Free Bible Commentary
“Introduction to Philippians”
Categories: PhilippiansThe city of Philippi derived its name from the ancient Greek king, Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. He rebuilt the city of Krenides in the 4th century B.C. and renamed it after himself. Under Roman control it was strategically located on the Via Egnatia (Egnatian Way), making it a very important city for both military and commercial purposes. In the 1st century A.D. Philippi was said to be “a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony” (Acts 16:12).
“The characteristic of a colony was primarily that it was a miniature resemblance of Rome. The city itself was laid out in the same pattern of Rome, and even the style and architecture were copied extensively. Its government and customs were also like that of the imperial city. Roman law was used…and its constitution was modeled on the municipal constitution of Rome. The coins used in the city bore Roman inscriptions.” (Truth Commentary of Philippians by Walton Weaver, Guardian of Truth Foundation, Copyright 1996)
We read about Paul’s visit to the Macedonian city of Philippi on his second preaching journey in Acts 16:11-40. After Paul received the “Macedonian call” (Acts 16:9-10), he and his travelling companions set sail from Troas in Asia Minor, and crossed over the Aegean Sea. While in the city of Philippi Paul helped to convert Lydia and her family (Acts 16:14-15), and the Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:31-34). These constituted the first recorded converts to Christianity on European soil.
Please read Philippians 1:1-7 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
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