Philippians - Why Paul Wrote Philippians

Today we are asking the question: Why did Paul write this letter? First, it isvery obvious that Paul wrote this letter because the Holy Spirit of the livingGod inspired him to write it. God wanted this letter to become part of thecanon of Scripture—the Word of God that we have for us today.  

God’splan was that this book—written to encourage believers during a difficult timein history—would also be a book that we would need today. It is part of theeternal Word of God. How about that? That is the number one reason Paul wrotethis book.

 

Likemany of Paul’s letters in the New Testament, Philippians was written to addresscertain needs and situations within the church. However, unlike some otherletters such as 1 Corinthians, there were very few serious problems in thiscongregation. Here are several reasons we find inthe letter itself for why Paul wrote it.

 

First,Paul wanted to thank them for the generous gift they had sent to him. Philippians4:18 says: “But I have all and abound. I am full, having received fromEpaphroditus the things which were sent from you.” Epaphroditus had beensent from the church at Philippi to Rome to deliver this gift to the ApostlePaul while he was in prison. That gift helped meet Paul’s needs while he wasunder house arrest there in Rome.

 

Second,Paul wanted to update them about his circumstances. In Philippians 1:12 Paulwrites: “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things whichhappened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel”. Eventhough he was a prisoner—often chained between Roman guards—Paul explains thatthose very circumstances were helping the gospel spread. The guards werehearing the message of Jesus Christ, and other believers were becoming morebold as they saw what God was doing through Paul. So Paul writes to describehis situation and update them, because no doubt they loved him deeply andwanted to know how he was doing.

 

Third,Paul was sending Epaphroditus back to them. In Philippians 2:25, Paul writes: “YetI considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellowworker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to myneed.” Paul goes on to explain that Epaphroditus had been very sick—almostto the point of death—and the believers in Philippi had heard about it and wereconcerned. Paul wanted them to know that he had recovered and was doing well.So Epaphroditus would carry this letter back to the church when he returned.

 

Fourth,Paul wanted to encourage unity within the church. In Philippians 4:2, Paulwrites: “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind inthe Lord.” Even though this church was strong and faithful, there had beensome disagreement between two women in the congregation—Euodia and Syntyche.Paul gently encourages them to be reconciled and to have the same mind in theLord. Of course, earlier in chapter 2 he had already pointed them to theultimate example—the mind of Jesus Christ.

 

Finally,Paul wanted to warn the believers about false teachers and encourage them tocontinue growing in their faith. In Philippians 3:2 he writes: “Beware ofdogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation.” Paul is referringto those who were known as Judaizers—teachers who tried to insist that Gentilebelievers must also be circumcised and follow Jewish law in order to be trulysaved. Paul strongly warned against anyone who tried to add anything to salvationthrough Jesus Christ. He was very aware that after he planted churches, otherssometimes followed behind him spreading false doctrine and confusing newbelievers.

 

Aswe study this book, we will discover that it is a letter filled withgratitude, encouragement, instruction, and love. It reveals the heart of Paul who deeply loved his people and wanted them to continue growing in thegrace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Today, the Lord wants you to also beencouraged and strengthened by these same eternal Words!