Who Wrote This Book:  Paul (Phil. 1:1) wrote this book.  There is nothing in the letter, linguistic or historical, which can cause any doubt as to its authenticity.  It was written from prison in the city of Rome (1:7, 13; 4:22).  Paul refers to his imprisonment in 1:7, 13, 14; 2:17.

Date of Writing:    A.D. 61 or 62, possibly early part of 63, after the two years of which Acts 28 makes mention.  The letter was written about the same time as Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Written To:  The letter was written to the church of Philippi and starts with Philippians 1:1

 ¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.

Why It Was Written:  Philippians 1:5-7; 4:16 indicates it is a missionary prayer letter thanking the Philippian Church for their gifts and support, sharing with them the outreach in Rome and presenting prayer requests in their joint–participation in the Gospel.  It is written for personal reasons.  "The frank and hearty tone, the artless form, the cheerful mood even under oppressive circumstances, the practical purport—these all bear a very personal stamp, and make it—to a measure surpassing any other letter of the apostle—a letter, the effusion of the heart to a Church he loved."  The Philippians sent Paul at least four gifts to support his ministry (II Cor. 8:3-4; II Cor. 11:8-9; Phil. 4:10-14, 15-16).  Paul is overjoyed with the encouragement and remembrance of their love for him and his love for them (v. 3-4).

Paul wrote this letter for several reasons:

• He wanted to explain why he was sending Epaphroditus back to them (2:25-30).
• He wanted to let them know of his plan to send Timothy to them (2:19-24).
• He wanted to thank the Philippian church for their concern for him and their generous gifts to him (4:10-20).
• He desired to inform them of his own circumstances and the advancement of the gospel (1:12-26).
•      He wanted to exhort the church to live in humility, fellowship, and unity (1:27-2:11; 4:2-3).
• He also needed to warn them concerning the false teachings of legalism, perfectionism, and careless living (3:1-4:1).

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Key Verses:

Philippians 1:21:  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:27-28:  ²⁷Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, ^[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.  This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

Philippians  2:3-4:  ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.