SUMMARY
Paul’s imprisonment and the uncertainty about his future prompt him to reflect on his relationship with the believers in Philippi.
ANALYSIS
These verses reveal Paul’s current circumstances and offer a glimpse into his connections with the Philippians. The beginnings of the Christian community in Philippi are also discussed in Acts 16:6-40. The story begins with Paul in the city of Troas in Asia Minor. Paul’s night vision of a man from Macedonia who requests: “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). Paul sets sail across the Aegean Sea, arrives in the seaport city of Neapolis (16:10-11), and travels inland to Philippi, “a leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a Roman colony” (16:12). The dramatic story of Paul and Silas in Philippi features encounters with Lydia, a seller of purple goods (16:13-15) and a demon-possessed girl, whom Paul exorcizes only to incite the rage of her owners, who lose their source of income (16:16-24); the imprisonment of Paul and Silas, the earthquake that releases their shackles, and the response of the jailor and his householdA household is a living unit comprised of all the persons who live in one house. A household would embrace all the members of a family, including servants and slaves. In the book of Acts, stories are told of various persons and their households, like... More, whom Paul baptizes (16:23-34); the city magistrates’ apology for imprisoning Roman citizens and the release of Paul and Silas (16:35-39); and Paul and Silas’s final gathering with Lydia and “the brothers and sisters” before leaving Philippi (16:40).
Situated on the Egnatian Way, the main east-west land and trade route through Macedonia, the community in Philippi learned from travelers about Paul’s imprisonment. Since Paul had introduced them to the gospel, out of gratitude they sent Epaphroditus to minister to Paul’s needs in prison (2:25-30). While Epaphroditus was with Paul, he got seriously ill and nearly died..
When Paul learns of the Philippians’ concern over Epaphroditus’s illness, he writes to them, commending the ministry of Epaphroditus, which exceeded expectations: “Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honor such people, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for those services that you could not give me” (2:30).
See F. Scott Spencer, “Famous Philippians”.
