BACKGROUND
OF
PHILIPPIANS
www.jesuswalk.com PHILIP II
OR
PHILIP OF
MACEDON
ALEXANDER
THE
GREAT
http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-­‐7/alexander-­‐the-­‐greats-­‐
/ empire-­‐vs-­‐ww2-­‐germany-­‐742552
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great#mediaviewer/File:Alexander-­‐Empire_323bc.jpg BATTLE OF
PHILIPPI
42 BC
•  Last battle after Julius Caesar was assassinated between his successors and his assassins •  Successors were Marc Antony and Octavian •  Assassins were Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius •  Antony and Octavian won the battle •  Octavian later defeated Antony and Cleopatra for control of Roman Empire •  Octavian given title of Augustus in 27 BC ROMAN
COLONY OF
PHILIPPI
•  Philippi was a special city in Roman Empire •  Octavian (Augustus) set Philippi as a colony for retired military personnel, possibly many of the Praetorian Guard •  Was a “mini Rome” with great privileges •  Local governors appointed by Rome •  Residents could own and transfer land •  Right to civil lawsuits and appeal to Caesar •  Freedom from floggings and usually arrest •  Exempt from taxes and tributes to Rome http://biblicaljoy.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/week-­‐24-­‐pauls-­‐second-­‐missionary-­‐journey/ RUINS OF ANCIENT PHILIPPI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippi#mediaviewer/File:Philippi_city_center.jpg GANGITES RIVER NEAR PHILIPPI
(POSSIBLE SITE OF LYDIA’S BAPTISM)
http://greece-­‐is-­‐the-­‐word.blogspot.com/ A PHILIPPIAN PRISON
http://www.bibleplaces.com/philippi.htm LETTER TO
THE
PHILIPPIANS
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Little doubt that Paul is the author Written from prison Debate about during which prison term Paul wrote the letter Could be from Ephesus (53 – 55 AD), Caesarea (57 – 59) or Rome (61 – 63) Most scholars believe it was written from Rome about 61 AD when Paul was under house arrest. Written to thank the Philippians for their gift sent to him Very personal letter from Paul to Philippians Filled with joy and thankfulness