onverted. She
furnished him a home while he continued his work in the city. After
some time there arose great opposition to him and he and Silas were
beaten and put in prison, but through prayer they were released by an
earthquake which also resulted in the conversion of the jailer
(Acts ch. 16). He perhaps visited them again on his journey from
Ephesus to Macedonia (Acts 20 2 Cor 2:12-13; 7:5-6). He spent the
Passover there (Acts 20:6) and received messages from them (Phil.
4:16). They also sent him assistance (Phil. 18) and he wrote them this
letter.

The Character and Purpose of the Letter. It is an informal letter with
no logical plan or doctrinal arguments. It is the spontaneous
utterance of love and gratitude. It is a tender, warm-hearted, loving
friend and brother presenting the essential truths of the gospel in
terms of friendly intercourse. He found in them constant reasons for
rejoicing, and now that Epaphroditus who had brought their aid to him
was about to return from Rome to Philippi, he had an opportunity to
send them a letter of thanks (Phil. 4:18). It is remarkable for its
tenderness, warnings, entreaties and exhortations and should be read
often as a spiritual tonic.

Date. It was written by Paul during his imprisonment at Rome, about A.
D. 62.

Analysis.

Introduction, 1:1-11.

I. Paul's Present Situation and Feeling. 1:12-26.

II. Some Exhortations, 1:27-2:18.

III. He Plans to Communicate with Them, 2:19 end.

IV. Some Warnings, ch. 3.

1. Against Judaizers, 1-16.

2. Against false professors, 17 end.

V. Final Exhortation. 4:1-9.

VI. Gratitude for Their Gifts, 4:10-19.

Conclusion, 4:20 end.

For Study and Discussion. (1) Paul as a good minister, 1:3-8. Paul's
prayer for the Philippians, 1:9-11. (3) The choice between life death,
1:19-26. (4) Humble-mindedness and its rewards as seen in Jesus 2:5-
11. (5) An upright Christian life, 2:12-18. (6) Paul's sense of
imperfection, 3:12-16. (7) Worthy meditations, 4:8-9. (8) Outline the
information the book gives concerning Paul's condition at the time of
the writing. (9) Point out all the teachings of the book on the
necessity of cultivating unselfishness and the blessing derived from
it. (10) The expression of joy and rejoicing. (11) The number of times
our Lord, under different names, is referred to.

Colossians.

The City. It was situated about 100 miles east of Ephesus, and was of
little importance at the ti