The Church at Philippi appears to hcve been one of the purest of the Apostolic age, and beyond any other called out the Apostle’s thankfulness and commendation.

The occasion of the Epistle seems to have been the return of Epaphroditus, who had brought a gift from Paul’s friends in Philippi, but had been seized by a dangerous illness. Paul was a prisoner in his own hired house in Rome and was anticipating his trial before the emperor.

There is nothing controversial in this letter. The peace of God keeps the Apostle’s mind and heart, and out of it pours a tide of deep and tender love. The hope of being alive at Christ’s coming is still his guiding star. His citizenship is in heaven, and all that he has forfeited of earthly wealth and joy is more than compensated for by what he has found in Christ.