返回Preface
Preface
Preface
The Philippians are inhabitants of the city of Philippi, located in Macedonia and named after its founder Philip; at that time they were under the jurisdiction of the metropolis of Thessalonica. Paul speaks much good of them. He wrote this epistle while he was in chains, since after the first defense at trial, which he mentions in the Epistle to Timothy, he was again taken into chains. The Philippians, having sent him everything needful through Epaphroditus, at the same time wished to know about him. Being confident that the Philippians were anxious, having heard that their teacher was imprisoned in chains, he writes them this epistle, teaching them that his chains should produce in them not anxiety but joy, since they are for Christ's sake. He advises them to be of one mind and humble in spirit. He also exposes those among the Jews who, under the cover of Christianity, harm the teaching, and calls them dogs and evil workers. He speaks much to them about the manner of life. He prudently mentions the gifts sent by them to him; he evidently treats them with respect, because they displayed great virtue and readiness for the faith. Here was a woman who traded in purple cloth; here the ruler of the synagogue believed; here Paul, after being beaten, was imprisoned together with Silas; here the jailer, struck by a single sign, believed in Christ with his entire household; here also the military commanders, fearing Paul, asked him to depart. In general, Paul's preaching had a brilliant beginning, as is known to us from the Acts. And here Paul testifies not only to the right faith of the Philippians and to the dangers to which they too were exposed on account of the faith, but also to their good generosity toward those in need. For all these reasons he shows how greatly he loves and respects them.
The Philippians are inhabitants of the city of Philippi, located in Macedonia and named after its founder Philip; at that time they were under the jurisdiction of the metropolis of Thessalonica. Paul speaks much good of them. He wrote this epistle while he was in chains, since after the first defense at trial, which he mentions in the Epistle to Timothy, he was again taken into chains. The Philippians, having sent him everything needful through Epaphroditus, at the same time wished to know about him. Being confident that the Philippians were anxious, having heard that their teacher was imprisoned in chains, he writes them this epistle, teaching them that his chains should produce in them not anxiety but joy, since they are for Christ's sake. He advises them to be of one mind and humble in spirit. He also exposes those among the Jews who, under the cover of Christianity, harm the teaching, and calls them dogs and evil workers. He speaks much to them about the manner of life. He prudently mentions the gifts sent by them to him; he evidently treats them with respect, because they displayed great virtue and readiness for the faith. Here was a woman who traded in purple cloth; here the ruler of the synagogue believed; here Paul, after being beaten, was imprisoned together with Silas; here the jailer, struck by a single sign, believed in Christ with his entire household; here also the military commanders, fearing Paul, asked him to depart. In general, Paul's preaching had a brilliant beginning, as is known to us from the Acts. And here Paul testifies not only to the right faith of the Philippians and to the dangers to which they too were exposed on account of the faith, but also to their good generosity toward those in need. For all these reasons he shows how greatly he loves and respects them.