. That, however, is not the case here. Although there is the odd word of warning and advice, Paul appears to be writing to friends in whom he genuinely delights.

Answer: To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi

"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1 v. 1-2)

The word "saint", as Paul uses it, does not have the same meaning as its modern counterpart. It has roots in the Greek word that means "holy" and is used of those things that belong to God or that God chooses to use. Thus, Paul uses it of all Christians on the grounds that they belong to God.

Answer: The Philippians being like-minded

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." (Philippians 2 v. 1-2)

Paul does not point to any significant problem within the Philippian church that leads him to make this request. His comments may be in contrast to chapter 1 where he speaks of those who "preach Christ out of envy and rivalry" (Philippians 1 v. 15). They may also look forward to the following chapter and making a united stand against those who advocate circumcision (Philippians 3 v. 2-4) or to the squabbling between Euodia and Syntyche, two women who belong to the Philippian church (Philippians 4 v. 2).

Answer: An early Christian hymn

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2 v. 5-11)

Some scholars have seen these verses as a reflection upon John's account of the last supper (John 13) in the light of the crucifixion and resurrection. On that occasion, Jesus stripped away his outer garments and performed the slave's task of washing feet before returning to his rightful place at the table. He comments to his disciples, "You call me "Teacher" and "Lord," and rightly so, for that is what I am" (John 13 v. 13).

Answer: The Israelite tribe from which he is descended

"If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless." Philippians 3 v. 4-6)

Paul is seeking to underline his Jewish credentials as he does in other letters when facing similar opponents.

Answer: In heaven

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ ..." (Philippians 3 v. 20)

The significance of this statement lies in the fact that, although located in Macedonia, Philippi was a Roman colony. That meant that its people enjoyed all the rights and privileges of Roman citizens. It was, literally, a part of Rome in Greece. Paul makes use of the analogy, not only to confirm that Christians enjoy all the rights and privileges of heaven, but also that, as Christians gather, they are a part of heaven on earth.

Answer: Timothy

"I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you." (Philippians 2 v. 19)

Paul describes Timothy as being like a son to him (Philippians 3 v. 22) and, in the letter's opening verse, affords him the unique honour of bracketing their names together as "servants of Christ Jesus". Timothy is used extensively by Paul in the New Testament and is sent on a variety of different missions.

Answer: Rejoice

The word "rejoice" occurs eight times in Philippians and "joy" six. This is hugely disproportionate compared to other New Testament epistles, even before taking into account the short length of the book. Paul begins in the opening chapter by stating that he rejoices even when Christ is being preached for the wrong reasons (Philippians 1 v. 18), and also rejoices in his imprisonment because he knows that good will come from it (Philippians 1 v. 19). Clearly Paul is conscious of his repeated appeal, because he twice uses the word "again" - here and at the beginning of chapter 3.

Answer: Clement

"I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life." (Philippians 4 v. 2-3)

There have been attempts to identify Clement of Rome with the Clement named in Philippians but there is insufficient evidence to form any definitive conclusions. Consideration has also been given to the identity of the "loyal yokefellow". One plausible possibility is that this is Luke, largely based upon the evidence of Acts. Luke writes about Paul's second missionary journey in the third person until Paul and his companions reach Troas when he switches to first person. They cross into Europe (Acts 16) and to Philippi, after which the text reverts back to third person. Paul's journey continues through Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus and other towns before returning to Philippi where the first person resumes (Acts 20). The inference is that Luke was left in Philippi, which may even have been his home town.