PHILIPPIANS, EPISTLE TO THE (ante) was referred to by Polyearp (107 A.D.), in his letter to the church at Philippi, as the well-known work of Paul the apostle; acknowl edged by the heretical Marcion, 140, in common with orthodox Christians; quoted by Irentens. Clement of Alexandria, Tertuthan, and in the epistle of the churches of Lyons and Vienna, 177; contained in the Peshito (Syriac) version ; and included in the canonical lists of the Mnratorian Fragment, Eusehins, the council of Laodicea, and the synod of Hippo. It is only in recent times that its genuineness, notwithstanding this abundant and unanimous testimony, has been assailed by criticism and vague conjecture. The general consent of early tradition, and the internal evidence of the epistle itself, show that it was written at Home, near the end of Paul's first imprisonment there; so that as a strain of triumph in his bonds at Rome, it is like his hymn of praise in the stocks at Philippi. The epistle may be divided into three parts. The first part contains the salu tation, expressing the apostle's ardent and grateful attachment to the Philippian Chris tians; his assurance that his sufferings at Rome had resulted in great advantage to the gospel, and joy to himself, seeing that whether.he lived to preach Christ, or died while prosecuting the work, Christ would be honored and his own salvation secured ; also, his affectionate exhortations to the Philippians to honor their profession by a holy life; to be united, zealous, courageous, consecrated, conformed to Christ's humility, diligent in working out their own salvation through the help of God, and consistent in their con duct as the children of God. and the lights of the world, with his commendation of
Timothy, whom he hoped to send soon to them, and of Epapliroditus whom lie was about to send. The second part contains an earnest warning against Judaizing teachers, whom the apostle condemned because of their evil character, bad influence, and vain reliance on .Jewish privileges which had become worthless, and which lie, although as a native Jew he had possessed them all, utterly renounced; as, indeed, he renouncei for Christ all things that could be accounted gain. Pressing on to attain these for himself. he exhorted the Philippians against worldliness and sensuality; adducing as the highest motive that their citizenship was in heaven from which Christ would come again. The third part contains special entreaties to individuals at Philippi; general exhortations to perpetual joy in the Lord, grateful and confiding prayer—with the promise of peace from God which would be like a strong fortress for theirsouls—mid the enthusiastic pursuit of all good things; with grateful acknowledgment of the kindness which the Philippians had shown him, from his first preaching the gospel among them to their last overflowing bounty sent by their special messenger.